If you haven’t experienced an ant infestation on your property, then you’re one of the lucky few. However, if you’re like most people, you’ve probably done everything you can just to get rid of ants in your house.
Ants are considered the #1 nuisance pest in the US. With around 700 species roaming the entire country and more than 20 types known to cause an infestation, it’s not surprising why a lot of people report having issues with ants in their homes.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can follow to get rid of ants and prevent them from coming back. They are as follows:
#1: Maintain Clean Surroundings
As far as an ant infestation is concerned, keeping your surroundings clean will help you reduce their population significantly. After all, ants will need water, food, and shelter in order to survive. If they find a steady supply of their basic necessities, it won’t take long before they can build a colony.
In order to prevent such thing from happening, it’s important to clean your house and store any foods and liquids in appropriate containers. Also, make sure you clean up any spills as soon as possible.
#2: Block or Destroy their Entry Points
You should take time to check your house for any possible entry points. If there are nearby trees and bushes, it’s ideal to trim them away from your house. It’s also important to seal any cracks and crevices located around your house with a silicone sealant.
#3: Use Ant Baits
According to Barrier Pest Control, one of the most effective methods for controlling or even eliminating an ant infestation is using ant baits. During the onset of an ant infestation, you have to set ant baits in places where you see a large group of ants. You can try using different brands available on the market until you can find one that works for the type of ants on your property.
#4: Destroy the Colony and Its Queen
An ant infestation isn’t possible without a colony and its queen. Even if you eliminate ants you can see around your house over and over again, you still won’t be able to stop the infestation if you leave the queen unharmed.
After all, it is the queen who lays all of the eggs. Once these eggs hatch, they will grow into adult ants, thus repeating the cycle.
#5: Refrain from Using Spray
If you spray the ants you see in your house, you’ll never be able to figure out where they came from. Even if the worker ants are killed by spraying, the colony will simply send out more. Hence, before you even think about using a spray, figure out where the queen nests. Once you do, you may then start using a spray to kill the queen along with her colony.
Conclusion
An ant infestation is absolutely annoying. While you can perform DIY pest control, it’s important to call for the services of a professional pest control company if the infestation goes beyond your control.