Keeping ants away that might invade your home

What to do if you have an ant invasion in your home

Ants can be a major nuisance when they invade your home, and it can be difficult to get rid of these pesky pests once they have set up camp.

Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep ants away and prevent an invasion in the first place.


Eliminate sources of food for ants

One of the most important things you can do is to eliminate any sources of food that might attract ants in the first place. This means cleaning up crumbs and spills promptly and keeping your counters and floors free from sticky residue or spilled liquids. You should also avoid leaving pet food out for long periods of time, as ants are attracted to animal food just like humans.

It’s not safe to eat food attacked by ants because, while ants won’t infect your food directly, they can carry some food borne illnesses.  Ants aren’t as dangerous to a food facility as cockroaches or rodents, they can prove to be an abundant nuisance.  Once they find a source of food, they likely aren’t going to go away unless you take preventative measures.


Set up ant traps

If ants have already invaded your home, there are several things you can do to get rid of them. Some common methods include using ant traps, setting out a combination of borax and sugar, or even spraying ants directly with insecticide. You should also take steps to seal off any cracks or holes that ants might be using to enter your home. With these tips, you can keep ants at bay and avoid the headache of dealing with an ant invasion.  Prevent ants from entering your home by sealing off all cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and pipes with caulking.

There are some ways to naturally keep ants away.  Sprinkle cinnamon, mint, chili pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic in the area where you’ve seen the ants. Then, treat your home’s foundation in the same manner. Placing bay leaves in cabinets, drawers, and containers can also help to deter ants.


Call for professional help

If there have been multiple and separate occurrences of ant infestation, it’s time to call an exterminator. If ants continue to return, even after multiple DIY treatments, something isn’t working.  They can also give advice on how to prevent ant infestations in the future. 

If you have concerns about ants in your home, call Wild Wild Pest.   See why our customer service makes our pest control service stand out from the rest.