Ant Management
Ants are social creatures that work together and live in a colony, which means if you see one ant roaming around your house, there are more out there. A stubborn ant infestation can be annoying. Out of all the species of ants, there are only a few that are harmful. For example, carpenter ants can cause significant house damage, and some kinds of ants spread bacteria. For those reasons and the annoyance factor, homeowners will want to deal with these pests as soon as possible.
Here are tips for treating ant infestation:
Finding the nest
The first thing to do to help get rid of the ants is to find their nest, which isn't always straightforward. To do so, follow their trails. Worker ants make trails as they move about the house so that other ants can follow their pheromone and find the food source.
Look at all the floor and carpet edges, especially the floor in and around the kitchen. Also, examine the home's outdoor foundation walls and mulch, as they might be hiding there. Check under and around the patio, too. Ants can hide there as well.
After locating the trail, try to determine where ants go after they get food. A trail should lead to their nest, making it possible to proceed with the next steps.
Using the ant bait on trails
After locating the nest, it may be tempting to spray store-purchased pesticides. However, these can often be harmful to humans and animals, especially when misapplied. Plus, pesticides don't get rid of all ants. Instead, use ant baits, especially if the trails are inside the house. Ant baits contain sugary carbohydrates, which is why they're a perfect food source for ants. But, they're also poisonous to ants, so placing them will help eliminate the problem.
Although not harmful to people and animals, the ant baits should still be placed when no one is at home. Moreover, leave them close to the trail so that ants can easily find them.
Using the pesticides outside
If an inspection uncovers a colony of ants nesting outside the home, it may be possible to use pesticides. But we're talking about powerful, toxic chemicals, so you need to get the approved type and read the label carefully for proper usage.
Furthermore, make sure you've found the actual root of the problem. Some ants aren't harmful and are good for the garden and shouldn't be killed with deadly pesticides.
Keep the house clean
Like any pests, ants love houses that offer spilled food and crumbs. To prevent an infestation in the future, sweep and mop the floors regularly, and seal opened packages.
No more ants!
Although generally harmless, ants can become a stubborn problem. They occupy crevices, and some can cause infections. To prevent that, either deal with them using the steps we've outlined here, or call a professional pest control service, who can manage an ant problem safely and effectively.
Kinder Safe Pest Solutions offers 17 years experience in commercial and residential pest control serving Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Hillsborough, and Pinellas Counties. Call (941)254-2180 today!