Bakersfield is a great place to live. With all the housing, things to do, sunny weather and great food around, many people have decided to call Bakersfield their home. Unfortunately, people aren’t the only ones that find Bakersfield comfortable. Ants prefer places that have comfortable, consistent weather patterns and are full of food. Sound familiar? So how do you make sure your house isn’t one of the places in Bakersfield that ants flock to? Read on to find out how to keep your house ant free.

Close entryways

The first thing you should to keep ants away is blocking the way they’re getting in. Ants are small, so they don’t need much to get into your home. However, there are a few known ways of entry that ants use often that you can check right away. Look at your doors and windows. If there are rips in the screen sections, patch them up. Check under your doors and on the sill of your windows. Seal up any gaps you can find with caulking. If there are entry ways that need to stay open, try lining them with one of the DIY deterrents mentioned in the next section.

DIY remedies

There are most likely some products around your house that you can use to help keep ants away. When you do spot a line of ants, the easiest way to get rid of them is with a sponge, and warm soapy water. Simply wipe the line up, and keep an eye on that spot. If they reappear, repeat the process until there are no more. There are also some items that naturally deter ants. Sprinkle some of the following out in spots that you see ants gather: baby powder, borax, peppermint oil, cinnamon, salt and vinegar. Be careful about leaving these substances in reach of your kids or pets.

Clean up

Ants are attracted to food, and not just the meals you eat. They’re usually after the crumbs and spills left behind. They can even be attracted to pet food that’s left out. Look around your house for any unnoticed messes that might be causing ants to flood in. Make a habit of cleaning spills and messes as soon as they happen. Take the trash out daily, or as soon as it fills up. Keep all your food in airtight containers, up and away. If you keep your food locked up tight, you’re less likely to see ants trying to get into your home.

Professional pest services

If you have an ant problem that you haven’t been able to get a handle on, or if you truly want to prevent your home from getting one in the future, the best thing you can do is call a professional. A pest control company will send out a tech that has the tools and knowledge to help you make your house a pest-free zone. Not only will they get rid of any pest problem you currently have, with methods that are more effective. They can also give you advice about avoiding another problem in the future. For more information about making your house a pest free zone, read our free eBook “How to Keep Your Home Pest-Free in 10 Easy Steps”