Ants have replaced roaches as the number one pest problem in America, and it is a common pest found in many homes and businesses. Researchers have discovered approximately 10,000 species worldwide, and they feel they have only discovered about half so far. In North America alone there are about 200 species of ants, of which only a handful ever become pest problems to home or business owners in the St. Louis area.
Ants live in colonies. These colonies range in size from several hundred to several thousand insects. In some cases they can divide and have “satellite” colonies in one structure. The colony is divided into three distinct social groups known as a caste system, including worker ants, soldier ants and reproductive ants. Most commonly, the actual home or business pests are the worker ants, as they are responsible for locating and gathering food. The ants leave a scent pheromone on the trail as they forage so they can easily find their ways back to the main ant colony. The diet of most ant species is the same, consisting of sugar, starch and protein. They tend to feed on sugar in the spring and prefer protein in the fall and winter.
Elimination of an ant pest problem in your home or business requires a comprehensive pest control program that is designed to eliminate the ant colony.
