Ants making themselves at home in your house?
An expert entomologist shares how to get rid of ants and prevent them from coming back.
Its even ordinary to see a few.
What causes ant infestations?
It is dependent on environmental factors and availability to match the size of the colony.
The environmental factors include change of seasons and going to higher ground during adverse weather.
chief entomologist and director of technical services at Mosquito Joe
Heres where to start:
1.
Direct moisture away from the foundation.
If ants are threatening to take your home hostage, turn your attention to your gutters.
Keep mulch, leaf litter, and vegetation at least 10 to 12 inches away from the foundation.
Trim back any tree branches or shrubs that are near your home.
Many homes are lined with bushes and surrounded by trees.
Move any piles of lumber, firewood, bricks, and stones away from the house.
All of these things attract moisture, and moisture attracts ants, says Price.
Because of that, the more distance you could create, the better.
chief entomologist and director of technical services at Mosquito Joe
Clean up any food spills and crumbs as quickly as possible.
With that in mind, Price says to clean up any food spills and crumbs immediately to prevent infestations.
Rinse all food and drink containers thoroughly before placing them into trash or recycling bins.
Terro T800 Garbage Guard Trash Can Insect Killer $8.00
7.
Dont leave dirty dishes in the sink.
Who among us hasnt left a few dishes in the sink overnight?
Unfortunately, Price says its imperative to clean up to get rid of ants.
Store food in air-tight containers or keep it refrigerated.
If possible, do not leave pet food out.
That said, you dont have to compromise convenience for an ant-free home.
Instead, consider investing in an automatic feeder that keeps food sealed away except when automatically dolled out.
TheWOPET Wi-Fi Enabled Smart Pet Feeder is a customer favorite.
WOPET Wi-Fi Enabled Smart Pet Feeder $90.00
10.
Seal up any gaps, cracks, or holes around windows, doors, and foundations.
Gorilla Waterproof Caulk & Seal 100% Silicone Sealant $10.00
11.
A liquid ant bait bought over the counter can be effective, he says.
That said, he admits that it only works prior to infestation as a deterrent.
They are still working during the winter months inside the colony and randomly foraging.
Thankfully, expert pest controllers can help.
…
Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.
