You may first notice just a few ants here and there. Then, before you know it, you’re dealing with a seemingly relentless ant invasion. Such pests can be a huge nuisance—disrupting the comfort of your living area, presenting health risks, and even undermining the structural integrity of your home.
When you find ants in or around your home, it is best to take immediate action before the situation gets out of control. There are a number of practical preventative measures that homeowners can take to get rid of ants and maintain an ant-free home. Please keep reading to learn some tried and true ant-prevention strategies.
Know the Kind of Ants You Are Dealing With
Effectively eliminating an ant infestation begins with identifying the ant species.
In California, some of the most common ant species include:
- Carpenter ants: These large black or reddish-brown ants nest in damp or decaying wood. By creating a network of colonies in your home’s wooden framework, carpenter ants may weaken the structural components of your residence.
- Argentine ants: These small, dark brown ants live in huge colonies with multiple queens. While their colonies are typically outside, they will march in long trails to potential food sources—loving sugary spills and uncovered food.
- Pavement ants: These ominous little ants often nest under sidewalks, driveways, and building foundations, as well as in the walls of your home. Attracted to a variety of food sources, pavement ants bite when you get in their way.
- Fire ants: These reddish-brown ants are known for their painful sting, which can cause allergic reactions in some people. Fire ants build large dome-shaped colonies that can easily damage plants, lawns, and outdoor electrical fixtures, among other things.
- Odorous house ants: Small, dark brown or black house ants generally nest in wall voids, under floors, and around your home’s foundations. Attracted to sweet foods and often found in kitchens, they can contaminate human and pet food with their presence. Odorous house ants create scent trails along cupboards, sinks, and appliances that can bring other pests to the area.
Different ant species pose different problems and risks to your home and the health of your family. If you are unsure of the type of ants you are battling with, an experienced and well-reviewed pest management company can come to your aid.
Ant Control and Prevention
By performing regular preventative home maintenance and implementing a number of best practices, homeowners can reduce the chances of unintentionally inviting ants into the home.
Eliminate water sources
Ants need water to survive and are attracted to damp environments. Reducing moisture and standing water around your home can go a long way toward preventing ant activity.
It is critical to repair leaky pipes promptly and routinely check under your sink for signs of moisture. Additionally, it can be a good idea to use a dehumidifier in basements, attics, and other potentially damp or humid spaces.
Outside your home, ensure that your gutters and downspouts are clear and properly channeling water away from the foundation to help keep your home pest-free.
Keep your home clean and eliminate food sources
Keeping your home clean is one of the strongest defenses against an ant invasion. The kitchen, in particular, is often ground zero for ant problems. A tidy kitchen will help discourage ants from coming indoors.
Be diligent about cleaning up spills as soon as they occur, and store food in sealed pest-proof containers. Keep ripe fruits in the refrigerator. Wipe down counters and containers containing honey, syrup, or other sweets regularly.
Additionally, it is a good idea to sweep floors and vacuum regularly to eliminate crumbs and residues that attract ants. It is also advisable to use trash cans with lids and take out your garbage regularly to prevent ant infestations.
Identify potential entry points
Try to identify as soon as possible where the ants are entering your home. It may be that gaps underneath your flooring or cracks in your molding are creating an entrance for these persistent pests. Open doors and windows could also be providing ants access to your home.
Check the outside of your home also. Trees and shrubs should be trimmed away from the house, as ants will often use branches as a bridge to head indoors.
Once you have identified how and where the ants are entering your property, you can take action. By vigilantly keeping those areas clean and perhaps using bait stations or natural repellents, you can perform effective ant control in your home.
Properly seal your home
Check both the interior and exterior of your home for cracks or crevices. Even the tiniest hole can welcome ants to march straight on in. Use silicone caulk or weather stripping to effectively seal any openings, creating a barrier that deters ants from entering your home.
Regularly inspect and maintain your property
Preventing ant infestations requires ongoing vigilance and home maintenance. Regularly inspect your home for signs of ant activity and take proactive measures to address any issues you find. By addressing ant problems promptly, you can prevent a minor issue from escalating into a full-blown infestation.
Ants frequently build nests in outdoor areas, such as in overgrown vegetation or piles of debris, and then migrate indoors. Keeping your yard well-maintained and free of leaf piles, mulch, and wood debris will make your property less appealing to ants seeking shelter.
Bring in a professional pest management company
Ants are survivors. In some cases, even after diligent effort, homeowners simply can’t eradicate them on their own, so make sure to seek help. There are times when professional-grade treatments and techniques are needed to put your mind at ease and give you a pest-free home.
Knowledgeable pest management companies understand the complex behavior of different ant species that may overrun your home and can determine the most effective course of treatment. A professional approach to ant control and remediation can be tailored to your problem, eradicating the colony effectively and preventing a recurrence of the invasion.
Reach Out to Insight Pest Management for Effective Ant Treatment Today
Finding an ant infestation is one of the last things busy homeowners need to deal with. While there are a number of great ant prevention strategies that go a long way toward mitigating and controlling ant problems, sometimes you simply need professional backup.
With over 25 years of experience in commercial and residential pest control behind us at Insight Pest Management, our expert team of inspectors will thoroughly evaluate the situation and develop an effective treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
We use state-of-the-art technology and a variety of different baits, dusting powders, sprays, and other treatment methods to eliminate ants and help prevent recurring ant infestations. Once the treatment is applied, you can expect to see an immediate reduction in ant activity inside your home. You can rest assured that we only work with EPA-approved and regulated treatment methods to minimize the risks to families, pets, and the environment.
We understand that once ants take over your home, it becomes a personal emergency—we are ready to help. Call Insight Pest Management or fill out our online contact form to schedule a pest inspection. Let’s get rid of the ants at your property once and for all!
