Ants in the House
Sometimes the smallest things can cause the biggest problems. Ants are such minuscule insects. Yet, they can become a major nuisance, requiring you to keep track of any crumbs or spills in or around your house. Such meticulous creatures look for any source of energy to survive, just like humans. It could only be a matter of time before you have an encounter with them. The more you know about how ant infestations occur, the better your home will be secured from them.
Why do These Infestations Happen?
Ants don’t hate you. They need to survive just like you and will hunt anything they can find so they can do so. The nearer food and water sources, the likelier they will gather. So, if you tend to leave your fair share of crumbs and spills, you are more susceptible to ants invading your house.
Most ant species build their nests outside, will come and collect food, then go back to their colonies. However, some ant species enter your home and build their nests there. They like hiding under appliances, beneath floors and any wall openings. Once they sense food or water is in their midst, they’ll appear without a second invitation. They can damage your property, plants or even bite you without warning.
Know Your Enemy
While ants can be pests, not all ants are similar, with some more capable of causing serious damage than others. Arm yourself with the knowledge to shoot down any plans ants have of invading your home. If you notice ants in your home, find out which species they are, the things they can and can’t tolerate, and where they originate. This makes ant control a much more effective task.
In Edmonton, pharaoh and pavement ants are very common household pests. Pharaoh ants are attracted to heated areas year-round and usually are reddish brown with a darker abdomen. They leave small nests in unusual spots such as washroom cabinets and in stacks of discarded paper products. Pavement ants are dark brown, meanwhile, and are known to create nests within walls and floors.
Both types can be eradicated through baiting. However, insecticides aren’t recommended when dealing with a pharaoh ant infestation and can cause more colonies to develop.
How Do You Fix Home Infestations?
As mentioned, different species of ants require alternate methods of treatment. However, there are many basic, preventative methods you can employ to reduce the risk of infestation.
A common-sense method is to keep your home as clean as possible. Remove as many food particles as you can, keep your floors and sinks spotless, empty your trash containers at the earliest convenience and remove any moist spots. You should also seal open food packets or keep food inside containers, so they aren’t susceptible to invasion.
Remove moist spots and fix any water leaks around your pipes, because ants will seize on spills without a moment’s notice. Cleaning with soap and water is often a go-to defense mechanism. However, you can even use natural products around your house such as cinnamon (ants hate its strong smell), or white vinegar.
You can also seal locations where ants enter your house such as a crack in the wall or any gaps on your home’s structure. Furthermore, you should move any debris such as tree limbs away from your home. Pruning the trees, so they don’t overlap will prevent ants from using them as a conduit to get inside.
If you’re in Edmonton and ants have become unwanted house guests, Harlow Pest Control will help you escort them out. Get in touch now!