Many ant sprays do not kill ants that crawl over treated surfaces.
Keep kitchen cabinets and counters clean and food items stored in sealed containers. Remove trash from the home frequently and dry any areas where water may collect.
Trim trees and shrubs that touch the house or offer ants highways indoors. Caulk cracks and crevices around the foundation and where pipes enter the home. Apply a residual insecticide around the exterior to stop ants before they gain entry.
Controlling Ants Indoors
Ants are attracted to food and moisture, which is why they enter homes. By denying them food and removing moisture sources, you can stop them from reestablishing their colonies indoors.
The first step is to inspect the problem area and identify ant entry points. Look for ant mounds, their foraging trails and any cracks or crevices.
If you see ants crawling inside your home, immediately seal the entrances with caulk or foam insulation. Then, spray PT Alpine insecticide or Advion WDG around the exterior of the home in a band not to exceed 10 feet. Those products are nonrepellants, so you won’t need to hose down or wipe down the surfaces. Alternatively, place baits in areas you’ve observed ant activity, such as kitchens. Make sure to store open foods in containers with tight-fitting lids and clean up kitchen counters, floors and sinks on a daily basis. Eliminate shady or moist areas by pruning shrubs and eliminating overgrowth and debris that could provide ant nesting sites.
Controlling Ants Outdoors
For outdoor pest control, a few key steps can help minimize ant infestations and keep them from entering the house. Store food in airtight containers and wipe down countertops and tables frequently. Empty indoor and outdoor trash cans on a daily basis and line them with garbage bags. Check for leaky pipes and address them right away to cut down on moisture.
Another effective DIY way to deter ants is to spread food-grade diatomaceous earth around their trails or nests, as it's abrasive on the insect's exoskeleton and causes it to die. However, it's important to wear respiratory protection when applying this ants treatment as it can irritate the lungs and eyes.
Another option is to use bait stations, which work by attracting the ants with poison and then taking them back to the colony, effectively killing them. However, this method requires periodic inspection and refilling of the bait, which can be more labor-intensive than other options.
Calling a Professional
When an ant infestation becomes too large for DIY treatments, it’s time to call in the experts. An experienced ant control professional will have the knowledge and equipment needed to deal with most types of ants. They can also spot the potential entry points and nesting sites that you might miss. For example, pharaoh ants, like odorous house ants, are small and can get into homes through torn window screens and doors that lack weather stripping. A professional can treat these areas to keep ants from entering and then moving inside.
Another sign that you should call a professional is if ant treatments don’t seem to be working. For a thorough ant treatment, the professionals from Smithereen termite pest control Management Services will need access to areas that you might not be able to reach. To prepare for a service, it’s helpful to remove clutter in areas that will be treated and to fix any leaky pipes or faucets.
DIY Methods
Using home remedies and natural solutions can help you keep ants away from your house. For example, a solution made from lemon juice or other citrus fruits masks scent trails ant pheromones leave and deters them. Similarly, sprinkling cayenne pepper or cinnamon in areas of ant infestation inside your home can repel them.
Neem oil is another effective option. It poisons ant eggs and larvae and also works well for controlling aphids that feed on plants. You can find neem oil at many garden centers or online.
Boiling water can kill ants and their underground nests, but this is not always effective since it's unlikely to reach every tunnel throughout the colony. It's also unsafe for your pets and children. Try using food-grade diatomaceous earth instead. Mixing it with sugar and saturating cotton balls can also help. This is a more childand pet-safe alternative to chemical ant sprays. It's also a good idea to eliminate potential harborage spots outside your home by removing stacked wood, grass clippings, and leaf piles.