Spring is officially here, which means it’s ant season! Seeing an ant or two around your home may not seem like a big deal. However, when it comes to ants, where there is one, there are usually many more to follow. If not kept in check, it’s entirely possible you could be facing a significant ant infestation this spring!
It doesn’t take long, either. Once ants find a food source—i.e., your pantry, an open fruit basket, or anything sweet—they lay a scent trail for other ants in their colony to follow. That’s why you almost always see ants following a straight line; they’re following the scent a previous ant has left behind.
Luckily, there are some things you can do to prevent your home from becoming the premier ant restaurant in the neighborhood. Here are a few tips to get your home ready for ants this spring.
Clean Your Kitchen!
The kitchen is often the top destination for ants in search of food. It makes sense since they’re usually on the hunt for yummy things to take back to their colony.
The apparent preventative solution here is to clean your kitchen thoroughly. That means emptying the pantry and cabinets and giving all the shelves a good wipe down. It could also mean tidying up items in your pantry, such as closing open containers and putting things into sealable storage containers.
Also, suppose you’re the type of person who procrastinates doing the dishes. In that case, you might want to consider changing that habit and cleaning everything every day, as ants love leftovers! That means wiping down your counters to remove crumbs or other food debris.
Seal Entry Points
As is the case with many species of insects, ants can get into your home through small cracks in windowsills, doorways, the foundation, and other nooks and crannies. If you haven’t done this previously, now is an excellent time to seal up your home. That means using caulk or similar sealant to close up any gaps around windows, doors, pipes leading into your home, even AC lines or cable lines.
Dry It Out
Like any creature, ants also need water to live. While they might invade your kitchen for food, they may target your bathroom or basement to set up an actual colony — anywhere in your house that’s regularly damp can potentially attract ants. To prevent this from happening, check pipes under sinks and other places around your basement where moisture tends to collect. Dry them up by sealing them, get a dehumidifier, or lay down an extra moisture barrier to prevent condensation.
It Might Be Time To Bring In An Expert
If you’re concerned about an ant infestation, give us a call. We’ll assess the situation and provide you with safe, eco-friendly options to manage any ants that get in—and prevent them from coming back in the future.
Want more information about your Annual Home Shield Plan? Contact us to get the details and schedule your first visit.