You’re sitting down at your dining table enjoying dinner. You’re resting on your couch eating a quick snack while watching television. All of a sudden, you see them.
There are ants on your kitchen counters, near the sink, and traveling under the table! No homeowner wants to discover ants in their home. Not only are ants pesky little things that steal crumbs and invade boxes of cookies, but they can also be a hassle to get rid of.
Because of their size, preventing ants is a bit more difficult than keeping a squirrel out of your attic, for example. There’s no one large entry point that you can find and close off. Ants are a bit trickier, but with the right tips, preventing pests like these is possible.
In the guide below, you’ll find a list of ant solutions to keep ants out of your home. Continue reading to learn more!
1. Remove Water Sources
A good starting place is to search your home for sources of water. If ants are invading your home, then they’ve most likely found a food and water source. Try to pay close attention to where the ants are crowding at.
The place where you see the most ants is normally the same place where they’ve accessed water or food. If you notice any leaks around the home, then you’ll want to repair these leaks as soon as possible (even the small leaks). Any water left out for animals should also be removed when they’re not drinking.
Try to wipe sinks dry after each use and correct any high-moisture areas that build condensation.
2. Remove Food Sources
The next step is removing any food sources that the ants have access to. Ants are tiny and don’t require a full plate of food. All they need is a small crumb of something to attract them.
For this reason, you need to not only remove any pet food when not being used, but you should wipe the area around the food and water bowl clean as well. If there are any crumbs left from your pets, then the ants will be able to pick up on the scent. No food should be left out around the house either.
Any food left out will attract ants to your home, so it’s important to always clean up and remove food sources both from inside and outside of the home.
3. Trace Them to an Entry Point
A good way to find the point of entry for the ants is to trace them back to where they’re entering from. Ants will walk in a line to their food or water from their colony. Try your best to follow the line of ants back to where their colony is.
You should be able to find their entry point. If you can find where they’re entering your home from, then you need to seal up these entry points. If you can find their colony, then be sure to treat the ants at the source.
4. Trim Trees Over the Roof
Now, let’s head outside and conduct a survey of the yard. Although there might be ants in your home, they’re entering your home from the outside. One reason why you might have an ant problem is a tree branch hanging over the roof of your house.
It’s ideal to trim any tree branches that hang directly over your home’s roof because these branches give ants and other critters easy access to the roof and ultimately the inside of your house. While outside, be sure to also pay close attention to any signs of ant colonies.
5. Wipe, Sweep, and Vacuum
As we travel back inside the house, you’ll want to grab your cleaning cloth, broom, and vacuum. All kitchen counters should be wiped clean on a daily basis. There could be tiny crumbs that you can’t see, but ants can detect.
You’ll also want to sweep and vacuum the floors as well. This is a sure way of removing all crumbs from your kitchen, which may be attracting ants. Do this daily, even after the ants are gone, to prevent them from coming back.
6. Store Food Items Securely
Another important ant-prevention tip to follow is to store all food items in airtight containers. Ensuring all food is closed and stored securely will keep ants out of your cabinets and kitchen. Try using plastic food storage containers that hold various food items that you can then pour out when needed.
Don’t forget to secure the trash also. All trash cans with food in them should have a lid. Take the trash out regularly to prevent an overfill that might attract more ants.
The bin you place the trash bag in outside should also have a lid to keep not only ants but many other insects and critters out of the trash.
7. Hire a Professional Pest Exterminator
When all else fails, contact a professional pest exterminator. Scheduling routine pest control services is ideal for preventing pests. Doing your own research about the ants in your home is a good start to preventing them and you can read the facts about various ants and what causes them, but an exterminator will have all the experience and knowledge needed to rid your home of any pests and prevent them from coming back.
Once an exterminator enters your home, they’ll identify the type of ants that are invading it and come up with the best treatment and prevention plan.
Preventing Ants in Your Home Starts Right Here
Creepy, crawly ants in the home are a no-go! It’s your home, and you shouldn’t have to share it with any type of insect or pest. The first step is to remove the ants from your home, but the next step is preventing ants from coming back.
Use all of the helpful information given above to keep those pesky ants out of your home! To find more lifestyle, business, and other various topics, continue to visit us on a daily basis.
