All animals have their role to play in the environment, even ants, but too much of them in the wrong place means they are a pest. You’ll be grateful to know that it’s possible to get rid of them without having to fumigate your entire house, over and over again. There are many conventional ways you can get rid of ants from your yard or homes. Once the ants are gone, you’ll need to keep your home clean and secure to prevent reinfestation. Read on to learn more.
Here are six tips on how to get rid and prevent ants in your home.
Know the popular hangouts.
A kitchen is a place full of food and water that even pests like ants will need to survive. So it’s no surprise that ants will infest this place. Bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, inside walls, basements, and in or around air conditioning and heating units are also known to attract ants.
Block off any access points.
You should take the time to inspect the outside of your home for any easy access points. Bushes and trees should be trimmed away from your home because branches can be a bridge for ants to come inside. Then seal any crevices and cracks on the outside of the house with silicone caulk, paying particular attention to areas where utility pipes enter.
Eradicate water sources.
If you reduce moisture and standing water around your home, it can go a long way to help prevent ants. You should also repair leaky pipes and routinely check under sinks for areas of humidity. You should consider using a dehumidifier in damp basements, attics or crawl spaces. Outside, you must ensure that downspouts and gutters are functioning correctly so that water flows away from the home’s foundation.
Clean your pets’ food and water bowls.
Your pets can accidentally invite ants into your home. Their food and water bowls attract pests, so be sure to keep it clean and tidy up any spilled water or food immediately.
You can opt to store dry pet food in a sealed plastic container instead of the paper bags they regularly come in. Inspect your dog or cat doors to guarantee that pests cannot get through. Always remember that ants can fit through anything, even the tiniest openings.
Put coffee grounds, cinnamon, or baby powder near doors or windows.
The scents of these substances repel ants, and also coffee grounds are acidic, which can burn the ants if they try to cross it. You can use peppermint or cinnamon essential oil. Combine a few drops of the oil into your spray bottle full of water, then spray it around windows and doors.
Clean your kitchen after each meal.
As mentioned above in tip number one, the kitchen is where ants like to hang out. If you keep your kitchen tidy, it will help discourage ants from coming indoors. Sweep floors and wipe down counters regularly to wipe out crumbs and residue from spills.
You should store your food in highly sealed and pest-proof containers while keeping ripe fruits in the fridge. Wipe down sticky jars, especially any containing syrup, honey, soda or other sweets. Finally, use a lid on trash cans and dispose of garbage regularly. You can also hire a professional house cleaning service to keep your kitchen spotless and mess-free.
Without the proper tools and training, fighting off ants can be an uphill battle. What’s worse, an infestation can continue to grow if it is not adequately treated. Don’t forget that prevention is better than cure. You should do these tips above and find natural ways to repel ants from your home.
