Ants are frustrating pests to deal with. These tiny invaders can show up suddenly, marching in long lines across your kitchen counter or swarming your backyard. If you have been dealing with a persistent ant issue, considering letting the experts at Pointe Pest Control intervene. These experts are quite knowledgeable about ant behavior and they use this knowledge to determine the right treatment approach against them. Trying to deal with ants on your own might not result in complete elimination. So, why are ants hard to eliminate?
They Live in Huge Colonies
One of the reasons ants are hard to eliminate is their numbers. A single ant colony can contain thousands or even millions, of ants. The few ants you see on your floor are only a small fraction of the whole problem. Even if you manage to kill the ones you see, there are thousands more hiding in walls, underground, or in other sneaky places. Unless you destroy the entire colony, the problem will not go away.
They Have Multiple Nests
Some ants build more than one nest, which makes getting rid of them even harder. If you destroy one nest, another colony might already be thriving somewhere else nearby. Odorous house ants, which are common in Algonquin, are known for setting up multiple nests in different places. They will move from one spot to another if they feel threatened, making it nearly impossible to wipe them out completely without professional help.
They Send Out Scouts
Ants are always on the lookout for food. They send out scout ants to search for crumbs, spills, and other tasty treats. If a scout finds something good, it leaves behind a scent trail for the rest of the colony to follow.
DIY Methods Do Not Always Work
Many people try store-bought sprays or home remedies to fight ants, but these often only provide temporary relief. Spraying kills the ants you see, but it does not reach the colony.
Some ant species, like Argentine ants, are even known to bud when they sense danger. This means the colony splits into multiple smaller colonies, making the infestation even worse. Instead of eliminating the problem, DIY methods can sometimes cause ants to spread even further.
They Can Go Dormant in Winter
In Algonquin, winters get cold, but that does not mean ants disappear completely. Some species go dormant, meaning they slow down but don’t die. They might move deeper into walls, under floors, or into other hidden areas, waiting for warmer weather.
They Reproduce Quickly
Ant colonies grow fast. A single queen can lay thousands of eggs. In some species, there are multiple queens in one colony. This means even if you manage to kill some ants, new ones are constantly hatching to replace them. Ants are also great at adapting. If they lose a food source, they will search for another. If they lose one nest, they will build a new one nearby.
They Work Together as a Team
Ants are social insects, which means they work together to survive. If one part of the colony is under attack, the others respond quickly. Some ants even take on the role of rescuers, helping injured or trapped ants get back to safety. This teamwork makes them incredibly resilient.
They Build Their Nests in Hard-to-Reach Places
Ants do not always build their nests in obvious spots. Some colonies are underground, others are inside walls, and some even live inside rotting wood. Because they are great at hiding, it can be difficult to locate and destroy their main nest. If you do not eliminate the queen and the rest of the colony, the infestation will keep coming back.
