Description
Adult ants belong to one of three colony castes: queens, workers or males. Queens are fertile females that lay all the eggs in the colony. Workers, however, are wingless females responsible for foraging, feeding larvae and defending the colony. Males exist solely to mate with queens during swarming. In addition, males are winged — unlike workers. In Côte d’Ivoire, the tropical climate supports year-round ant activity. As a result, particularly aggressive species are found throughout Abidjan’s urban and peri-urban areas.
Habits
Ants are a persistent year-round problem in homes and businesses across Côte d’Ivoire. Some species build nests outdoors and forage inside for food. Others, however, establish permanent colonies inside buildings — in wall voids, under appliances and beneath floors. The most common species include carpenter ants, which damage wooden structures. Furthermore, pharaoh ants are notoriously difficult to eliminate. Fire ants are also common and their sting is painful and aggressive. Overall, ants are commensal pests attracted to sweets, meats and starches — all abundant in kitchens, restaurants and food processing facilities.
Defense
- First, eliminate food sources. Store food in airtight containers, clean counters and floors regularly and remove food residues. Ants follow invisible chemical trails to food sources and will keep returning until the source is removed.
- Next, seal entry points. Ants enter through cracks around pipes, windows and doors. Your Orkin Pro will identify and recommend sealing all vulnerable entry points.
- In addition, avoid DIY treatments. Most over-the-counter products kill only visible ants without destroying the colony. As a result, professional targeted treatments are necessary to eliminate the nest and prevent recurrence.
- Finally, species identification matters. Different ant species require different treatment approaches. Therefore, your Orkin Pro will identify the species present and apply the right program for your situation.
Contact Orkin Côte d’Ivoire today for a free inspection and customized ant control program for your home or business.