Do Ants Kill Bed Bugs?
WouterWhether you are using a DIY method or an exterminator to get rid of bed bugs, ants are not the best natural bed bug treatment. Ants scavenge, so they do not help in the bed bug control process. Instead, they can cause damage to the home.
Bed bugs are small insects that hide and feed at night. They can be hard to find with the naked eye. When they feed, their bodies expand. The bugs then slink back to their hiding place.
There are over 1000 species of ants in the United States. Most ants are black in color. Some ants have stings. Several insectivorous animals, like lizards, also eat bed bugs.
Some people say that fire ants are good bed bug hunters, but they scavenge instead of predating. They will also feed on dead insects and mammals. This is a bad idea. You should use an insecticide strip, such as Nuvan ProStrips, instead. These strips contain an insecticide that will kill bed bugs and other insects.
Pharaoh ants are also effective hunters. These ants are small, and will feed on other ants and sweet foods. However, they can carry diseases, and can also be dangerous if they bite.
Carpenter ants are large ants that feed on wood. These ants are one of the most common species of ants in the United States. Carpenter ants are black and usually dig out wood to lay their eggs. They can also infest homes with food.
