Common Ant Control Mistakes To Avoid
No matter where you live or what the season, there is a common pest that can find its way into the homes of people across the country at any time: ants. If you see a few ants scurrying across the floor or kitchen counters, chances are there are several more ants in your home you cannot see. Unfortunately, many homeowners make mistakes when trying to get rid of ants that you need to make sure to avoid.
Here are a few common ant control mistakes that you as a homeowner should not make.
Only Getting Rid of Ants You Can Easily See
You may have been diligent and cannot see any more ants on the kitchen floors or near the windows in your living room. Unfortunately, just because you cannot see the same ant trails in the common areas of your home does not mean there are not still ants lurking in other areas. For example, if you open the kitchen cabinets, especially the cabinets where you store food, you might be surprised to find a giant infestation dining on any food that fell out of packaging.
When you are looking for ants inside your home, make sure to open cabinets, look under furniture, and check all the nooks and crannies throughout your home. This will give you a more accurate picture of how bad the ant infestation really is.
Relying on Store-Bought and DIY Control Measures Rather Than Professionals
From commercially available pesticides to cleaning solutions and even do-it-yourself solutions you found online, there are several ways you can try to control the ant infestation in your home. For example, according to the Family Handyman, the smell of citrus and coffee grounds is a commonly used DIY control measure. Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, if the infestation is widespread, chances are you will not be able to get rid of all the ants in your home and prevent the ants from returning.
If the infestation is widespread, meaning there are several ants in every room of your home or if you have tried a variety of store-bought and homemade options and you still cannot get the ant infestation under control, it is time to contact a professional. A professional exterminator has the tools and expertise to determine the source of your ant infestation and help you get rid of not only the ants that are outside of your home but prevent the ants from reentering your home.
Overlooking the Importance of Exclusion
Finally, with the help of a pest control agent, you may have finally gotten rid of the ants throughout your home. Unfortunately, just because you do not currently have ants in your home, that does not mean that another infestation can occur. Here are a few simple ways you can prevent ants from reentering your home:
Eliminate entry points. Examine your window frames, door frames, foundation, and siding for damage and cracks. Seal the cracks with silicone caulk or if the damage is severe, you may need to replace a window frame or piece of siding to prevent ants from entering your home.
Keep your kitchen and pantry clean. Clean up any food messes and store food in sealed containers. Ants are attracted to the smell of food inside your home.
Sweep and vacuum your floors. Clean your floors on a regular basis to eliminate any crumbs or food, which can attract ants.
Talk to your exterminator about an ant barrier, which is a chemical that is sprayed around the perimeter of your home to keep ants out.
From trying to tackle a major infestation on your own to overlooking the importance of keeping ants out of your home, there are several common mistakes homeowners make when eliminating ants. Contact an ant pest control services provider to learn more.
