If you have ever had the unfortunate experience of dealing with ants in your home, you know that they can be a real nuisance. Not only are they annoying, but they can also be a health hazard. If you're seeing ants in your home, there's a good chance you have an ant infestation. While all ants aren't necessarily bad, an infestation can lead to problems like food contamination and structural damage. Here are three signs that you may have an ant infestation:
- You See Ants in or Around Your Home
This may seem obvious, but there are actually various ways ants can be in or around your home that you should take notice of.
- Single Ants
Even if you see a few ants and think there is no cause to worry, think again. Ants go in groups, not one by one. So you will want to investigate even a single ant in your residence.
- Ant Trails
Ants leave a trail of pheromones for the other ants to observe so they can find their way back home to their colony. Therefore, you have a problem if you notice a line of ants going in or out of your home.
- Dead Scouts
Ants will scout your home to discover food and water and report back to the colony. Sometimes these ants will die and leave their bodies behind. When you notice this, you may suspect an ant infestation.
- Ants inside your trees
Check the trees around your house because ants like making dead trees their home and will nest in the branches and trunk. If the tree is close to your home, they can creep inside and take up residence there too!
- There Are Ant Mounds Around Your House
Ants build large dirt mounds for their colonies which can house thousands of ants. Of course, you do not want those ants invading your home, so be aware. If multiple mounds are near your home, these troublesome insects will enter your house to look for food or water.
- Your House’s Wood Looks or Sounds Different
One of the most difficult things about an ant infestation is that sometimes you can’t actually see the infested ants. These bothersome critters like to burrow inside the wood and can cause structural damage to your home. If you notice crumbling wood, you definitely have an infestation. Sometimes, however, the wood looks fine, but if you knock on it, it will sound hollow because it's been compromised. If this occurs, a pest control expert must be called immediately.
How to get rid of ants once you've identified them
There are various methods for treating ants, depending on the species. Some standard techniques include:
- Bait
Baits are a popular choice for getting rid of ants, as they can be tailored to a specific species. Various bait options are available, including sugar water, honey, or boric acid.
- Insecticides
Insecticides can be used to get rid of ants both indoors and outdoors. They are available as sprays, powders, or granules.
- Traps
Traps are another option for getting rid of ants. There are a variety of traps available, including liquid traps, bait traps, and adhesive traps.
Prevent ants from entering your home
You can do a few things to help prevent ants from entering your home. One is to keep your kitchen clean and free of food scraps. You can also use a sealant to seal up any cracks or openings in your home where ants might be able to enter.
Ants can be challenging to get rid of. They can creep into every tiny crack and crevice in your home. Taking action as soon as you notice one is crucial; the longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove them. Happily, the experts at DM Pest Control can help you determine and implement the safest and most effective strategy for eliminating ants for good.
