Ants may seem like harmless insects, but they can actually cause a lot of damage to your home. In particular, they can wreak havoc on your electrical wiring. In this post, we’ll go over how ants can harm your electrical wiring and how to prevent invasions.
Common Ants in Georgia
Ants are an incredibly diverse group of insects, with many species worldwide. In Georgia alone, there are a few different types of ants you may come across. These species include:
- Carpenter ants: These ants are black or have a mixture of dark red and black.
- Pharaoh ants: Pharaoh ants are mostly tan colored.
- Raspberry ants: These ants are brownish-red with light-colored bands on their abdomens.
- Argentine ants: Argentine ants can be light to dark brown.
What Kind of Electrical Damage Can Ants Do?
When ants chew electrical wiring, the consequences can be severe – resulting in issues like short circuits and even electrical fires. The damage they cause can not only be expensive to repair, but it can also endanger you and your family's safety.
In particular, raspberry ants, otherwise known as “crazy ants”, are drawn to electronics and can cause many issues for home and business owners. While they cannot eat the metal wires inside, their jaws are strong enough to chew through the insulation around them.
This exposes the live wires and can cause electrical shorts. Shocked or electrocuted ants release a chemical alarm pheromone, attracting more ants and causing a chain reaction that can lead to a build-up of dead worker ants. These pests are not easily controlled, as they can quickly abandon their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.
Signs You Have Ants in Your Home
Ants are some of the most common household pests, and the worst part is that they can easily go unnoticed in your home. However, there are a few telltale signs that may indicate you have an ant infestation:
- You notice ants crawling around your home
- Sawdust trails around your home
- Hollow sounds in wooden beams
- Piles of soil or dirt
- Hearing popping or zapping sounds from your outlets
- Flickering lights
- Ants crawling out from outlets
Ant infestation can quickly become a nuisance and even a hazard to your home. When you notice this problem, it's crucial to act on it immediately. The first step is to contact an exterminator who can effectively eliminate the ants from your property. Once the infestation has been addressed, it's important to have an electrician inspect your home to determine if the ants have caused any damage. This step is often overlooked, but it's essential to ensure that your home is safe and that electrical systems are functioning properly.
How to Keep Ants Away from Your Home
Ant infestations can be a common problem for homeowners in Georgia. These tiny insects have a knack for making their way into our homes, and once they establish a colony, they can be difficult to get rid of. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to keep them at bay.
Practices to keep ants away include:
- Eliminate water and food sources
- Seal off access points such as cracks and crevices in your home
- Sweep and vacuum regularly
- Wipe down common surfaces
- Clean up dirty dishes
Even with preventative measures in place, ant infestations can happen. When this occurs, don’t forget to call in the professionals at Lightning Bug Electric after the exterminators have come through. Not only will our team handle any electrical issues that may arise from the invasion, but we will also ensure that your electrical system is running smoothly afterwards.
Call us to learn more about how we can help at (404) 471-3847 or contact us online!