You’ve found ants trailing across your kitchen floor again! Although it may seem impossible to keep ants out of your house, there are things you can do. To get ants out — and keep them out, follow the nine simple steps below.
1. Understand the Ant Colony and its Queen
To solve an ant problem, you need to first eliminate the ones you don’t see to get rid of the ones you do see. The queen, who lays all the eggs, never leaves her nest. So, your focus should be on targeting the colony, not just the workers.
2. Watch the Trailing Ants
Observe the ants entering your home to track their movement. They leave behind a scent trail for their fellow ants to follow. By understanding their path, you can locate their entry point and nest.
3. Avoid Spraying
Resist the urge to spray ants with insecticide. Killing worker ants won’t solve the problem; they’re simply foragers. Instead, you want to target the entire colony, including the queen.
4. Set Out Ant Bait
Use ant bait stations along the ant trail. The workers will carry the bait back to the nest, where it will eventually reach the queen, effectively eliminating the colony.
5. Delay Cleaning
Allow the ants to find the bait by not immediately cleaning their scent trails. This ensures they’ll follow the trail to the bait stations.
6. Patience is Key
It may take several days or even weeks to eliminate the colony completely. Be patient and monitor the bait stations regularly.
7. Target Outdoor Nests
If the ants lead you to an outdoor nest, consider using insecticide spray to drench the nest. Follow label directions carefully for effective treatment.
8. Maintain Cleanliness
Prevent future infestations by keeping your home clean. Seal food, sweep floors, and clean surfaces regularly to remove potential food sources.
9. Seal Entry Points
Prevent ants from entering your home by sealing cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and utility entry points.
In summary, to effectively deal with ants, focus on targeting the entire colony rather than just the individual ants you see. By following these nine steps, you can keep your home ant-free and enjoy peace of mind.
For professional pest control services and products, consider Ernest Pest Control. With our integrated pest management solutions, we offer effective treatments to exterminate ant infestations and keep your home pest-free.
Don’t let ants take over your home. Take control with Ernest Pest Control today!
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