Finding ants in your home can be quite alarming. They make their way inside in search of food for their colonies. Even homeowners who keep a clean house can find themselves with a few wandering ants. These unwanted pests can cause a lot of unnecessary problems. In addition to making your home appear dirty, ants can carry bacteria that can be harmful to your health. Some ants bite or sting, which can cause painful welts or allergic reactions. When ants appear, it’s time to take action.
Identify the Species
One of the first steps in dealing with ants is identifying the species. Every species is different and several species that are commonly found in homes. They have different nesting habits and eat different foods. To deal with your ant problem properly, you need to know exactly what type of ants you have. One way to do this is to use a guide online. You can also take a close-up picture of your ants and send it to your local university extension service. In addition to identifying the ants, you may also receive additional information about them and tips on how to get rid of them.
Remove Trails
The first ants that come into your home are called scouts. These are the ants that go out in search of food. They leave a scented trail that allows other ants in the colony to follow them. Sweeping up isn’t enough because the action doesn’t eliminate the scent. Other ants are still able to follow the trail. Instead, you can get rid of the pheromone trail by cleaning where the ants have been with a water and vinegar mixture.
Set Traps
When ants find food, they take it back to feed the colony. One way that many homeowners get rid of ants is with bait traps. The problem, however, is that there are many different types. Fire Ants are attracted to different types of foods than carpenter ants. Tastes also change based on the seasons. One way to find out what types of foods your particular ants are attracted to is by setting out a few different types of food (such as honey and peanut butter) and watching which one they flock to. This can help you to buy the right kind of trap.
The bait in the traps is toxic. The ants do not know this. Bait doesn’t kill the ants immediately. Instead, the ants bring it back to their colony, so that other ants can eat it. This helps to eliminate the colony and eradicate your problem. Keep in mind that you may see several ants at first as they go to the traps for food. Avoid killing the ants as this prevents the bait from doing its job. Eventually, you will begin to see fewer and fewer ants until the problem is gone.
Call for Professional Backup
In some cases, home remedies are not enough to get rid of ants. In cases of numerous ants, or you’re finding that you can’t seem to eliminate the problem, it’s time to call in the professionals. A professional exterminator can identify the ants, locate the source of the infestation, and deploy effective tactics to get rid of it for good.
Prevent Ants from Getting In
Once your ant problem is gone, it’s time to take steps to avoid them from coming back. There are several ways in which you can do this. Common ways to prevent ants include:
- Keeping food stored properly.
- Picking up and cleaning pet dishes.
- Cleaning spills immediately.
- Keeping trash cans clean.
- Seal cracks in windows and doors.
- Replace damaged weather stripping.
- Check for moisture in your home and repair leaky pipes.
- Keep shrubbery trimmed and firewood away from the sides of your home.
No one wants to deal with ants. Unfortunately, many people deal with these pests every year. Knowing how to deal with them, and how to prevent them from coming back, can help you to keep your property safe.
