As the weather heats up and windows and doors are propped open, many homeowners find themselves dealing with insect problems. Ants are not only an annoyance to your home, but can be hard to get rid of without the right ant control methods.
We have five easy ways for you to arm your home against an ant infestation, and we also provide environmentally friendly pest control when the problem is out of your hands.
Watch for Ant Scouts
Most ants will basically advertise that they are looking for a place to live when they send out their ant scouts to determine how vulnerable your home is. Keeping your kitchen clean is an important part of creating an inhospitable environment for ants to live.
- Clear dirty dishes quickly
- Vacuum and sweep on a daily basis
- Always seal containers with food items
- Rinse containers, bottles or jars that have leftover sticky residue Seal fragrant items
Always keep your kitchen free of sticky, greasy, sweet foods that ants can eat from.
Seal Access Points
As you’re cleaning your kitchen, look for the ways that ants are getting into your home. If possible, follow the ants to see where they are coming from. If you find entrance holes, seal them with glue, plaster, silicone caulk or putty.
Once you’ve found the path, put one teaspoon of dish soap in a spray bottle filled with water. Spray the area to remove the chemical trail and kill the ants.
Deterrents and Barriers That Work for Ants
Certain items work as a deterrent for ants as soon as they enter the home. Many of the products you need are commonly used kitchen items and you may already have them. When you place barriers, remember that you can trap ants INSIDE the kitchen, and barriers should only be used to keep ants out. Try some of the following products to create a barrier:
- Cinnamon
- Citrus oil
- Baby powder
- Chalk
- Powdered charcoal
- Splenda
- Coffee grounds
- Baking soda and dish soap
There are many items that work as a deterrent for ants, and these offer simple, easy ways to keep your home insect free.
Bait the Ants
Ants can be baited with food sources or with specific ant bait, depending on which you prefer.You can make your own ant bait from boric acid and maple syrup, or use cornmeal or coffee grounds in an area where the ants will see it.
Call a Professional
If the problem is overwhelming and outside of your control, it may be time to call a professional. Here at Planet Orange, we use green, environmentally friendly methods to rid your home of ants and other pests. Call us today to learn more about our ant exterminator program.