There’s a lot to love about spring, summer, and fall, but one part that most people don’t like about these warmer months are the ant invasions that can occur. While most ant infestations are not really dangerous to you or your property (with the exception of a few species), the little crawlers are still a nuisance. There are a few ways to rid your home of ants, but the best thing you can do is stop the infestation before it even starts. Here’s how you can prevent ants from entering your home.
Indoor Prevention Tips
Ants are constantly on the march for food, and there are a few ways to keep them from finding it in your house. One of the most effective methods you can take is to eliminate food messes immediately. Sweep up crumbs and wipe up spills right away, because it doesn’t take long for ants to find them. Also, be sure to store foods in the refrigerator or in airtight containers so the bugs can’t access them.
You can take these preventative methods even further too, by cleaning with products that repel ants. Wiping your counters down with a vinegar and water solution will keep the critters away because ants hate the smell of vinegar. You can also try spraying lemon juice or peppermint oil around doors, windows, or other places ants might get in, as they dislike these as well. Dish soap is another ant repellant, and all it takes to keep them away is a thin line of liquid soap along baseboards, window sills, or other places the ants gather or travel.
Outdoor Prevention Tips
There a number of things you can do outside your home as well to deter ants. Start by using caulk to seal off any cracks or crevices that ants might try to use as their own personal highway into your home. Trim back bushes and shrubs so they’re farther from your house, and keep your gutters clean and clear of debris that may attract ants. If you can, try feeding your pets outside away from the house to eliminate pet food as a food source for the ants, and be sure to keep your trash cans away from the house as well. You’ll also want to look regularly for ant mounds to see if any colonies have taken up residence nearby. If they have, you can treat the colony directly with an insecticide.
Prevention is key to keeping pesky ants out of your space. However, if you’ve taken these steps and the ants are still finding a way inside, it’s time to call a Brevard County pest control professional. A licensed exterminator can assess the infestation, identify the entry/exit points, and come up with a strategy that will eliminate your ant problem.