Everything You Need to Know About Ant Infestation

Saudi Arabia is a desert country that witnesses high temperatures throughout the year. In summer, the temperature can even go above 120^oF. Because of this hot climate, the region also houses a large number of pests and insects that are a menace and cause various types of problems. For example, there were around 6,000 cases of dengue fever reported in Saudi Arabia in 2015, leading to the death of 6 people.

It is not just mosquitoes that are causing a nuisance in the region. Ants are also severe trouble makers. According to an article in ResearchGate, Samsum ants or black ants, which are common in Saudi Arabia, can induce anaphylaxis. This is a serious, life threatening allergic reaction. So, just like mosquitoes, it is important to take an ant infestation seriously as well. Here’s a look at the different types of ant that could infest your home and how to get rid of ants.

Home Infesting Ants

• Black Carpenter Ants: This is among the most common home invader species in the Kingdom. They usually invade homes for food. These ants are nocturnal in nature and come out from their nests at night in search of food. In their natural environment, they help dead and decaying trees by speeding up the process. But when inside a house, they tend to target wooden structure to build their nests, thereby causing structural damage. These ants don't sting but they can manage a sharp bite, which can become irritating, since they tend to inject formic acid when they bite.
• Little Brown Ants: There are many types of small brown ant species that are difficult to tell apart for home owners. They include odorous house ants, Argentine ants, pharaoh ants and so on. One or the other or all of them can infest your home. These ants are organized species, dominated by a queen. They venture into homes to expand their colonies and also in search of food. They can feed on anything and everything in the house, including fats, carbohydrates, oils, etc. These ants generally form colonies under the floor, under cabinets or in cracks in the wall.

Prevention and Elimination

The main thing to keep in mind is that ants infest houses to gather food. Therefore, the way to prevent an infestation is by not leaving any unattended food sources. Also, keep in mind that mind that they can climb to any height, so an open box of cereal kept in a top cupboard would also be sufficient to invite them into your house. Once you are sure about an infestation, the ideal ways of removing them is using insecticidal bait, sprays and ant powders. For thorough cleaning, it is advisable to call in professional pest control. They will not only know how to get rid of ants, they can also advise you on prevention.

Common Insects in Saudi Arabian Households & How to Get Rid of Them

Being predominantly a desert, Saudi Arabia sees temperature increases to above 120 degrees in the summer. The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia recorded 6,000 cases of dengue fever in 2015. It led to the death of as many as six people. It is seen as a more dangerous threat for the country than the Zika virus at present.

The growing number of pests and diseases has given a boost to the pesticide and agro-chemical market in the country. The consumption of insecticides reached over 3,000 tonnes of active ingredients in 2014. This industry is expected to see a compound annual growth of 4.1% by 2020, due to the outperformance of agricultural industry.

If you have small children at home, then things become more difficult to manage. Even the smallest insects, like ants, can cause some harm. The question is, how to get rid of ants or any other insect for that matter? Here are a few insects that are commonly found in households and ways to eliminate them.

Flies

They may not be the most dangerous pests but they are definitely the most annoying ones. They can be found in food scraps, open septic tanks, lawn clippings and dirty benches and tables.

Diseases Caused:

• Salmonellosis
• Trachoma
• Shingellosis

How to Get Rid of Flies?

• Wrap food nice and tight, rather than leaving it open
• Empty all bins on a regular basis and keep them covered
• Clean toilets daily
• Make sure the septic tanks and leach drains are not damaged

Mosquitoes

Out of all the insects found at home, mosquitoes can cause the most harm. They suck blood from people, pets and livestock.

Diseases Caused:

• Dengue Fever
• Malaria
• Yellow Fever

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes:

• Put a lid on water tanks
• Don't allow dirty water to collect in one place
• Use insect repellents on exposed skin
• Use repellant sprays for the home

The best way to avoid diseases caused by mosquitoes is to make sure that they stay out of your home.

Ants

Ants belong the family of Formicidae and eusocial ants. There are 22,000 species of ants in the world and the only place without indigenous ants is Antarctica.

Damage Caused:

·         Raid stored food

·         Damage indoor structures of houses and buildings

·         Harm agricultural crops

·         Sting bites

How to Get Rid of Ants?

• Insecticidal bait
• Sprays
• Ant Powder

The process, however, differs for different locations and households. Physical, chemical as well as biological methods are used to manage ant populations.