Common Ant-Infested Areas

Common Ant-Infested Areas

Ants are considered one of the most pesky nuisance pests homeowners must deal with. Ants will often enter homes during the winter, seeking water and food for survival. Now, with the weather warming, is the perfect time to start putting preventative measures in the most common places ants are found – the kitchen and the bathroom!

The kitchen is an ideal place for ants to infest. These pests are constantly searching for a water source, and the kitchen is the perfect place to find it. If the kitchen isn’t cleaned frequently and thoroughly, ants will invade quickly. Use these ant prevention tips to keep ants out of your kitchen:

  • Store sweet food items, like maple syrup and honey, in plastic containers that seal tightly. Wipe them down after use to remove any sticky residue.
  • Clean up all grease spills from your countertops, floors, and stove.
  • Throw out any ripe fruit, as it is a major attraction to ants.
  • If you have pets, pick up any leftover food and wash their bowls frequently.

The bathroom is highly vulnerable to an ant infestation as all the excess moisture will attract them. Carpenter ants will build their nests in damp areas, such as behind bathroom tiles or under sinks. To prevent ants from infesting your bathroom, take these preventative measures:

  • Always inspect your sink, toilets, and tubs for any leaks and drips to avoid excess moisture.
  • Give your bathroom a good, thorough cleaning by scrubbing the floors with disinfectant cleanser and wiping down the insides of your drawers.
  • Frequently check that your shampoo, lotion, and soap bottles are tightly sealed and no contents have spilled out.

If you’ve noticed an influx of ants inside your home, consider calling your local pest control company. Trained service professionals will set you up with a prevention and treatment plan to help prevent these pests during peak ant season.

Where Did These Ants Come From?

Where Did These Ants Come From?

Ants are the #1 nuisance pest in America. They are one of the most challenging pests to control, along with bed bugs, because their colonies can number in the 1000s. Ants are considered commercial pests because they like to live close to people and eat the same things that we do. Ants can be seasonal pests or a year-round problem depending on the species. They will often enter our homes in the warmer months of the year in search of water and food. Most species, including fire ants and odorous house ants, will build their nests outdoors and come inside in search of food that they will collect and take back to their colonies. Other species like carpenter ants will actually make their way into your home and build their nests indoors. Ants are often found near food sources, moisture, and in hidden areas where they have protection and concealment such as wall voids, under floors, behind window frames, and under appliances. Ants in the bathroom and ants in the kitchen are the two most common scenarios when these pests make their way into your home, although they can be found in other rooms, as well.

Regardless of the species, when ants become a problem in your home it is often necessary to use a professional pest control company to help get them under control. Here are some important aspects to any successful ant control program:

1. Proper Identification

One of the most important components to any ant control program is to properly identify the species of ant you are dealing with. Different species have different behaviors, prefer different environments, and have different diets so treatment will vary greatly between them. It is important to know where to find them and how to treat them to ensure success in eliminating and controlling them.

2. Eliminate Food Sources

One of the main reasons ants come into your home is in search of food to take back to their colony. Eliminating things that attract them can help keep them from taking over your home. Clean up any food crumbs from kitchen floors and countertops and wipe them down frequently. Clean your appliances regularly. Empty your trash routinely and wipe the cans down. Clean outdoor grills and remove crumbs from tables, decks, and patios after each use. Keep foods, including pet food, in sealed containers. Place a bay leaf in canisters of dry food (such as flour) as the scent repels ants and other pantry pests. Rinse any empty containers before placing them in recycling bins. Get rid of any overripe fruit as this will attract ants, as well.

3. Eliminate Moisture

Ants need moisture to survive. Eliminating or reducing the moisture in your home can help prevent ants from coming inside. Repair any leaks around pipes and in your roof. Check gutters to make sure they are not clogged and ensure downspouts are directing rainwater away from foundations. Consider installing gutter guards to help prevent clogs. Thoroughly clean bathrooms with disinfectant cleaners and make sure shampoo, conditioner, and soap bottles are closed tightly and don’t have any leaks.

4. Eliminate Points of Entry

In order to get into your home, ants have to have a way inside. It is important to identify where they are gaining entry into your home to successfully control and eliminate them. Carefully inspect the exterior of your home and seal any holes, gaps, and cracks especially around areas where pipes and wires enter your home. Trim back shrubs and tree branches so they are not touching the sides or roof of your home. Keep mulch and timber at least 2 feet from your foundation. Move debris such as firewood, rock piles, boards, etc away from your home. Remove any tree stumps, fallen tree branches and logs from your yard. Repair any holes in window and door screens and replace weatherstripping.

As always, if you suspect you have an ant problem, contact a professional ant control company who can help you properly identify the species of ant you have and set you up with a thorough and comprehensive treatment and control plan.

 

Get Rid of Ants in 5 Easy Steps

Get Rid of Ants in 5 Easy Steps

Ants are resilient pests. They’re active year-round, often seen in overwhelming numbers, and resistant to a lot of pest control methods. While getting rid of ants may seem like an impossible feat, we’re here to tell you that it is possible. Here’s what you can do to get rid of ants in your home this summer.

1. Eliminate Sources of Moisture

Just like us, ants need water to survive. This time of year especially, they’re in search of a steady water source. Repair leaky plumbing, use dehumidifiers in damp basements, attics and/or crawlspaces to keep the spaces dry, keep gutters clean, and remove any sources of moisture around your home’s perimeter.

2. Keep a Clean House

Just like water, ants are looking for food. Even the smallest amount can satisfy ants and keep them coming back for more so be sure to clean up spills immediately, wipe away crumbs, clean behind appliances, and take out the trash daily. Keep food sealed in storage containers and consider storing fruit in the refrigerator.

3. Don’t Leave Pet Food Out

Remove your pet’s bowls every day after they’ve eaten and store their food in sealed containers. If left our or in dog food bag, you’ll attract ants and other pests.

4. Create a Pest-Proof Barrier

Even if you have food and water sources in your home for ants, they won’t be able to access them if they can’t get inside. Do a thorough check of you home, looking for any cracks & crevices, holes around doors & windows, gaps around plumbing pipes, and seal up any of these areas with a silicone-based caulk. Not sure where to look? Contact a pest control company. Your exterminator will do an inspection of your home as part of a pest control program, and recommend areas to be corrected or offer repair solutions.

5. Quarterly Pest Control Treatments

To get rid of ants and other pests, and to prevent them from coming back, consider hiring a professional pest control company. Most treatment plans consist of quarterly treatments and cover a wide range of pests – ants, roaches, spiders, mice, and more. Get started by requesting a free pest control quote.

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