Ants are one of the more common home invaders in spring. Looking for new food and water sources, your home is an easy target for these quickly spreading nuisances. Ants are explorers and can easily get in through cracks, gaps, and other openings. And once they’ve found something they like, they create a scent trail that can attract other members of their colony.
Stopping them from getting into your home is fairly easy, though it might be a good idea to call a professional if you have an infestation on your hands. Here are three things you can do to keep invading ants out of your home.
Close Up the Openings
As mentioned, ants can easily get into your house through just about any opening they find. This includes cracks in your house’s foundation, holes in window screens, openings around window sills and doorways, and even some vents.
Take some time to inspect both the inside and outside of your house, particularly around the foundation and base. Seal up any cracks or openings, replace weather stripping, replace torn window screens, etc. It’s also a good idea to check around any pipes and reinforce any joints with sealants. The fewer openings there are, the lower the chance that ants will find a way in.
Remove Food Sources
Since ants are most commonly looking for food, it’s always a good idea to remove their food sources before they find them. That means cleaning out your pantry and cabinets and removing any food debris. Place any food such as rice, cereal, sugar, etc. into airtight containers. If you tend to leave fruit out, you might want to consider storing them somewhere that’s not openly exposed. Lastly, if you have pets and they’re messy eaters, be sure to clean up their food dishes! Ants don’t differentiate between human and pet food. Taking these steps will prevent them from finding the food in the first place.
Clean Up Your Yard
Not only does cleaning the inside of your house prevent (or at least slow down) ant infestations, but cleaning your yard can have a similar effect. It’s don’t necessarily need to build a colony in your house, as building one nearby is often sufficient and safer. Make sure you keep your grass tidy but also clear out any debris, rotten wood, etc., as ants often feel quite at home in those areas.
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