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Ant Prevention Tips For Bethesda Homeowners

Jan 16, 2024

Ants are known for being a nuisance. Small in size yet mighty in number, they are often seen on sidewalks, in sandboxes, and crashing picnics. However, despite their small stature, ants can wreak a lot of havoc in our homes. There are a few key facts that every Bethesda homeowner should know in order to keep their home ant-free.

How To Identify Ants

There are over 12,000 ant species in the world, and quite a few live in Maryland. The two species you are most likely to encounter in the Bethesda area are the odorous house ant and the carpenter ant. Ants are narrow insects with a hard exoskeleton and a body made up of three sections: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. They have six legs, a set of antennae, and a set of pincers, which are part of their mandible.


Carpenter ants are typically dark brown to black in color with bent antennae. Their heads resemble a heart shape, while their abdomen is an oval. On the other hand, odorous house ants tend to be brown or black with rounded heads and abdomens that end in a point. They are much smaller than carpenter ants and, when crushed, the odorous house ant emits a terrible stench. 

Things That Attract Ants

Now that you know what you’re up against, it is best to figure out what could be attracting these ants to your Bethesda home. Carpenter ants are attracted to wet wood. They chew and burrow through the damp wood in order to create their nests. They prefer to build their nest in between walls or beneath floorboards. Once inside, carpenter ants will continue to chew, as they are instinctually driven to continue growing their home. 


Odorous house ants are attracted to food, particularly sugar; in fact, some people even call odorous house ants sugar ants. Odorous house ants will move their nests as often as needed in order to be close to their food source, even if that means moving into your Bethesda home.


Both species of ant are attracted to yard debris. Leaf litter, logs, boards, and dense vegetation are all welcome signs to ants. Pet food and animal feed, crumbs, and standing water also attract ants to your property.

5 Ant Prevention Tips

There are a few tips that could help Bethesda residents stop an ant infestation before it even begins:



  1. Get rid of water leaks inside of your house and outside of your property. Check around pipes, basements, crawl spaces, and attics for any leaking pipes. 
  2. Keep pet bowls up and away when your pets are done eating. Store dry pet food in a sealed container to keep ants outside of the container.
  3. Keep your home clean and tidy. Avoid leaving crumbs and clutter around the house that may attract ants.
  4. Close up any crevices or gaps where ants may gain access to your home.
  5. Remove debris from the outside of your home. Trim overgrown lawns, cut back trees, and rake leaf litter away.

How Ant Control For Your Home Works

If your home is already past the prevention stage, there is still hope for ant control for your Bethesda home. The surefire way to get rid of pesky ants is to partner with a professional like Pestechs. Pestechs is family-owned and family-operated; we are equipped with more than 20 years of service and knowledge to help get your home pest-free. For your ant problem, Pestechs inspects your home and puts together a treatment plan that is customized to your particular home’s problem. Not only do we offer year-round treatments, but we also offer follow-ups to ensure that you are well taken care of. Give Pestechs a call today!

What To Do About A Termite Infestation On Your Bethesda Property

16 Jan, 2024
Pest Control in Bethesda is a lively and thriving market! Our proximity to the water and our climate are perfect for all sorts of critters. Sometimes, we deal with an abundance of wildlife and other nuisance animals. More commonly, we deal with insects that use our arable soil, proximity to the sea, and our climate to thrive. We have a decent amount of woodland, too – perfect for budding insect populations to grow and expand into populated areas. Today, we're looking at one of the most common and problematic animals in all of pest control: the termite.

Is DIY Termite Control Worth The Time And Hassle In Bethesda?

