BEST Ant Removal Near West Linn, Oregon
It doesn’t matter how common it is; an ant infestation just feels embarrassing. You strive to keep your home clean, and despite the effort, ants still find their way inside. It’s gross. And it’s frustrating. And it always seems to happen when you’re about to have guests over. So what do you do to keep these little buggers out of the house for good?
For starters, you call a professional. That’s what folks like us at Aspen Pest Control are here for. Sugar ant infestations in West Linn are an incredibly common occurrence, and we have the processes, experience, and commitment to service that have made us a trusted name in local pest control.
Sugar Ant Description
Size
Sugar ants are quite small, measuring around 2.4-3.3 mm in length. To put it in perspective, they are about the size of a pencil eraser. While tiny, they quickly become noticeable as they swarm around food or march through your West Linn home in a trail.
Color
Sugar ants are typically black.
Smell
It may sound odd, but when crushed, sugar ants release an unpleasant coconut-like odor. This is due to a gland that emits this scent, which is why they are often referred to as odorous house ants.
Telling the Difference: Sugar Ants vs. Carpenter Ants
While sugar ants are small and focused on food, carpenter ants are much larger, typically ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. Carpenter ants are usually black or dark brown, and unlike sugar ants, they tunnel through wood to create nests, which can cause structural damage over time. If you notice ants that are larger, especially near wooden structures, or if you see sawdust or wood shavings around your home, it’s more likely you’re dealing with carpenter ants rather than sugar ants. Additionally, carpenter ants are less likely to be attracted to food, instead preferring damp or decaying wood for nesting.
West Linn, Oregon Ant Removal, Control & Extermination Near You
How did sugar ants get inside my West Linn home?
You’d be surprised. All it takes is a small crack in your foundation or a gap under siding for ants to enter your home and begin establishing a new colony. Sugar ants have unbelievably sensitive receptors on their antennae for detecting glucose, the substance they crave more than anything else in the world.
Once they do get inside, they’ll seek out the dark, humid, and moist corners of your home — think bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens — to establish their colony and their pursuit of every source of sugar in your house.
Will sugar ants harm me or my West Linn home?
If there’s a silver lining to a sugar ant infestation, it’s that, unlike carpenter ants, termites, or fire ants, they tend not to do damage to people’s or pets’ physical well-being or property. Their driver is sugar, and the more they can consume, the better. Secretions from trees often contain glucose (the basis of maple syrup), which attracts ants. If you have a few of these trees on your property, it’s usually only a matter of time until they’ve made their way indoors to where it’s warmer and more abundant for food. That’s where the harm of sugar ants really comes into play. They’re wonderful at inviting themselves over, and even more wonderful at making themselves feel at home.
Can I just get rid of the sugar ants myself?
There are numerous store-bought treatment products available on the market. Typically, these products fall into two basic categories: baiting and quick-kill methods. If you choose to go this route, please carefully read and follow all of these instructions included with the product. Over-the-counter they may be, but they still contain poisons. These poisons can be extremely harmful and even fatal for pets, children, and adults.
If we were to recommend a DIY method, we prefer baiting over quick-kill products. The quick-kill products are superficial in their effectiveness. They kill only the visible sugar ants, leaving those ants in the walls and underground (including the queens) untouched by the treatment. They can also cause colony fragmentation, turning one problem into multiple problems.
Baiting tends to be more effective because it causes ants to take the poison back to the heart of the colony, killing the colony at its source.
How can I prevent sugar ants from getting into my West Linn, OR home?
The best way to keep sugar ants from coming back to your home takes a little bit of effort and a lot of dedication. We’re busy people with a lot of things to take care of throughout the day. Sugar ants are perfectly (but perhaps unknowingly) willing to exploit this whenever they can. By taking care of a few simple things, you can decrease the chances of a sugar ant infestation in your home:
- Keep all food prep and consumption surfaces (above and below) free of food waste, crumbs, debris, and spills.
- Don’t keep dirty dishes in your dishwasher, and empty it shortly after washing.
- Empty your kitchen trash and recycling often and as soon as possible.
- Fix broken window and door seals.
- Rid your property of standing water.
Should I seek a professional for my sugar ant infestation?
Want your West Linn home to be ant- and worry-free again? Call us today. Aspen Pest Control specializes in exterminating sugar ant infestations for folks just like you.
We offer free, no-pressure estimates and same-day service for no extra charge. Our results are 100% guaranteed. We use EPA-approved products that are safe for your family and pets.
We’re so confident in our sugar ant removal approach that we proudly offer a free re-service guarantee. If your sugar ant problem comes back, we’ll come back, too, absolutely free of charge.
Still not sure if you’re looking at a sugar ant?
