Ah, Easter and baseball season
really do mean spring has arrived. But the
warmer weather also is when ants start arriving in or around your home. When hibernation is over and food becomes
more plentiful, ants are driven to find a place that is warm in the night and
has plenty of easily accessible food and water for them to feast on. They also
seek shelter from the hot sun and the spring rains by entering into our homes.
Once ants discover a reliable food source, whether that means crumbs left out
on the counter or fruit for them to feed on, they are likely to keep returning
to that place.
The best way to get rid of ants is
to prevent them from ever considering your home a comfortable crash pad.
Sanitation
This is definitely one of the most important steps to getting rid of ants (and keeping them away), and most ant treatment programs will fail if this step is skipped or poorly implemented. You must eliminate what attracts ants, including as many food sources and water sources as possible. Then, finding and treating areas that the ants are using to gain entrance into the structure will keep them marching elsewhere.
This is definitely one of the most important steps to getting rid of ants (and keeping them away), and most ant treatment programs will fail if this step is skipped or poorly implemented. You must eliminate what attracts ants, including as many food sources and water sources as possible. Then, finding and treating areas that the ants are using to gain entrance into the structure will keep them marching elsewhere.
- Clean
Kitchen Appliances. Ants
in your kitchen can live off grease and food spills under and behind your
appliances. Clean under and behind the stove, refrigerator, microwave,
toaster, dishwasher, and around and underneath the sink.
- Clean inside
the cabinets. Crumbs
and food spills from stored food products provide a buffet for ants. Clean
to eliminate this food source.
- Keep Food in
sealed containers. Ants
are small enough to get into the cardboard packaging or loosely closed
boxes and bags. Store food in metal, glass, or hard plastic sealable
containers.
- Limit food
consumption to one room of the house. Keeping
all food and eating in one area of the home will eliminate crumbs and food
spills around the home and limits your treatment concerns to one area of
the house.
- Clean the
kitchen thoroughly each night before bed. Ants come out to feed at night,
so cleaning the kitchen each night will leave nothing for foraging ants to
eat. Wipe down kitchen countertops, wash all dishes, sweep the floors and
put away all food.
- Vacuum or
sweep all other non-food areas of the home every few days. Picking up stray crumbs and
ant detritus that attract other ants to the same areas, will help make
your home ant-unwelcome.
- Empty pet
food containers overnight, or cover tightly.
- Keep garbage
cans clean and covered.
Treatment.
Now that you have completed the sanitation and preparation, you can start the process of applying products to treat and eliminate existing ants who have gained entry.
Now that you have completed the sanitation and preparation, you can start the process of applying products to treat and eliminate existing ants who have gained entry.
- Use an aerosol or vaporized ant spray insecticide for use around doors, windows and baseboards. There are many brands available at your local hardware or grocery store.
- Carefully read and follow instructions provided, and use caution if treating in or around kitchen counters and appliances.
You can also make a natural ant repellent/treatment solution
- Mix equal
parts of white vinegar and water.
- Pour the
solution into a spray bottle.
- Add a few
drops of any essential oil and shake the bottle thoroughly.
- Spray this
solution around baseboards and other entry or activity points.
Follow these tips and you'll be well on your way to enjoying the warm weather without unwanted ants for guests.