16 Jan, 2024
Homeowners often notice the presence of small, ant-like insects known as termites within their homes or other structures on their properties. Termites are problematic pests that primarily consume cellulose, a fibrous substance found in wood, cardboard, and similar materials. Termites benefit the environment by breaking down dead trees and other vegetation, which returns nutrients to the soil; however, estimates suggest that termites create several billion dollars in annual property damage across the U.S. Is termite damage covered by insurance? In most cases, property insurance policies will contain a clause that specifically excludes termite-related damage from coverage. The majority of newly constructed homes receive “pre-treatment” for termites; however, these properties often become increasingly vulnerable to termite invasions years later. Eastern subterranean termites that construct underground nests are the primary species found in this region. The workers of a termite colony remain very active, measure roughly ¼ of an inch long, have six legs and two antennae, and appear in cream or somewhat translucent colors. Have termites invaded a part of your property? A Bethesda pest control company like Pestechs maintains knowledge of how to get rid of subterranean termites . We will also assist with identifying other existing property conditions that might attract these wood-destroying creatures.

The Easiest Way To Tackle An Ant Infestation Inside Your Bethesda Home

16 Jan, 2024
Ants are one of the most common pests found in homes in our area. People often assume they are only a nuisance, but some ants can cause much trouble when they move into our houses. Learning the dangers that ants bring into your home can help you decide when to seek ant pest control services near you. Bethesda pest control companies know how challenging ant pest control can be. Ant colonies multiply quickly and can become quite large. A multifaceted approach is necessary to eradicate these pests and keep them from returning. Read on to learn more about the ants that most often invade Bethesda homes, what attracts them and how they can get in. We’ll help you find the best ant control solutions for your specific situation to get rid of ants for good.

The Best Way To Keep Cockroaches Out Of Your Bethesda Home

16 Jan, 2024
Cockroaches are a common pest that can be difficult to eliminate from your home. Professional pest control in Bethesda can eliminate cockroaches and prevent them from returning in the future. Pestechs pest control provides a professional cockroach remedy that utilizes the latest technology combined with special programs designed to meet customer needs. Most importantly, their experts are adept at identifying specific cockroach types and crafting an appropriate solution to prevent them from taking over your home.

What To Do About Bed Bugs In Your Bethesda Home

16 Jan, 2024
Bed bugs are an annoying nuisance that, once entrenched, are difficult to eliminate from your home. To get rid of bed bugs once and for all, you'll need to utilize professional pest control in Bethesda. The experts at Pestechs pest control use a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical pests themselves as well as the conditions that allow them to thrive.

Rodent Control Done The Right Way For Your Bethesda Home

16 Jan, 2024
Bethesda is one of the most beautiful, thriving communities in the Washington, D.C. region. Nevertheless, along with its liveliness and history come uninvited visitors like rodents. If you need pest control in Bethesda to get rid of rodents in your home , keep reading to find the solution.

What To Do About Subterranean Termites In The Washington Metropolitan Area

16 Jan, 2024
Do you value the condition of your home? For most people, their home is the most expensive thing they own. This kind of weight usually drives individuals to do everything in their power to keep things in tip-top shape. One way you can do this with your home and property is to keep it safe from subterranean termites and termite damage. Here are some things you should know about subterranean termites in the Washington Metropolitan Area and how to keep your property safe.

How To Completely Get Rid Of Mice In Your Washington Metropolitan Area Home

16 Jan, 2024
When mice move in, they can be a nightmare to remove. Learning how to get rid of mice relies on understanding proper prevention techniques and finding the best pest control for mice you can access in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

How Did Bed Bugs Get Into My Washington Metropolitan Area Home?

16 Jan, 2024
Bed bugs can be tricky pests to deal with due to their small size and expert abilities in infiltrating your home. If you want to know how to get rid of bed bugs , it is important to learn the answer to the question of how do you get bed bugs in the first place.

How Bad Is It To Have Cockroaches In My Culpeper Home?

12 Jan, 2024
Insects and creatures will never back down from trying to invade your Culpeper home. Your property has a wealth of vital survival essentials, such as warmth, food, and water. That said, professional pest control is always needed. Critters can wreck personal effects and buildings and spread germs that lead to illnesses. Cockroaches, for instance, are especially risky to deal with because they rapidly multiply. Cockroaches are such adamant invaders that they’ll even target hygienic places. You can’t bank on sparse food portions and severe weather to discourage them because they can live through that. Find out more about their dangers now and how to keep cockroaches away . Pestechs can assist you with innovative cockroach control products.
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