Ant Exterminators in West Linn, Oregon
Tips For Homeowners
Are Ants Harmful?
In general, sugar ants pose no threat to humans or the integrity of buildings.
Are sugar ants toxic?
Sugar ants are not toxic and do not sting.
Do sugar ants bite?
Although sugar ants have mandibles capable of pinching, it’s rare and not particularly painful. The main concern would be for individuals with severe allergies to their bite.
Can sugar ants harm my home?
Unlike termites and carpenter ants, sugar ants do not cause property damage. They may infest and spoil your food, but they will not affect your home’s structure.
Are Sugar Ants SEASONAL?
Sugar ants are most active from early March to late October.
Thanks to the temperate climate in West Linn, Oregon, the outdoor foraging season in the Pacific Northwest is significantly longer compared to other regions. This cycle stretches from early March to late October, giving sugar ants more time to invade your home, establish colonies, and create a growing ant infestation.
Why do sugar ants enter homes?
Indoors, sugar ants in the Pacific Northwest can continue their life cycle throughout the year. This provides them ample opportunity to seek out food and shelter, while also signaling the rest of the colony to follow suit.
What Type of Ants Do I Have?
Sugar ants and carpenter ants are common pests with distinct differences in behavior, size, and impact on property. Knowing how to tell them apart can help homeowners handle infestations effectively.
Sugar Ants: Small but Persistent
Sugar ants are tiny, usually 1/16 to 1/8 inch long, and light in color. They’re attracted to sweet foods, often invading kitchens and pantries. While they don’t cause structural damage, they can be a nuisance by contaminating food and living in hidden colonies.
Carpenter Ants: Destructive and Larger
Carpenter ants are larger, ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch, and typically black. Unlike sugar ants, they tunnel through wood to create nests, causing potential damage to wooden structures, particularly in damp areas. Look for sawdust or wood shavings to identify an infestation.
Sugar ant control in West Linn, OR with guaranteed results
Why should I call a professional ant exterminator near West Linn, Oregon?
Homeowners often delay contacting a pest control expert due to concerns about cost. Reach out to us for a free, no-pressure inspection and consultation for your West Linn home.
Prevent a sugar ant infestation in your West Linn home
Odorous house ants are common in the Pacific Northwest and often move their nests indoors, leading to ant infestations. What’s more, an odorous house ant colony can have multiple queens and nesting sites, making ant control and removal in West Linn particularly challenging. Multiple nests spread throughout the house can create a headache for homeowners.
Early intervention is key for sugar ant extermination.
Neglecting an ant problem can lead to a larger infestation over time. If left unchecked, ant colonies inside a home can become well-established, making effective control difficult. Early intervention is vital to prevent this. If you’re a West Linn homeowner in need of ant control near you, it’s best to call in professional ant removal specialists. Many over-the-counter solutions may actually exacerbate the problem by disrupting the colony, making the issue worse.
Ant Extermination in West Linn, Oregon
1
INSPECT
Aspen Pest Control’s technicians will arrive at your home near West Linn on time and work with you to identify the issue. Our technicians will inspect the house for pests, their entry points, and the damage they may have caused. The technician will then build a treatment plan based on your needs and budget.
2
Apply products
Aspen Pest Control uses commercial-grade “non-repellent” pest control products on sugar ants here near West Linn. These products are specifically designed to be undetectable to ants (no odor or taste). Consequently, because ants can’t detect products, they can’t avoid them. The pheromone or scent trails remain intact, and our products are gradually taken back to the nest, ultimately breaking the sugar ants’ egg cycle.
3
ONGOING OBSERVATION
Regaining control of your home near West Linn is usually more of a process than an event. Continually examining the sugar ant infestation and corresponding problem areas is required to stop the ant population. Aspen has used its proven method on sugar ants thousands of times successfully. Your sugar ant infestation doesn’t stand a chance when it comes to our professional treatment.
Secure your home near West Linn, OR against ants
100% satisfaction guarantee - Ant Control Near West Linn, OR
We also offer solutions for other household pests:
- Box Elder Bug Treatment
- Carpenter Ant Pest Control Near You
- Mice or Rat Extermination
- Paper Wasp Nest Removals
- Pest Control for Fleas in West Linn
- Spider Pest Control
- Stink Bug Exterminator in West Linn
- Yellow Jacket Nest Removal
- and More!
Call Aspen Pest Control today and eliminate your sugar ant problem.
Talk with an expert ant control & removal technician near West Linn, WA
Vancouver Office:
12104 NE 95th St.
Vancouver, WA 98682
Portland Office:
8305 SE Monterey Ave
Suite 220 Q
Happy Valley, OR 97086
Mailing Address:
13504 NE 84th St
Suite 103 – 263
Vancouver, WA 98682
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