About Ants

Ant Control in Newark Delaware

There is an estimated 22,000 species of ants worldwide.  The oldest ant fossils date back 100 million years.  They are related to bees and wasps and are found on every landmass on Earth, although they especially thrive in warm, moist climates. Ants live in colonies that range in size from several dozen to millions of individuals. Large colonies are made up of various roles or castes, which include workers, soldiers, drones (fertile males), and one or more Queens (fertile females).  Ant colonies can be thought of as superorganisms because they work together as one to support the colony. These colonies can be long-lived.  While worker ants may live 1-3 years, Queens can live up to 30 years.

Ants start their life cycle as an egg.  Once fertilized, it develops through metamorphosis to the larva stage, then pupal stage, and lastly emerges as an adult.  Worker ants are responsible for feeding and caring for ant larvae.  

Ants communicate within the colony using touch, sounds, and pheromones.  They will leave a pheromone, or scented, trail to communicate food sources to other ants in the colony.  Pheromones are also used to communicate other things, like danger, what task groups each ant belongs to, and when to begin raising new Queens for the colony.

Ants that are commonly found in and around the home may range in size anywhere from 1/32”- 3/4”.  Their color can range from yellow to red, brown, or black.  They have 3 body parts, consisting of the head, thorax, and abdomen.  Ants also have pincer-like jaws, of which some species may use to bite, however, most do not.  

There are some situations where ants can be beneficial and others where they may cause damage.  Ants will eat other pests, such as fly and flea larvae, termites, and caterpillars which make them a useful insect to have around at times.  Ants are sometimes found outside in gardens and lawns, where they can tunnel in the ground around trees and plants which causes damage by drying out the root system.  

Here are just a few types of ants that are frequently found in the Newark area and along the eastern United States:

• ​Carpenter Ants are often mistaken for termites.  However, they do not eat wood like termites.  They nest in wood, leaving tunnels and holes which can damage and weaken the walls and structures of your home. 
• Little black ants are shiny, small, and black in color.  Typically only ⅛” in size, these ants are particularly attracted to sweet foods.  They are often found nesting under rocks or wood piles.

Prevention
The best way to keep ants out of your home is to keep a clean house.  Make sure to clean up any crumbs, clean up dirty dishes or put them through the dishwasher, take out the trash often, and clean up spills right away.  Ants have different food preferences throughout the year, ranging from sweets, to fatty foods, to proteins.

Detection
If you see one ant scouting around your house looking for food, you can be sure there are many more that will follow.  Once you have an infestation, you will often find a trail of ants moving along the same line of your floors or walls.  Mounds of dirt outside your home may indicate that a colony has already set up.  
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​Newark Pest Control Can Help!
If you see or suspect an ant infestation, take steps right away to control them.  Some colonies contain tens or hundreds of thousands of ants which can be tough to eradicate.  If you have tried and found over the counter ant control methods to be ineffective, Newark Pest Control can help.  We will do a thorough inspection, both inside and outside your home and implement a plan of action to get your home ant free. 

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Call Now! 302-437-1996