What Are Ants? Ants in Tennessee

Ants are most often identified by their three distinct body regions - their head, thorax, and abdomen. Ants also have antennae and, depending on their exact species, range in size from very small to quite large. These pests exist in a wide variety of colors including black, brown, red, and yellow. The reproductive members of an ant colony are winged and when a colony is mature, these winged ants emerge to find mates and create new colonies.

Are ants dangerous?

Most ant species that you come across are nuisance pests and pose no danger to people, pets, or property. However, some species of ants like carpenter ants are considered to be dangerous because they can cause significant damage to the structure of a home. Other species are responsible for causing damage to electrical equipment, some can transmit serious diseases like salmonella and streptococcus to people, and a few species of ants are aggressive and can bite and sting people and pets.

Why do I have an ant problem?

Ants are found living on properties that offer them easy access to food, water, and shelter. Clogged gutters, open garbage cans, gardens, compost piles, woodpiles, dense vegetation, and pet food, can all attract ants to a property. Once on your property, they can easily find their way into homes through cracks and crevices in exterior walls while foraging for food. They may also invade homes when the weather outside becomes too hot, cold, dry, or wet for them to live comfortably outdoors.

Where are ants commonly found?

Ants can be found nesting both inside and outdoors, as well as in garages, sheds, and other buildings. When outside, ants typically nest along fence lines, in and around garden areas, in the cracks of pavement and sidewalks, in piles of firewood, inside tree stumps, underneath soil and mulch, and underneath fallen trees, tree limbs, or landscaping ties. Once inside, they often nest under floors, inside insulation, in crawlspaces and wall voids, behind large appliances and heating systems, and inside structural wood.

How do I get rid of ants?

The best way to deal with an ant problem is to partner with a pest control professional. Our team of experienced professionals here at HTP Termite & Pest Control, Inc. utilize modern treatments as well as eco-friendly and EPA-registered products to accurately identify the ant species you're dealing with and solve your property’s ant problem for good. At HTP Termite & Pest Control, Inc., we offer effective ant control services for homes and businesses. To learn more about our guaranteed residential pest control services and how they can help protect your West Tennessee home from ant invasions and the problems they cause, reach out to us at HTP today!

How can I prevent ants in the future?

Preventing problems with ants can be a difficult task, but there are several steps you can take in and around your home to discourage them:

• Cut back tree branches and bushes that are touching the outside of your home.
• Seal gaps or cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of your home.
• Make sure that weather stripping is in place around all exterior windows and doors.
• Place door sweeps on all exterior doors and replace any torn window or door screens.
• Create stone or rock barriers between your home’s foundation and any soil or mulch.
• Make sure that outdoor trash cans remain closed and have locking lids.
• Inside your home keep all food (including pet food) in airtight containers or in the refrigerator.
• Wash dirty dishes and remove trash from your home daily.
• Regularly wipe down counters and vacuum floors.

Areas We Serve

We provide ant control in the following areas: