As the weather starts to heat up and wildlife begins to wake up, it’s best to be prepared for anything that may try to invade your home.
Nearly everyone and everything enjoys the spring weather, but there is one creature that can definitely ruin the experience.
The phrase “ants at a picnic” exists for a reason, but it turns out there are worse things — like ants in your home. Don’t worry; there are ways to keep these tiny creepy crawlies out of your home and yard.
Here are seven quick tips on how to get rid of ants from your kitchen to your yard.
1. Track Them Down: Find Out Where They Are Coming From
If you do discover some tiny segmented invaders in your pantry or kitchen, the first thing you should do is find out how they got in. Check areas ants frequent or places they might appear.
Watch where they go and try to see where these little pests are coming from. Some common areas you will find ants include damp areas, like under sinks. Soft spongey areas beneath plumbing or leaks can be a draw.
Check the framing and flooring, especially around windows, doors, and vents. Other areas besides kitchens ants frequent include attics, bathrooms, and walls. Do some recon and find out where these pests are coming in so you can seal up any possible openings.
2. Erase Ant Trails
Maybe you’ve only spotted one ant. Well, be wary; a single ant is usually sent out to scout. If you see one, don’t panic. However, if you do spot one invader, there are bound to be others.
Stop them from casing the place by shutting down the scout teams. Ants typically leave behind a trail for other ants to follow. To put an end to this, you’ll need to create a solution to erase it completely.
Creating a solution is simple. Mix one-part vinegar with three parts water and you have a safe, non-toxic way to erase ant trails.
3. Baits and Traps
Unfortunately, it may be too late to cut-off the scout team. Don’t worry; there are other methods you can use to stop them. One easy solution is using baits and traps.
These over-the-counter killers are usually sold in small containers that you can place just about anywhere. Since they are sealed, they are less dangerous than sprays. However, it’s a good idea to keep them out of reach from animals and children.
You can stick these little traps wherever you see activity:
- Cabinets
- Countertops
- Dinks
- Under the stove
- Drains
- Pipes and cables
- Bathrooms
- Medicine cabinets
If you are using traps, the ants will go inside and won’t come back out. If you are trying out the bait, resist the urge to squash. Ants will take the bait back to their colonies and destroy it from within. Either method can be effective in getting rid of these pests for good.
4. Keep Things Clean
When ants work their way inside your home, they are on the lookout for one thing: food. The best thing you can do is make sure they aren’t robbing your pantry blind. After meals and cooking, clean things as thoroughly as possible. Wipe counters and floors down, and wash dishes regularly.
Store your food, including pet food, in sealed containers. Try not to leave any uneaten food out and keep meals contained in one or two rooms. If you cut off their food source, the ants will look elsewhere for their free meals.
5. Keep Yard Trim
Moving outside your house, ants thrive in overgrown areas. Weeds, high grass, and untamed yards are perfects spots to build colonies. They can even find cracks in the pavement and build a colony there. To keep ants out of your yard and away from your home, care for your lawn regularly.
Cut grass often and keep an eye on your weed growth. As stated, ants can find plenty of places to build multiple ant hills, including sidewalks, damp areas, and even around the foundation of your home. However, keeping things trim will make it easier to spot.
6. Boiling Water on Ant Hills
Ants fortify their hills to have multiple compartments, and they are most definitely safe from rain. However, boiling hot water is another story. If you know where the ant hills are in your yard, try pouring boiling water onto them.
Be sure to treat all the areas where you spot ant mounds, and keep in mind, it may take a few times. This method won’t kill all the ants, but it will kill many. A few pots of hot water may just do the trick.
7. Seal Off Entry Points
The best way to get rid of ants in your home is to stop them from getting inside at all. Seal any possible openings; they don’t have to be large. Ants can slip through cracks and broken seams quite easily.
Make sure your windows seal, your vents are covered, and any cracks are filled in. Regular maintenance on your home should make it easy to keep ants and all manner of pests out.
No More Ants at This Picnic
Don’t let ants ruin this season. Use these tips and tricks to stop these pests from getting in and to discourage them from staying. If you suspect you may have an ant problem that is more than you can handle, don’t hesitate to contact a pest control expert for a quick and easy inspection. Enjoy your home and your yard, ant-free.
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