Help! Ants Have Invaded My House!

If ants came into your home one at a time it would be easy to miss the signs of an infestation. But these tiny pests always bring along a whole army of their friends. In fact, as ants search for food and eventually find a source they leave a pheromone trail behind as a guide for themselves and the other ants so the food can be found easily. An ant-free house can be invaded by ants very quickly once they find their way in. Many homeowners fight an ongoing battle against ants once they have entered. Why is it that ants can be so difficult to keep out of your house?

Ants can squeeze in through the tiniest openings

There are more than 12,000 species of ants in the world and they come in a variety of sizes. Some varieties of ants are very small and only need a miniscule breach in the exterior of your home in order to get inside. We have told homeowners over and over how important it is to keep up with home maintenance in order to keep pests out. It is important but the small size of ants make it possible for them to get into openings that you may not notice during your routine maintenance.

Ants are persistent in their efforts

If you have heard the fable about the ant and the grasshopper then you are familiar with the views of ants as persistent little pests. They are not going to suddenly get tired one day and abandon their search for food. If you have ant mounds near your house then you can count on them continuing their efforts to find food and water. In order to keep your home free from ants you have to be proactive and persistent in your efforts.

Small amounts of food and water can draw ants inside

A few crumbs left forgotten on the floor is sometimes all it takes to bring a line of ants marching into your home. Even the most meticulous housekeepers will miss some crumbs from time to time. Other common occurrences in the average household-like a full trashcan or full kitchen sink-can draw the attention of ants. It is a good idea to remain diligent with your cleaning efforts in order to keep ants out but it may not always be enough.

If ants are small and persistent enough to enter your home on the search for food and water-despite your best efforts-then what is the solution for keeping them out? Your best defense is to combine your home maintenance and cleaning efforts with the help of a pest control professional. Regularly scheduled pest control services will add an extra layer of protection against potential ant invasions.