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close up of black ants on a block of sugar in Woodland Hills Homes CA

What Attracts Ants to Woodland Hills Homes & What You Can Do About It

There are many species of ants in Woodland Hills California that can make their way into your home. But there are usually only a few varieties that cause problems for local homeowners. These include black ants that enter your kitchen and fire ants that can form mounds in your backyard and be a problem for children and the elderly.

Seeing a few ants in your home may be an early indicator that there is an infestation on the way. If you see any ants in your home, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Bugs A to Z. Our team can perform a thorough inspection to identify any entry points and treat your home both inside and outside to ensure you are fully protected from ants of all varieties. Additionally, we can treat the ants in your backyard if you have fire ants.

If you’re wondering what attracts ants to your home and you’d like to learn more, keep reading… 

Types of Ants in Woodland Hills?

Below are some of the most common ant species that we find in Woodland Hills and the surrounding areas.

Acrobat Ants: Acrobat ants are given their name because of their ability to lift their abdomen up in the air which resembles acrobatics. These ants range in color from light brown to black and have a heart-shaped abdomen which is very notable when compared to other species of ants.

Pharaoh Ants: Pharaoh ants are light brown to tan in color in common in commercial establishments. Their colonies can be in the many thousands and they can be a big problem for business owners since they have a habit of contaminating surfaces.

Fire Ants:  Most people in California are very familiar with fire ants. They have a very distinctive red color and they have a bite that you don’t forget. Fire ants form colonies in the backyard often and can be a problem for both children and the elderly if they accidentally disturb a colony of fire ants.

Carpenter Ants:  Carpenter ants behave similar to termites. They have a habit of burrowing into wood and can inflict structural damage on your property. If carpenter ants are discovered, these wood destroying insects should be exterminated as soon as possible.

Odorous House Ants: These ants like to live in moist areas and termite damaged woods. They are given their name because when smashed they release a foul odor. These are not ants that will bite you but they can be a problem for homeowners for many reasons including the fact that they contaminate food.

What Attracts Ants to Woodland Hills Homes

All pests are in search of food, water, and shelter. If they can find one or more of these ingredients around your property, they will settle down and form a colony.

Water 

If your house has any available water sources for ants, this is something you should have repaired right away. Things like leaky pipes will not only attract ants to your Woodland Hills property, they will also attract other pests such as cockroaches and rodents to name a few. If you have any leaky pipes or standing water around your home, make sure to get it taken care of right away.

Food

Ants are also always in search of food. Sources such as uncovered trash cans, piles of rubbish in your yard, grease, sugary foods and drinks, and even crumbs on the counter will attract ants. It often starts with a few explorers and then once food is located, the entire colony will begin to follow. 

Shelter 

Ants are always in search of shelter as well. Many ants will form underground tunnels and colonies if they are allowed to thrive on your property. If you do not have a perimeter treatment around your home, this makes it easy for ants and other pests to find their way inside where they can gain access to food, water, and shelter.

What to Do If You Notice Ants

If you discover ants around your Woodland Hills home or business, it’s a good idea to get in contact with a professional pest control company as soon as possible. One or two ants can quickly become a problem for you. Once ants find their way into your house and begin releasing pheromone trails, you will have thousands of ants in your home very soon after. 

To help prevent this from happening, follow these tips: 

  • Get rid of any food source that could attract ants. 
  • Properly seal trash cans. 
  • Clean counters regularly. 
  • Seal up and fix any water sources and leaky pipes. 
  • Avoid leaving dirty dishes laying around. 
  • Eliminate yard clutter. 

If you’re doing all of the above and you still have ants, then it’s time to get in contact with a professional pest control company.

Solve Your Ant Problem Today!

Ants will form colonies on your property when they have access to food, water and shelter. Their numbers will expand very quickly and they can cause many problems for Woodland Hills home and business owners. Reach out to bugs A to Z For assistance with your ant and other pest problems today. Our certified pest control experts can quickly eliminate ants from your property and ensure your property is protected from all other common pests. Give us a call today to get started.