Once they’ve infested your yard, it can be difficult to get rid of ant infestations. These pests are extremely invasive and will search our yards and inside our homes for a place to nest and for a food source. Once ants take over your yard, it’s likely they will enter your home, sometimes without us even knowing. Check out the common ways to prevent ants in your Florida yard.
Clean Up Debris
Keeping your yard well-maintained is crucial in preventing ants from taking over your yard. Make sure you regularly mow your grass and trim back plants and shrubbery away from the home. Likewise, ensure that leaves and debris are picked up, especially after a storm. Get rid of rotten tree stumps or logs, as ants will build their nests in them.
Utilize Natural Remedies
Did you know there are certain smells that will deter ants away? It’s true! Ants dislike scents such as peppermint, vinegar, and citrus. Consider using these scents to deter them away from your yard and home by placing cotton balls soaked in the scent around the perimeter of your property.
Remove Food Sources
Ants are looking for water and food sources to survive, making it crucial to remove them. While many of us leave our pet’s food bowls outdoors during the warmer months, it’s important to remove them at night, as they will attract not only ants but other creatures such as rats and mice. Likewise, remove any standing water from your property, including fixing leaky pipes, removing buckets holding water, and unclogging gutters.
Eliminate Points of Entry
To ensure ants will not enter your home, it’s important to identify and eliminate any entry points they could enter in from. Inspect the exterior of your home and seal any holes, gaps, and cracks you find. Don’t forget to check the areas around pipes and wires as well. Likewise, check your windows and doors for any openings and consider utilizing screens and weatherstripping.
Eliminating ants can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Consider reaching out to your local pest control company which can help identify the type of ant, provide you with a treatment plan, and set you up with a prevention plan to avoid a future infestation.