If you’re a Tennessee property owner, you probably already know that ants are a common pest concern. Whether you notice ants on your sidewalk or inside your home, you likely would rather not have to deal with them.

While some ants are just considered nuisance pests, other ant species are dangerous. Also, all ants, regardless of the species, can be invasive. They definitely aren’t pleasant to have around, and they aren’t welcome on your property. Since there are many common species of ants in the area, we’ve collected information on the main species likely to become problematic in or around your home or business.

• Fire ants: This species is one of the most dangerous in Tennessee because they are able to bite and sting. They are reddish-brown and about a fifth of an inch long. While usually found outside in dry fields, they can get closer to buildings sometimes. 
• Pharaoh ants: This species is considered dangerous because they are one of the few that can transmit diseases. They are quite small at only 1/16 of an inch long. They are a pale yellow color. They are also known for being one of the most invasive species.
• Odorous house ants: This is a small species that is dark brown or black. However, the best way to identify them is by the foul smell of rotten coconuts they emit when crushed. 
• Pavement ants: These ants look like the “classic” ant as they are small, black, and usually found outside around the cracks in the pavement. They are considered nuisance pests.

 Effective And Easy Tips To Prevent Ants

For many reasons, including health risks and because of the invasive nature of ants, taking steps to keep them out is important. Prevention goes a long way and is much easier than trying to remove ants when they get inside. While these steps can’t completely guarantee that ants won’t get in, they can reduce the risk of an infestation. First, you should address things that attract ants to your property. Here are some ways to do so:

1. Make sure to store pet food in airtight containers.
2. Clean up any food or drink spills right away, especially outdoors.
3. Take out your trash often.
4. Vacuum and sweep on a regular basis.
5. Clean your kitchen and pantry often.
6. Store food in secure containers when possible.
7. Avoid eating outside or leaving food outside.

Tips For Keeping Ants Out

Now that you’ve addressed underlying issues that draw ants in, now you should focus on how to keep ants out of the building. While this can be difficult given how small ants are, taking these steps can still help.

1. Reduce access points by fixing broken screens in doors or windows.
2. Install door sweeps and weather stripping.
3. Try to fill up any cracks or crevices in the walls.
4. Make sure that the home’s foundation doesn’t have holes or cracks.

How To Protect Your Property From Ants

Whether you’re trying to prevent or eliminate nuisance ants or more dangerous species, the pest control experts at Proven Pest Management are here to provide ongoing advice and assistance. As leaders in the industry who provide high-quality services at affordable prices, our trained technicians can handle any ant infestation no matter how invasive. We also provide ant-prevention options to help you protect your property before a problem even begins. Give us a call today to find out more or to book your free inspection.