Livingston, NJ

Monday, July 11, 2011

Unwelcome at a Picnics and Everywhere Else



"The cliché of ants showing up at a picnic is well known," says Leonard Douglen, Executive Director of the New Jersey Pest Management Association, "but with thousands of ant species, you can count on them showing up just about everywhere else, too."

Douglen says that one of the largest ant-related problems in New Jersey is Carpenter Ants. "This species does thousands of dollars of property damage every year, particularly to homes. They are largely nocturnal so often go unnoticed, but a single colony of 70,000 or more can move into a home over night. Since they excavate wood to make nests, they rival termites for the damage they inflict."

"Carpenter Ant colonies exist both outside and inside homes thanks to the abundance of trees in the Garden State. When they are on the move, they will take their eggs, larvae and pupae with them," noted Douglen. "Trained pest management technicians inspect for them knowing they prefer structural lines such as a chimney, an I-beam, or a garage door-jam."

There are a number of other ant species that make their home in New Jersey. Hospitals in particular must always guard against Pharaoh ants," noted Douglen, "and they have been known to show up where surgery is performed and in recovery areas. In homes, they like other ants are always on the search for sources of food and anything with sugar is a favorite, but they are also attracted to toothpaste and even soap. Bathrooms are commonly infested by them."

"Ants of any species favor kitchen areas with their abundant sources of food, especially in cabinets filled with cereals and other items. Storing honey or syrup, for example, means that homeowners must ensure that no residue adheres to the bottles. Sugar should be stored in ant-proof containers. Leaving cakes, cookies and other sweets on countertops is an invitation to ants."

Food and water left out for pets are also sources of attraction for ants.

While ants have had millions of years to build resistance to disease they can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria they pick up as they move around.

There are many ant baits available to homeowners and apartment residents, but Douglen notes that "it's rare that do-it-yourself efforts intended to rid a structure of ants is sufficient. Pest management firms are frequently called when such efforts fail."

Among the common species in New Jersey are, in addition to Carpenter and Pharaoh ants, Pavement ants and Odorous House ants. Ants usually nest in soil and summertime affords them warm, moist locations, often in wall voids, under flooring, or near hot water pipes or heating systems. Depending on the weather, they can suddenly appear in buildings if other food sources become unavailable.

"Ant management requires a combination of thorough inspections, sanitation, and chemical methods of control," says Douglen. "We will never be able to eliminate them outdoors, nor should we want to, but steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood they will move from outdoors to indoors. Homes and other structures should caulk cracks and crevices around foundations that provide access, not just from ants, but from rodents as well."

Ants are just one of many species that pest management technicians are extensively trained to identify. Founded in 1941, the New Jersey Pest Management Association has pioneered the education of employees of its member firms. It is affiliated as well with the National Pest Management Association.

Every August the Association sponsors a day of seminars on many aspects of pest control. It takes place on the campus of Cook College, Rutgers University. The Association maintains a website at www.NJPMA..com.

Leonard Douglen

Executive Director

New Jersey Pest Management Association

Livingston, NJ

1-800-524-9942