Protect Your Home and Health With Our Ant Removal and Control Services
Ant infestations can be detrimental to your home as well as your health. Many people think that ants are simply a nuisance, but they can spread diseases and destroy the structure of your home.
The first step in eliminating ants is to identify the species. Each species has specific weaknesses and behaviors. Understanding ant biology and the species is critical to developing the most effective pest control strategy possible.
Most do-it-yourself ant control methods prove to be ineffective. The Oregon Insect and Rodent Control experts can help with ant control and recommend the best solution for your ant problem.
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SE Portland Ant Extermination
One of the most common infesters in local homes are ants.
The internet is packed with ways to manage these pests, but applying these strategies effectively often requires a professional.
As expert ant exterminators, we use a combination of preventative measures, sprays, and bait to manage your ant problem. Give us a call to set up a consultation.
Carpenter Ant Exterminator
Carpenter ants are sometimes confused with termites, but there are differences in appearance.
Because of the complex behavior of carpenter ants and the damage they cause, it is crucial to consult with a professional to ensure that they are dealt with effectively.
In our work as carpenter ant exterminators, data helps us understand the most effective means of managing an infestation. Here are a few facts that may assist your understanding of these pests and how best to deal with them.
Colony Size: Usually about 3,000 adults
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Length | Range in size from 1/5 to 3/4 inch |
| Appearance | Sometimes winged, sometimes not. Large abdomen and head, with a small thorax. |
| Breeding | Carpenter ants produce large numbers of queens and males during late summer. They emerge from nests the following spring for their nuptial flights. When carpenter ant nests are indoors, mating swarms become trapped inside. |
| Where they live | Common places to sight carpenter ants are cabinets, sinks, dishwashers, rolled-up towels, bathroom tubs, sink and toilet areas, or other places where moisture is abundant. On a bright, sunny day, ants may be seen walking randomly through different areas of the house. |
| Food Source | Contrary to what you’d expect, carpenter ants don’t eat wood. They prefer sweet things like honey, sugar, jelly, and so on. |
| Behavior Notes | May bite if provoked, which can puncture the skin. |
| Signs of presence |
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| Risks | Carpenter ants damage wood by excavating and creating tunnels. The longer a colony is present in a structure, the greater the damage that can be done. If structural wood is weakened, carpenter ant damage can be dangerous and expensive to repair. |
If you have seen carpenter ants, call us today! OIRC carpenter ant experts will locate their nest and handle the problem.
Sugar Ant Exterminator
OIRC sugar ant exterminators are skilled at managing an infestation. Here are a few facts that may assist your understanding of these pests and how they are best dealt with.
Colony SizeOn average 10,000 workers and several queens.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Color | Brown and black |
| Length | 1/16 to 1/8 inches long |
| Appearance | Small black dots, unless you look closely. The thorax has no spines, and the petiole has one segment which, when viewed from above, is hidden by the rest of the abdomen. When alarmed, the workers scurry around with their abdomens raised in the air. |
| Breeding | Sugar ants swarm to mate from early May through mid-July, and also mate in the nest, forming new colonies by “budding” off the original colony. Each queen lays an egg a day. There are seven generations per year; workers and queens can live for several years. |
| Where they live | Sugar ants often nest outdoors under stones, logs, and in the nests of larger ants. They can also nest indoors in wall or floor voids, and around heat sources. They usually invade structures during rainy periods after honeydew on plants has washed off. |
| Food Source | They prefer sweets, although they will eat almost any household food. |
| Behavior Notes | They usually travel along established trails to gather food and bring it back to the colony. |
| Signs of presence | They will swarm on food (even crumbs, spills, and stains) that has been left out. |
| Risks | Sugar ants can carry bacteria which contaminate food. Sugar ants do not damage structures when they build their colonies. |
When we spray as a sugar ant control technique, we are careful to ensure minimal health risks.
We then spray in each crack, crevice, and along the trails ants commonly follow to ensure they are both repelled and exterminated at the source.
If you’ve had to be on the lookout for every loose crumb lately, now is the time to call in an ant exterminator so you can relax.
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