Ants

What is an ant?

There are approximately 14,000 different species of ants in the world; the most common New York ants include the odorous house ant, the pavement ant, the carpenter ant, and the pharaoh ant. Ants are small, social insects that live in large colonies. A small area can easily support thousands of ants; in fact, there can be tens of thousands of ants in one colony, and several colonies in the same area. This causes contact with humans to occur very frequently.

Why are they in my house?

An ant has one singular purpose in life; to care for and protects its colony. The three most important things to an ant are food, moisture, and shelter. Typically, about 10% of the colony spends their time foraging. These are most likely the ants that you see. They are searching your house for food, water, and harborages.

Are ants dangerous?

The most common ants in New York are considered nuisance pests, and are not dangerous to humans or pets. However, carpenter ants make their nests in wood, and a large colony can cause structural damage.

What does it take to get rid of ants?

It is extremely difficult to get rid of ants once an infestation is established. The ants you see are only a small portion of the entire colony; more than likely less than 10%. To eliminate them, you must find where the ants are coming from and eliminate the entire colony, including the queen. The main colony may not even be located on your property. It is highly recommended that you call a pest control professional. The technicians at Parkway are highly trained in the correct techniques needed to successfully eliminate an ant infestation.

How soon can you get here?

At Parkway, we understand that it is important to you to take care of your pest problem as soon as possible; therefore it is important to us, as well. Emergency and same day service is available, and in most cases we can be there the very next day.

Is the treatment safe?

Here at Parkway Pest Services, we pride ourselves on being Green Shield Certified, and we use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, meaning treatments are much safer for you and your family. IPM techniques include far fewer uses of chemicals, using them only as a last resort. Instead, we focus on baiting and the exclusion of pests.

How can I prevent a future infestation?

Elimination of food sources and entry points can help, but ants can be extremely difficult to prevent. Our Gold Package provides you with constant protection from all species of ants. Contact us for more information.