Ant Prevention Tips For Bethesda Homeowners

Ants are known for being a nuisance. Small in size yet mighty in number, they are often seen on sidewalks, in sandboxes, and crashing picnics. However, despite their small stature, ants can wreak a lot of havoc in our homes. There are a few key facts that every Bethesda homeowner should know in order to keep their home ant-free.

There are over 12,000 ant species in the world, and quite a few live in Maryland. The two species you are most likely to encounter in the Bethesda area are the odorous house ant and the carpenter ant. Ants are narrow insects with a hard exoskeleton and a body made up of three sections: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. They have six legs, a set of antennae, and a set of pincers, which are part of their mandible.

Carpenter ants are typically dark brown to black in color with bent antennae. Their heads resemble a heart shape, while their abdomen is an oval. On the other hand, odorous house ants tend to be brown or black with rounded heads and abdomens that end in a point. They are much smaller than carpenter ants and, when crushed, the odorous house ant emits a terrible stench. 

Now that you know what you’re up against, it is best to figure out what could be attracting these ants to your Bethesda home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wet wood. They chew and burrow through the damp wood in order to create their nests. They prefer to build their nest in between walls or beneath floorboards. Once inside, carpenter ants will continue to chew, as they are instinctually driven to continue growing their home. 

Odorous house ants are attracted to food, particularly sugar; in fact, some people even call odorous house ants sugar ants. Odorous house ants will move their nests as often as needed in order to be close to their food source, even if that means moving into your Bethesda home.

Both species of ant are attracted to yard debris. Leaf litter, logs, boards, and dense vegetation are all welcome signs to ants. Pet food and animal feed, crumbs, and standing water also attract ants to your property.

There are a few tips that could help Bethesda residents stop an ant infestation before it even begins:



1. Get rid of water leaks inside of your house and outside of your property. Check around pipes, basements, crawl spaces, and attics for any leaking pipes. 
2. Keep pet bowls up and away when your pets are done eating. Store dry pet food in a sealed container to keep ants outside of the container.
3. Keep your home clean and tidy. Avoid leaving crumbs and clutter around the house that may attract ants.
4. Close up any crevices or gaps where ants may gain access to your home.
5. Remove debris from the outside of your home. Trim overgrown lawns, cut back trees, and rake leaf litter away.

If your home is already past the prevention stage, there is still hope for ant control for your Bethesda home. The surefire way to get rid of pesky ants is to partner with a professional like Pestechs. Pestechs is family-owned and family-operated; we are equipped with more than 20 years of service and knowledge to help get your home pest-free. For your ant problem, Pestechs inspects your home and puts together a treatment plan that is customized to your particular home’s problem. Not only do we offer year-round treatments, but we also offer follow-ups to ensure that you are well taken care of. Give Pestechs a call today!