Ants Again

Do you have ants again? Although we've blogged about ants here before, they are such a common problem in San Diego we thought they deserved another look. Among the several varieties of ants in Southern California, Argentine ants are by far the most numerous. First, a little background.

Argentine ants were brought to the United States from Brazil in coffee shipments in the late 1890's. They are prolific breeders, so they quickly established nests across the southern states. They are also relatively aggressive among other insects, very effective in outnumbering and overtaking other varieties of ants. They are survivors! Around  your  home, you may have multiple colonies containing easily a million or more individual ants. Because all Argentine ants in this country came from the same colonies originally found in New Orleans, they can recognize each other and team up to form super-colonies, causing problems for home owners as they invade in search of food and water.

This tiny terrors can be stirred up by changes in weather. When we experience draught conditions, they may be in the house looking for water. When it rains, their nest may have been disturbed. Or perhaps you just left a crumb on the counter that was particularly attractive. Ants send "scouts" out looking for food. The scouts then make a trail from the nest to the food source - and all the ant cousins follow. Knowing this can help you break the trail and send the ants back outside. Empty trash containers in the house often, use food containers with tight lids, keep pet dishes clean, and follow any trails that may appear until you find the point of entry into the house. Some household detergents or window-cleaning sprays will help erase the scent scouts leave for others to follow. But if you use indoor bait stations, be sure  you do not spray detergents or chemicals near the bait, or ants will refuse it. Inspect caulk around sinks and windows, repairing any breaches. 

It is impractical to try to eliminate all ants outdoors, but some precautions can help keep them out of  your house. Outside, it is a good idea to check for cracks and crevices around the foundations where ants might enter. Caulk here too, as well as around places where pipes or wires enter the house. Avoid planting fruit trees too close to the house, and keep grass and mulch at least a few inches from foundations. Trim tree branches and vines away from the roof. Eliminate standing water and do not keep wood piles next to the house. Ant stakes may be useful as baits outdoors. If you have been diligent in trying to keep the ants out and feel you are losing the battle -  you are not alone! San Diego homeowners fight ants year 'round, but especially in summer months. If  you can't solve the problem yourself, call in a professional. New products help pest control companies do a better job in stemming the tide of these aggressive and populous pests. To watch a time-lapse video of ants tunneling  in an ant farm, click here.