When ants invade your home, it can go from being a small problem to a huge one pretty quickly. Ants form colonies, and those colonies seem to multiply in a short amount of time when left unchecked. Here are some tips for keeping those pesky ants out of your home.
Seal Entry Points
Ants can enter your house through small cracks and openings. Inspect your home for any gaps in windows, doors, pipes, or the foundation, and seal them off using caulk or weatherstripping to prevent ants from entering.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
Keep your home clean, especially the kitchen and dining areas where food particles can attract ants. Sweep and vacuum regularly, wipe down surfaces, and promptly clean up spills or crumbs. The less food or liquid residue that can be found around your home, the less likely you are to attract pests like ants.
Remove Food and Water Sources
Ants love moisture and easily accessible food. Fix any leaks or drips in your house and ensure proper drainage. Keep pet food areas clean, and wipe up spills or standing water as soon as you find them. Store food in airtight containers to prevent ants from being drawn to it.
Use Natural Deterrents
Cinnamon, black pepper, mint and vinegar are known to naturally repel ants. Create a diluted solution with these items, and spray it near entry points, corners, or known ant trails. Additionally, you can buy ant-repelling plants like lavender, peppermint, or citronella to keep ants away.
Call the Pros
If you struggle with ants despite taking preventative measures, consider calling the pros. DIY ant baits will help solve the immediate problem, but they won’t keep ants away from your home.
A professional pest control company can assess your ant problem, eliminate the infestation, and help keep ants from coming back in full force. Additionally, you can set up a maintenance plan with the pest control company for guaranteed control of crawling insects like ants.
Preventative measures can be effective, but they can only do so much for an active infestation. The Des Moines ant control experts at Pro-Staff are here to help when ants invade your home. Call us at 515-279-7378 or contact us online.