4 Simple Ant-Prevention Tips Any Homeowner Can Handle
Preventing pests from entering and infesting your home can be tricky, especially since different pests are attracted to different things. In addition, some pests are more harmful than others. While frightening to see, roaches are not usually harmful to the construction of your home. Ants, on the other hand, can be dangerous. Certain species, such as carpenter ants, can do similar damage to termites. Plus, fire ants can bite you, causing pain and even dangerous allergic reactions. Thankfully, preventing ants from harming your home and your health is possible. Here are a few simple solutions you need to know if you want to prevent ants from entering your home.
Clean Up Inside
Firstly, it is important to note that ants are attracted to both clean and dirty homes, so having a clean and tidy home does not necessarily offer complete protection from ants. However, if you have food residue and crumbs lingering on the surfaces in your home, your home will be more appealing to ants—and other pests.
If you want to protect your home from ants, make sure to clean up any spills in your home immediately. Do not let food linger on your countertops or floors. Pick up and wash glasses, cups, bowls, plates, and bags of food immediately from around your home, too.
Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors regularly so all residue and crumbs are picked up. Remember to take out trash in your kitchens and bathrooms because food and ingredients inside waste bins and trash bags can also appeal to ants. Always remember that even a small amount of food particles and residue can attract ants.
Improve Storage
It is also important that you store food items and other ingredients properly. Avoid placing unopened bags of cereal and chips or boxes of cookies and crackers in your cabinets or pantry. Place these items in a sealed container with an air-tight lid. It only takes a small opening for odors to seep out, attracting ants and other pests into your home.
Clean Up Outside
The outside of your home also deserves some attention if you want to protect yourself from ants.
Trash bins should be stored away for the home's exterior. Also, make sure any piles of project lumber and firewood are stored in a clean, safe place. Carpenter ants are attracted to moisture and wood, just like termites, so having this debris around your home can increase the risk of an ant infestation.
Search your yard for ant hills and ant trails. Pouring a solution containing vinegar and water directly into the ant hill will kill an existing colony. If you have any trails stemming from the hills, make sure to treat them with the vinegar solution, or have a professional pesticide applied by your pest control team.
Improve Home Exterior
Walk around your home and inspect the entire exterior for small cracks and fissures. Use caulk or silicone sealant to close off these openings, which is important for pest control for many reasons.
Sealing these cracks will reduce the risk of pests entering, but it will also prevent moisture from seeping inside. Since moisture is another common cause of pest infestation, controlling moisture will also deter ants from entering your home.
Finally, invest in periodic ant pest control services. Applied to the entire perimeter of your home, professional pesticides create a barrier between your home and the outdoors, killing and repelling ants and other pests that want to come into your home.
Ants may be small, but they can cause big problems. With proper understanding, you can help prevent ants from entering your home or treat an existing ant problem. This guide will help you learn a few simple solutions to reduce your home's risk of ants.