Noticing insects invading your house can be a real nuisance. It is no less than a nightmare for a house owner watching a pile of ants sitting on the kitchen shelf early in the morning. But don’t panic! Several strategies for insect control for home are available to avoid future infestation and control their population. Ants are invading your property because of three sources: food, water, and shelter.
You can make food and water inaccessible to kick ants out of your house. Sometimes, sealing food and making water inaccessible might be insufficient, especially if the ants eat wood and live inside the house walls. If you try these steps and the invasion doesn’t go away, hiring professional ant control for home is your next line of defense.
Insect Control For Home: Major Sources That Attract Ants
In the outdoor wild places, ants find water, food and shelter differently. But they can easily access all these resources under one roof, i.e., on a home property. Therefore, ants are widespread to be seen in residential buildings. As they start nesting indoors, they also escape from weather and predators. Three significant sources which can be an attractant for them are:
Food Sources
Food is the primary source that attracts ants and other pests into your house. Leave a dirty dish on the shelf overnight; the next morning, you will see a pile of ants partying. The more you leave food accessible for insects, the more they will love to return to your property. Ants love to eat:
- Salt
- Sugar
- Grease
- Carbs
- Protein
Because ants are attracted to sweet smells, they might enter your house to target candles, laundry detergents or other sweet-scented products.
Water Sources
Water or moisture is another fundamental necessity for insects. Any house with drippy faucets or leaky pipes should be ready to see an army of insects on their property. An easily accessible water source makes it easier for ants to camp inside a house. This is why they are commonly seen in bathrooms and kitchen areas. Best solution for insect control Langley is to keep an eye on water pipelines and fix them immediately. Use a dehumidifier for spaces like the bathroom and fix all leaky pipes.
Shelter
Ants like warm, dark environments in which to build their nest. Depending on the ant species, they build a nest inside a house or anywhere closer to water and food. When ants search for food, they leave a pheromone trail to find food sources for other species. That’s why you notice almost all ants parading straight towards a destination. And that destination is towards food.
Unlocking Different Ant Species and Their Behaviour
Different ant species show different behaviour in terms of how they build trails and nests. Each one of them has their characteristics. Knowing what species are in your house can help you take specific steps for insect removal Burnaby. A few common ant species are:
Carpenter Ants
Evident from its name, these ants chew up wood and prefer building their nests inside it. These species are known to do structural damage, commonly attacking house furniture. They prefer moldy or wet wood as it is easier to chew.
Odorous Ants
These ants prefer to nest in different places, both indoors and outdoors. They forge 24/7; therefore, noticing them throughout the day is very common. Hence, these ants tend to move outdoors during the rainy season.
Pavement Ants
Evident from its name, these ant species build their nests under pavement. Most homeowners have paved driveways and patios; therefore, pavement ants enter your house in proximity.
Little Black Ants
Last, we have little black ants commonly found in kitchen areas searching for food. They generally prefer to live outdoors but move indoors in search of food. Compared to other ant species, they are pretty tiny in structure.
Preventive Tips to Stop Ants From Coming Into Your House
If you constantly notice so many ants around your property, taking preventive insect control Abbotsford measures at home is essential. Even if they are in small numbers, you still have no idea how fast they can multiply overnight. A few measures to follow are:
Proper Cleaning and Regular Maintenance
You should assess your property weekly to see which areas are in danger of an infestation attack. Does dirty laundry sit in the washing area for so many days? Do you leave food on kitchen shelves open and out overnight? Is there standing water in the basement and kitchen? To avoid all such hassles, you have to:
- Store the food in sealed, airtight containers.
- Fix any dripping or leaky pipes in kitchen areas.
- Wash the clothes in the laundry area after every two days.
- Vacuum or sweep the floor after every meal.
- Put the pet food away when they are not having it.
- Wipe down your kitchen counters and table after every meal.
- Remove any candles or detergents that have a sweet smell.
Sealing Entry Points
Another essential step for insect control Surrey to take is sealing all entry points. Almost every pest enters your house through small gaps or cracks in windows or doors. It is essential to examine them all and seal them immediately. Check the house exterior for any damage, crevices or cracks that let them enter. Seal the cracks by using caulking or weather-stripping.
Yard and Garden Care
Maintaining yard and regular garden care is very important for a quick insect removal Maple Ridge. Avoid planting sweet-smelling plants. Trim any extra branches or trees that can be a source for pests to enter roof or attic areas. Use a weed trimmer to cut grass and clean up all dead leaves.
FAQs
Are ants attracted to clutter?
It depends on what kind of clutter is surrounded by your house. Ants always search for three sources: food, water, and shelter. If your home is a bit chaotic, it is common for ants to get attracted to it as they are finding all sources in the property.
Did dirty laundry attract ants?
Yes, it can because dirty laundry has moisture and salt, a significant attractant for ants. If the clothes smell of perfume or have stains, ants would love to stay on it all the time.
Does removing the ant trail kill the infestation completely?
No, it does not! Just removing the ant trail is not enough. If the queen ant survives, there is a possibility that she will build a new colony in a similar location.
What is causing insects to rush into your house?
This is generally because either they are finding new food sources or might have a nice corner in your house where they can calmly build a nest. During colder months, ants migrate to dry and warm places to live.
Schedule an Inspection With ASM Pest Control Solutions
If you constantly notice ants in business or at home, contacting ASM Pest Control is the best solution. We have eco-friendly and natural ways of dealing with insect infestations ruining your house structure. Our process starts with a house inspection to decide which removal method can work best. Contact us now and book house inspection appointments for quick results.
