Tag Archives: ant control

Ants, Carpenter Ants, Commercial Services, Insect Control, News, Pest Control, Pest Eradication

Top Three Ant Pests that Bug NJ Businesses

Pesky Ants
Pesky Ants

Pests come in all shapes and sizes and one of the smallest and most annoying are ants. Not only are they clever, industrious, and master architects,  they can move fast, maneuver into the tiniest crevice, and magicians at infiltrating just about anything and everything.

Types of Ants

Three types of ants you’re likely to see skittering across in a variety of locations such as countertops, sidewalks, driveways, on walls, trees and plants, to name a few, include carpenter ants, pharaoh ants and pavement ants.

Carpenter

While carpenter ants won’t turn down a free meal of goodies, they are most destructive to wood structures. Carpenter ants like to build their nests in hollowed out dwellings where millions – yes millions – create extensive and well-managed and maintained colonies.

Pharaoh

Pharaoh ants and their queen run the show when it comes to massive infestations. These nearly translucent pests are bacteria and pathogen carriers making them dangerous. They prefer sweets but will also chow down on fatty food, grease, and insects.

Pavement

These tiny black bugs are opportunistic feeders and swarm as a group in search of tasty tidbits. They frequently nest under concrete slabs or wedged into cracks and crevices. To eradicate these pests, professional pest control services are the best option.

Contact us at the Stern Environmental Group by mail, phone, or email and let one of our associates help you take care of your pesky pests problem.

Ants, Carpenter Ants, Insect Control, News, Pest Control, Residential Services

Do Carpenter Ants Have a Queen?

Carpenter Ant Control
Carpenter Ant Control

Carpenter ants are an unwelcome sight in any home due to their propensity for causing significant structural damage in moist or rotting wood. Though comprised of thousands of workers, a typically colony houses only one queen, capable of surviving up to 25 years and laying thousands of eggs.

Identifying the queen:
The largest ant in the colony at up to 1 inch, the queen may be dark brown, yellow, red or black in color. Responsible for laying eggs, she sheds her wings after mating, seeking out a nesting site of moist or rotting wood for her young to establish a new colony. She seals herself into the wood, laying an initial brood of 9-16 eggs that will develop into workers and future queens.

The carpenter ant family:

• Winged female swarmers
Born in the spring for mating purposes, these ¾ inch females lose their wings after mating. Each wingless female then attempts to become the queen of a new colony.

• Winged male swarmers
These exist for the sole purpose of mating with female swarmers, dying shortly after accomplishing the task.

• Workers
¼-½ inch long, female workers are sterile and responsible for all activities except egg laying, including caring for the queen and developing ants.

Carpenter ants rapidly deconstructing your home or business? Contact Stern Environmental Group today. Our professionals have the skills and technology to solve your pest problems fast!

Insect Control, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management

The Ants Go Marching One by One

Ants are amazing little creatures. Their determination has inspired folk tales and video games. Their complex societies fascinate scientists and children. But their trailing mini-highways do not gladden the hearts of homeowners.

Basically ants will go wherever they can find consistent sources of food and water. First they usually send out a scout. It’s that lone ant you see scurrying across your kitchen counter. He’s the Kit Carson of the ant world. Head him off at the pass and you may avoid the problem. Clean the surface immediately, and hopefully more ants won’t follow.

But to ants your kitchen is a veritable pirate’s cave full of hidden treasure. Spilled juice that dribbled it’s way under the fridge, bread crumbs, and even spattered oil on the stove. Or teenagers’ rooms with nearly empty soda cans, candy wrappers and perhaps a sticky spoon or plate hidden somewhere – all these call loud and clear to ants from miles away.

To avoid an ant attack, clean up after preparing food and spills. Regularly clean cabinets, counter, stovetop and floors to prevent food buildup. Use vinegar or soapy water to eliminate the scent of food that will attract ants. Be sure to take out the garbage every day and keep it bagged. Ants will inevitably find their way to garbage so keep your bins as far from the house as you can.

Pet food is another ant attractant. Try putting out your pet’s food only for short times during the day. Wipe up spills immediately.

If you have a serious ant infestation, it may be best to call a professional NY, NYC pest control firm.