Ants are a common sight in the summertime. They are always on the search for food and will find a way into your house if you give them access to food. The good news is that you can prevent an ant problem in your home this summer by following a few simple tips and working with a pest control professional.
Take the trash out promptly
A full or overflowing trashcan can draw ants into your home. This is especially true if the trashcan inside your house does not have a lid. Taking the trash out promptly will prevent ants from being drawn into your house because of the food they can find in your trash. When you take the trash out be sure and dispose of it in an outside trashcan that has a lid and is stored away from your house.
Invest in containers for your pantry
Packages inside of your pantry that are not closed properly can attract ants. If you and your family are in and out of the pantry throughout the day prepping meals and getting snacks then there is a high likelihood that some packages will not get closed completely. You can minimize this risk by investing in containers with lids for your pantry. You can store bagged items in these containers to ensure that everything inside is protected from an invasion of ants or other pests.
Clean up spills immediately
A seemingly small spill can be enough to attract ants into your home. It can be easy to forget about crumbs and spills especially if you have small children that are constantly on the move. But, if you are not proactive in cleaning up spills it can lead to an ant infestation and require much more of your time and attention. Make it a habit to clean spills as soon as they happen in order to protect your home from ants.
Rinse dirty dishes right away
Dishes in the sink that have food scraps on them can attract ants. It does not take much food at all to bring these pests inside. You can prevent this issue by washing dishes right away after a meal. If you cannot immediately wash your dishes after using them simply rinsing away any leftover crumbs will help minimize the potential of an ant infestation.
Repair breaches that allow ants in your home
Ants cannot get into your house unless there is some type of breach in the perimeter. Around your doors is the first place to check for a problem. Ants are small and can squeeze through breaches that are not immediately noticeable with the naked eye. If you currently have an ant problem try and follow them to their point of entry. This is usually easy to do because of the way ants travel back and forth. Once you discover how the ants are getting in make the necessary repairs to prevent future entry.
These five tips will go a long way toward helping you prevent an ant problem in your house this summer. When you put each of these tips into action consistently you significantly reduce your likelihood of developing an infestation. You can add an extra layer of defense against ants and other pests by having your home sprayed by a pest control professional.
