Ants typically aren't a nuisance when they are outdoors in their own habitat. Yet, when ants infiltrate your home foraging for food, they will not only become an annoyance, they can pose serious health risks and property damage.
There are many proactive steps you can take to eliminate ants in your home and reduce the risk of infestation of your home.
The health risk depends on the species of ant and each ant species' ability to inflict damage. Since ants are primarily foraging for food, food contamination is common among odorous ants and pavement ants. Other ants such as fire ants can inflict painful stings, which can be especially painful on unsuspecting children and toddlers that often walk around barefoot. Carpenter ants can also cause property damage as they create nesting tunnels in wood and your home's foundation.
I don't mean to come off as making too much of this situation. I mean, they are just ants. But, ants are social insects, and what may seem like a small problem can quickly become a major pest problem.
So what is the solution to ant problems?
If you are tired of spending money on ant sprays that have a limited shelf life, let us help you by first identifying the species of ant that has infested your home, and then establish a strategy to eliminate the infestation based on the species of ant.
Some things you can do on your own to prevent ant infestation include:
- Eliminating standing water near your home (this also helps you reduce mosquitoes)
- Keep food in sealed containers and clean up thoroughly, this includes after cook outs.
- Dispose garbage often and keep it sealed in your outside trash can
- Keep pet food and water dishes clean and remove any spilled food. I know this can be tough on parents with toddlers roaming around, but do your best to make them eat in the kitchen and pick up fallen crumbs.
- Seal cracks and holes around your home to prevent ant infestation