Ants are small, social insects that can be a nuisance in your home. They’re attracted to food and shelter, and they can enter homes through tiny cracks.
Ants can be a real nuisance when they invade your home. While there are several DIY methods to get rid of them, as outlined in this article, sometimes the infestation can be too severe to handle on your own. In such cases, don’t hesitate to reach out to pest control cincinnati, your trusted partner in ensuring a pest-free home.
Eliminating ants is largely a matter of denying them the foods they seek and the shelter they need to create nests. Keeping your kitchen clean of food crumbs, spills and other sources of shelter can make a big difference.
1. Clean Up
Ants are common pests that can invade your home if they’re hungry enough. The little creatures can be annoying, painful to bite, and even cause damage to your property if they nest in your foundation or walls.
If you notice ants in your house, it’s crucial to clean up quickly before the infestation worsens. Keep in mind that ants are attracted to sugary foods, so you may need to deprive them of their favorite food sources to get rid of the infestation once and for all.
Use a spray cleaner to wipe away any pheromone trails that scout ants leave behind for other ants to follow. This will kill the ants and prevent others from following them into your home.
2. Bait
Bait is a term used to describe any appetizing substance that you can use to attract prey. It can include things like food, baits, chemicals, or even natural substances such as oil or clove.
There are a variety of ant baits on the market, but you’ll want to choose one that’s specific to your ants and their habits. For example, if you’re trying to kill carpenter ants, look for baits that contain boric acid.
If you’re battling scavenger ants, which are looking for food to take back to their colony, consider baits that include protein or sugar.
Place a bait in areas you’ve previously seen ants. This includes the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Make sure to re-bait those areas daily. Once you’ve eliminated the ants in those areas, you can move on to other parts of your home.
3. Seal Up
After cleaning up, you can try sealing up any openings that ants can use to enter your home. This will help to prevent new ant colonies from forming.
According to Godfrey Nalyanya, entomologist and technical services manager of Rentokil North American Pest Control, one of the most important things you can do to get rid of ants is to seal up any cracks in your foundation or around your doors. It is also recommended to caulk any gaps in your windows and doors and to seal cracks around pipes or a water source that might be tempting for ants.
After you have sealed up the house, a good way to keep ants out of your home is to use ant spray. It should be a bifenthrin, deltamethrin or permethrin-based spray. It will keep ants from entering the house and should be reapplied each spring to ensure you don’t have an infestation again.
4. Call an Exterminator
If you’re dealing with a persistent ant problem, it is best to call an exterminator. They will have the experience and know-how to get rid of ants in your house permanently, as well as the knowledge and resources to prevent future problems with these pests.
If your ant problem isn’t being treated, you could be at risk of getting a serious infestation or even structural damage to your home. In this situation, it is important to call an exterminator as quickly as possible.
An exterminator will be able to find the type of ants you have in your house and create a custom treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs. They’ll use multiple methods to kill ants and make sure they never come back. They’ll also take preventative measures to keep ants from coming into your home in the first place.
