How to Ant Control in Your House in Six Easy Steps
Count yourself among the fortunate few if you have never seen ants at your home, office, or school. But, if you’re like most people, you’ve dealt with a swarm of pavement ants in your garage or a swarm of odorous house ants marching across your kitchen counter. Than you should follow the step of ant control.
In the United States, ants are the most common annoyance. With over 700 species in the country and over 20 varieties known to infest homes and other structures, it’s no surprise that so many people have problems with this insect.
There are, however, a few basic precautions that homeowners may do to lessen the possibilities of unwittingly attracting ants into their homes.
1. Recognize the most popular hangouts
It’s probably not surprise that ants are most commonly found in kitchens. Kitchens, after all, are equipped with the food and water that ants (and other pests) need to survive. Ants are known to congregate in bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, basements, inside walls, and near air conditioning and heating devices.
2. Remove all sources of water
Preventing ants or ant control can be as simple as reducing dampness and standing water around your home. Repair any faulty pipes, and check under sinks for dampness on a regular basis. In moist basements, crawl spaces, or attics, consider utilizing a dehumidifier. Ensure that downspouts and gutters are in good working order so that water flows away from the foundation of the house.
3. Remove all food sources
Keeping your kitchen clean will deter ants from entering your home. To remove crumbs and residue from spills, wipe down counters and sweep floors on a regular basis. Food should be kept in sealed pest-proof containers, and ripe fruit should be kept in the refrigerator. Wipe sticky jars down, particularly those that contain honey, syrup, soda, or other sweets. Finally, keep trashcans covered and dispose of rubbish on a regular basis.
4. Don’t overlook your pets
Cats, dogs, and other pets can bring ants into your home unintentionally. Pests are attracted to their food and water bowls, so keep them clean and wipe up any spilt food or water right away. Dry pet food should be stored in a sealed plastic container rather than the paper bags it usually comes in, which ants and other pests can easily reach. Inspect dog/cat doors to make sure pests aren’t able to get in. Keep in mind that ants can squeeze through even the slightest cracks.
5. Remove or close off access points
Take some time to look around the outside of your house for easy entry points. Branches from trees and bushes should be cut away from the house, since they might offer ant roads inside. Silicone caulk should be used to seal any gaps and crevices on the outside of the house, paying specific attention to locations where utility pipes enter. In this way people easily handle ant control.
6. Don’t try to do it on your own.
Fighting ants might be a losing struggle if you don’t have the right training and gear. Worse, if an infestation is not adequately handled, it might continue to grow. Some ants, such as carpenter ants, can cause significant property damage, while others, such as fire ants, can harm your family’s health. Even pests that are considered a nuisance (such as odorous house ants) have the ability to contaminate food.
If you discover ants in your home, call a registered pest control technician straight once. They’ll be able to identify the ant species, locate potential entry points, and devise an effective treatment plan.
What is the best way to get rid of ants?
Ants are a colony-dwelling social insect. Treatment plans for ant control should encompass the eradication of the entire colony. Spraying an ant with a standard ant spray, especially a repellant spray, will only kill a few and scatter the colony at best.
Ants may come into your home in search of food or shelter. Understanding ant behavior will aid you in implementing the ant control strategies mentioned below. Ants enter through the tiniest cracks in search of water or food. They’re looking for sweet foods or foods that are high in protein or fat.