Ant Infestation in the House: How To Get Rid Of and Prevention Tips
Ants are one of the most common pests that invade homes. There are several species and many ways to get rid of them, but you need to know what kind of ants you have so you will be able to take the proper measures to eliminate them from your house.
Ants are considered pests that can spread germs and diseases to humans. Aside from this, they also cause disturbance to humans, especially when they swarm their homes searching for food. Ants do not only feed on sweets but in fact, they eat almost anything from meats, vegetables and even seeds.
Below we outline a few topics regarding ants, an ant infestation in the house, their identification, methods to get rid of them, prevention and who to call to get rid of them if needed.
Ant: The Basics (Identification)
Ants are social insects that live in communities called colonies. All worker ants are female and have wings. These winged ants are called alates and emerge during winged ant season, which occurs during the time of year when the colony has grown too large to sustain itself. Ants do not hibernate, but they may slow down their activity and go into a sort of sleep mode when the weather is unfavorable or when food sources are scarce.
The queen ant is generally bigger than the other ants in her colony and has wings, although she does not fly. She can live for up to fifteen years.
Ants: How to Get Rid Of Them
The best way to get rid of ants is to understand why they’re there in the first place.
Ants are attracted to unsealed entry points like doorways because of the food you’re leaving out for them nearby. So, if you want them gone, you must stop feeding them and close off their access through entry points. You can do this by sealing off cracks and holes with caulk or putting down a layer of diatomaceous earth around the outside of the house.
Ants can be a real nuisance, especially if you have a large-scale ant infestation.
Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of ants without using pesticides. Spraying ant killers around your home might kill some ants in the short term, but it can also cause harmful side effects for your kids and pets. Instead, it is much safer to use natural methods or products that will help you eliminate ants for good and prevent an ant infestation in the house from occurring.
Ant Infestation: Prevention Tips
As we have previously mentioned, ants are one of the most common household pests. They can enter your home in many ways, and once they do, they add unwanted stress to an otherwise busy workday. Many commercial products are on the market to kill ants, but they tend to be costly and don’t always work. The good news is, there are several natural ways to keep ants out of your home and an ant infestation from happening.
The best defense is a good offense when keeping ants at bay. So as not to ever have an ant problem, make sure you remove crumbs from the floors and countertops and put them away in sealed containers.
If ants are a yearly problem, it’s time to assess why. First, look at your overall housekeeping.
Next, check for leaks or other moisture issues around your home that might be attracting ants. If you find any, fix them and clean up any spills as they happen.
Last but not least if you cannot get rid of ants contact a professional pest control company. You may find this to be the best prevention method.
Ant Infestation in House? Get Rid of Ants For Good
Ants are a problem that many people wish they could avoid entirely. However, if you notice ants in your home, it’s essential to address them quickly rather than allowing for a large-scale ant infestation. Contact Garfield Pest Control for professional ant control services.
If you have your first ant issue, we can schedule a one-time service call. However, if they invade your home every year, we have individual maintenance plans that can greatly benefit your situation. We take care of the ant problem ahead of time, so you never see them again.
Let us help you prepare early and stop an ant infestation before it begins.