Ants – can’t live with ‘em… And that’s it. There’s no more to the expression. You’re here because you don’t want to share your space with thousands of small bugs crawling after your resources. Given this, it’s important to understand what exactly attracts ants, and how we can prevent them from tracking inside your home.
That’s why we’ve created this handy guide about common house ants and how to handle them.
What Attracts Ants to Your Home?
Ants are some of the most crafty yet-predictable freeloaders that make their way into our homes. They’re primarily looking for:
- Food: Whether it’s human food, pet food, or natural byproducts, ants are going to identify open food sources and create a supply chain back to their nest.
- Water: Especially in a dry climate like Arizona, ants will be on the lookout for water as soon as the environment outside is not providing them an adequate source. Additionally, if your property is water laden, they may not be as invasive to your actual home.
- Shelter: Ants are designed to create a nest that supports their queen, and then protect it. Your home provides an ideal structure for this.
Are Ants Harmful?
The majority of ants are not significantly harmful to humans, though they can range from annoying to destructive in terms of their effect on your health and property. Some ants, such as fire or carpenter ants, can bite and cause much pain, but they’re not as common.
The biggest risk that ants pose for you is tracking bacteria into your home and destroying the foundations of your structures by nesting in them. They commonly destroy yards, or nest in electrical equipment which results in short-circuiting.
Top 5 Ways to Keep Ants out of Your Home
If you’re already dealing with an ant infestation, you might need professional pest control services to deal with them. Consider the following options to prevent ants from invading your home in the first place:
1. Tidy up your home: We’re not here to nag you, but it’s a fact – ants are drawn in by food and water sources that are left out. This includes open pet food containers, crumbs on the floor, and remnants on kitchen surfaces.
2. Seal cracks and openings: Ants are tiny, and are looking for the tiniest entryway into your home . Dryer vents, electrical sealing, window sills, and door frames are all major weak points in homes for pests to enter through. Pay extra attention to entrances near your kitchen and bathrooms.
3. Trim trees and shrubs that touch your house: Foliage touching your property can easily house ants that otherwise wouldn’t care to explore your home. Natural bridges like tree branches give easier access to much more of your home than you might expect.
4. Insecticides: Granular insecticides and sprays have been known to deter ants if applied regularly and properly. However, this also requires that you choose safe products and are vigilant in using them as a preventative measure. Once there is a full invasion, these are much less effective.
5. Ant Repellents: There are natural repellents such as diatomaceous earth, which is made up of tiny plants. These plants have microscopic, razor-sharp edges that will eradicate ants as they cross over it.
Ultimately, ants are numerous enough and resourceful enough that if you allow them an opportunity to find food, water, or shelter, they’ll take it. For ant infestations in Arizona, we recommend professional pest control services as the best long-term solution.
Insectek Provides the Best Ant Control in Arizona
At Insectek, we’re proud to offer the highest-quality ant treatment service in Arizona. Our experienced and licensed technicians have decades of combined experience in getting homes back to normal after an ant infestation.
If you’re looking for a fast, eco-friendly, and effective way to rid your house of ants, please reach out to us today. A free consultation is the first step to getting your home back in order.
