Categories
Ant Control

3 Signs Your Home Has an Ant Infestation

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:

  1. 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!

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

Categories
Ant Control

Ant Control and Prevention in Austin, TX

Ants are small, hard-bodied insects that can be found all over the world. While they may be small, they can cause a lot of damage if they are left untreated. Ants can contaminate food, damage furniture, and cause health problems. This article will discuss the different types of ants that can invade your Austin, TX home, how to identify them, and how to get rid of them.

What type of ants is in my home?

Many types of ants can invade your home, but the most common are carpenter ants, sugar ants, and pavement ants. Carpenter ants are the largest of the three, and they can seriously damage your home by boring into the wood. Another type of ant that can invade your home is the Pharaoh ant, also known as the sugar ant. These black, tiny ants are attracted to sweets and are often found in areas where food is stored. They can contaminate food and spread disease. Finally, pavement ants are brown and minuscule, and they live in the cracks in the pavement. If you’re not sure what type of ant is in your home, you can try to identify it by its size, color, and behavior. If you’re still not sure what type of ant it is, or if you want to get rid of them, you can call a professional pest control company.

How do I know if I have an ant infestation?

If you think you might have an ant infestation, starting treatment as soon as possible is essential. Here are a few signs to look for.

  1. You see live ants in your home.
  2. Trails of ants are seen going to or from your house.
  3. There are ant hills in your yard or around your home.
  4. The wood in or around your house sounds hollow or crumbles easily.
  5. There are dead ant bodies in your house.

What can I do to prevent ants in my home?

You can do various things to prevent ants from entering your home in the first place. The most important thing is to keep your home clean and free of food and water sources for the ants. Another crucial step is to close off any cracks or openings in your home’s exterior. Make sure that all your doors and windows fit tightly, and use caulk to seal any gaps.  If you have an ant problem, you can also use a pest control spray or bait to get rid of the ants. You should also keep your yard clean and free of debris, as ants often use these piles as a food source.

How can I get rid of ants?

If you’re dealing with an ant infestation, there are some things you can do to get rid of these troublesome critters.

  • Vacuum up the ants and their nests.
  • Put down a layer of diatomaceous earth, which will kill the ants.
  • Make an ant bait by mixing one cup of sugar, one cup of water, and two tablespoons of borax in the container. Place the bait near where you have seen the ants crawling. They will be drawn to the sweet smell and take the bait back to their nest. The borax will kill the ants once they eat it.
  • Contact a professional exterminator. This is the best way to ensure the ants are taken care of at the source and do not return.

If you see a few scout ants in your Austin, Texas, home, they will likely invite their friends to set up residence in your house, and none of these are welcome guests! To eliminate them quickly and easily, your best bet is to call in professionals. Don’t just learn to live with ants; contact DM Pest Control today.