Are ants invading your home? Here’s how to prevent colonies from invading, according to experts.
Do you see lines of ants marching across your floor? Around this time of year, ants start making unwanted visits to your home in search of a snack.
Spring is when ants finally begin to migrate above ground from their underground colonies. When the soil warms to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you may see ants emerge and invade your home.
Dr. Tom Mascari, an entomologist with the S.C. Johnson Insect Science Center, said, “As temperatures rise, migration and foraging increases, and colonies begin a period of growth and reproduction, which increases demand for food.” “Seasonal rains can also disturb or flood nests, causing ants to seek drier conditions and become more numerous inside homes.”
If you’re looking for ways to avoid these pesky critters, here’s everything you need to know about the best ways to prevent ant infestations from experts.
Where are the most common places for ants to first invade?
“Ants are known to invade wherever they have the resources they need to survive, but their most common target is the kitchen,” said Dr. Jim Fredericks, a certified entomologist and senior vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association.
What exactly are ants looking for? In addition to food, water and shelter, Fredericks said she is also looking for crumbs, sticky drink crumbs, fruit and even leftover pet food. Sinks are also unsafe, as ants see the slightest leak as a great way to get water.
“Ants typically enter through small gaps around windows, doors, utility lines, and foundations. By sealing cracks, repairing screens, and keeping surfaces clean, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of infestation,” Wonderside officials said. “Outdoors, ants commonly nest along foundations, under rocks, in mulch, or under patios and slabs.”
What is the best way to treat an indoor ant infestation?
Fredericks says that for every ant you find in your home, it’s safe to say there are thousands more hiding just below the surface. Entomologists said finding ant tracks was just the “tip of the iceberg”. As you follow the path, you may find a large colony just a few feet away.
“A qualified pest control professional can identify the species, locate the colony, and develop a targeted treatment plan to stop the infestation at the source. “Remember, ants are more than just a nuisance.” They can also pose a health and structural threat. Carpenter ants can damage wood, and fire ants and needle ants can sting. ”
Dr. Tom Mascari recommends using ant bait such as Raid Max® Liquid Ant Bait. Ant baits, Mascari said, “use food substrates that are brought into the colony by the workers, where they are fed to other workers, larvae, and the queen. So you end up killing the queen and the colony.”
Mascari and Fredericks recommend:
- Maintain good hygiene to remove food residue. Ants require very little food to survive, so even small crumbs can sustain a colony.
- Fix leaking faucets, clean gutters, and remove standing water from bird baths, plant saucers, and clogged drains that ants can use as water sources.
- Wipe down your countertops after every meal and clean up crumbs regularly.
- Store sweets like honey, sugar, and syrups in clean, airtight containers, and be sure to remove any residue left on the outside.
- Seal the entrance to prevent intrusion. Ants can enter through openings as small as millimeters and can use pheromone tracks to lure other ants inside.
- Reduce moisture, which can attract ants. Many species are attracted to water sources, especially during dry weather.
What is the best way to treat an outdoor ant infestation?
If you notice an outdoor ant infestation, you should contact a professional exterminator. Fredericks said bugs that get outdoors are more likely to make their way indoors.
Other tips to keep in mind are:
- Remove excess vegetation, old landscaping materials (soil, stones, paving stones, etc.), garden debris, and rotting tree stumps. These are important locations for ant colonies.
- Keep mulch at least 15 inches away from your home’s foundation. Mulch retains moisture and provides ideal conditions for nesting.
- Trim bushes and branches from the outside of your home. Ants can use these as highways to enter your home. What is the best non-toxic/organic way to treat ants?
- The best way to organically prevent ants from invading your home and surrounding areas is to keep them on the attack. You must keep your kitchen and garden clean to avoid insects.
One way to keep ants from taking over your home is to plant flowers that contain essential oils that ants don’t like. “Some oils are known to interfere with ant scent trails, and continuous application may help repel ants or suppress their activity, although effectiveness may vary by species and environment,” a representative from Wondercide said in a statement.
meet an expert
- Dr. Tom Mascari, entomologist at the SC Johnson Insect Science Center
- Dr. Jim Fredericks, Certified Entomologist and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, National Pest Management Association
- Wonderside representative
