Ants are one of the most well-known household pests. They’re always getting into pantries and kitchen cupboards, and are hard to get rid of once they’re in space. But ant prevention is easy with the right measures.
Why Bother?
Ants are a serious nuisance, contaminate food, and even cause structural damage to your property in large numbers in the case of carpenter ants. Some types of ants can also cause an allergic reaction in you, your family members, or your pets.
How Do They Even Get In?
Ants are often active in the spring and fall, and if the weather changes, ants will often head inside to get out of the rain. It’s actually a fairly easy process for them. They can enter your home through any small crack or opening, from under your door or even through some small space in your siding. Though they’re small, they can turn into a big problem in large numbers.
Keeping Them Out
There are lots of ways to help with ant prevention. Regular outdoor maintenance can be very helpful, as well as cleaning your gutters, trimming your shrubbery, and keeping mulch and landscaping materials at least six inches away from your foundation. Picking up grass clippings, fallen fruit, and trash off of your lawn can also help keep the ants away from your property.
Inside your house, there are more methods of ant control . It’s good to keep your spaces clean and free of crumbs and trash, and it’s a good idea to frequently clean your microwave, toaster, trash can, and stove to prevent any ants from getting in. You should also clean up spills promptly, as well as keeping fruit and bread in the fridge or airtight containers, instead of loose on the counter.
If you have standing water anywhere, it’s also a good idea to clean it up. Not just spills, but puddles, dripping faucets, or even wet washcloths can all lead to ants. Be especially mindful of spills containing sugar like juice or soda as these can be highly attractive to ants.
Stop the Invasion
Hoping for a bit of help keeping the ants out? Give CAPE Pest Control a call today.