How To Get Rid Of Ants In Your Home
Ants are a common problem for homeowners. They can be challenging to get rid of because they are usually found in places where generally people don’t want to see them. Ants can be found anywhere in the house, including in the kitchen, pantry, and bathroom. They may also be coming from outside your home, such as a park, backyard or a building near your home.
Once you know where the ants are coming from, you can take steps to prevent them from returning there. The four common ants types are; 1-pavement ants 2-citronella ants 3-pharaoh ants 4-big carpenter ants. Ants in your home area can cause problems for your home, especially with the carpenter ants, so it’s essential to know how to get rid of them safely.
Set out traps (dummy baits)
The first thing you should do is to set out traps. You can use ant bait, such as sugar baking soda water or baking soda mixed with peanut butter, but be careful not to place them where they could get into your food or on something you’ll eat. If you put the bait in a cup or dish with water, remove it after 73 hours and replace it with fresh bait for best results.
You can also use over the counter boric acid, which is available at most hardware stores and gardening centers. It is safe for pets and humans and doesn’t harm wildlife; however, be sure to read the label before using it around pets or children.
Clean up the food sources
Ants are attracted to everything but mostly sweet foods, so you must remove the food sources that attract them. If you see an ant trail, take a cloth and wipe the floor where you see it. You can also sweep up crumbs in areas such as under a kitchen sink or near a window for the trail to be distracted.
If you have ants in your basement, it could be because there are leaks in the foundation or plumbing system. Check around your sump pump and make sure you don’t have water dripping out of it. Fix any leaks as soon as you notice them.
Use insecticides responsibly and pay close attention to product instructions
Insecticides are a quick and easy way to eliminate ants in your home. They can be purchased at most grocery and hardware stores, or you can make your DIY solutions from household items. Consider using an insecticide if you’re looking for an effective, long-lasting solution that won’t cost much.
You can buy these products in liquid and granular forms, so you have several options. When using an insecticide, make sure you follow the product instructions carefully. The label will tell you how often to apply it and how long it needs to stay on the surface where you want it to work.
Alternatively, you can use homemade solutions like mint oil. This natural repellent is safe for pets, children, and adults alike. To use it, spray it on the ants or pour some in their trails. It will act as a deterrent against other insects that may follow the same path as the ants. It’s also easy on the environment since it doesn’t contain chemicals or toxins that could harm you or your family members’ health over time. Never mix organic recipes with purchased insecticides.
Keep food waste in sealed containers
Food waste should be kept in sealed containers so ants can’t get to it. If you’re going to throw out food scraps, do so in a non-biodegradable plastic bag. Ants are attracted to the smell of rotting food and will carry the food back to their nests, where they’ll feed on it. When cleaning up after pets or kids, ensure that any crumbs or spills are disposed of properly. Otherwise, ants will find them and return them to their colonies for later consumption. Always keep your floor clean.
Seal all cracks with caulk or silicone
Ants will travel through cracks and crevices, so seal all gaps with caulk or silicone. This will help prevent them from entering and getting into your home again. You can also use silicone spray paste around doors and windows to keep them shut closed.
Caulking is an inexpensive way to seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and other openings. You can find caulking in most hardware stores or home improvement centers. It comes in many colors to match your home’s color, such as clear or white.
Silicone works well for sealing larger cracks and holes because it stays flexible and does not dry out like other types of caulk do such as foam. Silicone also has a long shelf life, so it’s ideal if you plan on doing this job more than once a year.
Call Maximum A Professional Ants Exterminator Nearby
When you have ants in your home, it’s not just a matter of “punching them in the face” and hoping for the best. Ants are tough and can be incredibly difficult to get rid of. In fact, even if you manage to kill all of them (which is not easy), you’re still going to have to deal with their dead bodies. That’s why we recommend calling an exterminator near you as soon as possible.
Maximum pest control services ant’s exterminators specialize in getting rid of ants and other pests that infest homes, schools and businesses located; Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Hamilton and Mississauga Ontario. They will attend right away and take care of all the invading insects causing the problems, then clean up after themselves so that no one knows they were there for pest control
The Bottom Line
Ants are pesky insects that can take over your home, so it’s essential to learn how to control them. Fortunately, a few methods you can try at home should suffice. Just remember that some ways take time, and if you focus on the task, you shouldn’t have trouble eliminating these little pests in time.
If the ants issue continue to be a problem, spray chemical treatments are also available from Maximum, though these may require a bit more caution than the other over the counter methods. Do some research, and try different methods over time to find which one is best for your residential. If you still find yourself with an ant problem, contact Maximum pest control services certified and bonded residential commercial pest control exterminators calling today (905) 582-5502 or (289) 396-5426.