Carpenter ants can be aggressive, but another reason you should contact carpenter ant pest control is the risk of disease or infection. Now, ants do not spread or carry illnesses the same way as other pests, like fleas or ticks, but they can transport bacteria on their bodies and in their bites.

Understanding Possible Illnesses and Infections Stemming From Ants

Ants do not carry diseases in the same way as other pests, but they can still cause illnesses. The three ways carpenter ants can cause disease or infection are through cross-contamination, food-borne illnesses, and bites.

1. Cross-Contamination

Ants can find ways into your home that may be imperceptible to the human eye. Even larger carpenter ants can invade your space easily. If you see one or two ants, there are likely hundreds more, which is why pest control services recommend acting quickly once you find even one ant in your house.

Ants constantly search for food and water sources, and their search doesn’t stop once they enter your home. The problem comes from where they look. Ants will search your garbage, toilets, sink drains, and many other unsanitary locations. While walking through these areas, the insects collect bacteria and other contaminants. They then transfer those bacteria to cleaner areas and food sources, meaning you may ingest or touch a contaminated source and become ill.

Cross-contamination will continue as long as there is an ant infestation in your home. The only practical and feasible way to eradicate the problem is by hiring a professional service.

2. Food-Borne Illnesses

While ants can transmit bacteria from other areas of your house to cleaner surfaces, the insects can also bring bacteria from outside the home. The insects can carry several food-borne diseases into a house, including salmonella, staph, E. coli, strep, Shigella, Clostridium, and various other fungi.

If ants gain access to your food supply, which they likely will, contamination can occur instantaneously. The transmission can occur in a pantry or even on the food you are currently eating. Households with children or immunosuppressed individuals must be extra cautious and take any sign of an infestation seriously.

3. Bites

Ants have powerful bites. Anyone who experiences an ant bite can explain how disproportionate the sting of the bite is to the size of the insect. One reason an ant bite is so painful is because of the venom deposited at the bite site. Most people have minimal reactions to ant bites other than the initial pain; however, some people experience swelling, burning, and itching sensations from the site, especially if they are allergic.

If the venom penetrates the skin, a victim can experience an infection or other adverse reactions. Some ant species provide worse bites than others; for example, fire ants have one of the worst insect bites imaginable, which can cause anaphylactic shock.

Hiring Professional Services for Property and Family Protection

Carpenter ant removal requires professional help. While many big box stores offer commercial pest control products for sale, it is not possible or practical for a homeowner to eliminate an entire infestation using DIY methods and products. Carpenter ants establish massive colonies and helicopter colonies, meaning you probably have more than one infestation site in your house. Eliminating the entire colony requires an educated and coordinated attack, which a residential pest control service can provide.

Have you noticed carpenter ants outside your house but near the structure? Have you seen smaller ants inside your house? The amount of ant activity in and around your house can indicate a possible infestation. Contact Truly Nolen Canada to schedule a home inspection and learn what you can do to protect your property and your family.