There are over 12,000 different kinds of ants worldwide according to the National Wildlife Federation. For the most part, handling these ants is perfectly safe for people. However, it has been proven that ants contain germs, making them potential disease or infection carriers. A 2019 study on animals found that Monomorium ants can harbor pathogenic microbes that could be dangerous to humans. This is why it's important to do all you can to keep ants away from your home.
The experts at Hartz Pest Control, a leading pest control company, have outlined the following steps to stop ants from entering your home.
1. Remove Debris Stacked Near or Against Your Home
The most important thing you can do to keep ants out of your house is to keep it clean. Make sure that food wastes are cleaned and kept in airtight containers.
Even though you and your family must eat, you shouldn't leave traces of your meals in trash lying around or next to the house because ants are specifically hunting for this kind of thing.
Ensure you get rid of your trash daily to stop those scout ants from discovering a food supply.
2. Seal Entry Points
After getting rid of trash from around your home, the next step is blocking access areas where ants can enter.
Because they are so small, ants can enter your home through thousands of microscopic openings. Some openings are simple to spot, while others are only seen when a procession of ants is walking through them.
Look around your home for any potential ant entrances. Caulking crevices around doors, windows, and the property's foundation will block a lot of the visible ant entryways. These sealants will degrade with time, so it's best to monitor them and reapply when necessary.
3. Remove Sources of Food
Like with trash, ants are also drawn into your home by food left out in the open. Any form of food, even if it is in packets that have been opened, might draw ants into a house.
For example, canisters of dry goods occasionally draw ants into houses. Overripe fruit left out on countertops can also attract ants and other insects.
Only tightly sealed containers should be used to keep items like flour, sugar, chips, and cookies.
Clean your home thoroughly in any location where food is consumed. Also, clean away any food debris that has accumulated on equipment like refrigerators and ovens.
Clean even the most confined spaces like kitchen cabinets and flooring, paying attention to the baseboards.
Your pet's food bowls should never be left unattended and should be cleaned frequently.
4. Eliminate Sources of Water
Ants and other bugs are attracted to wet parts of a house. Ants need a water source to exist and can even store water in their colonies for later use.
To prevent this, take care of any leaks inside the house as part of your ant control strategy.
Ensure everything is always dry in the kitchen. Look for any possible leaks around the faucet in your kitchen sink or laundry area.
Ants also enjoy entering restrooms. So check for leaks in the toilets, sinks, showers, and bathtubs. Waterproof your basement if you frequently have standing water or a lot of dampness.
5. Hire A Professional Ant Control Service
If a small number of ants grows into an army after you've exhausted all other options, then you have an infestation on your hands, and it's time to call in the professionals.
Pest control companies like Hartz will help you outline strategies to keep ants from your home and can also help rid your home of any type of infestation.
Ants are strong adversaries. You need specialized equipment, training, and experience to reduce their population and eradicate them entirely. These experts are adept at identifying the species and locating their nests. They know the ideal methods to remove and keep out ants and other pests from your home.
Hartz Pest Control is the company you can trust to rid your home of ants. They have a team of highly trained professionals skilled in locating nests and permanently getting rid of ants.
They'll thoroughly check your house, inside and out, for any existing or potential insect issues and utilize the safest techniques and products to treat the infestation. They can even provide routine care under a service contract.
The Hartz Pest Control team will seal, plug, caulk, and secure gaps and crevices to keep insects out. They can also put pest monitors in the bathroom, kitchen, utility room, and garage.
Hartz Pest Control is just a call away. Contact them today at (713) 461-4866 For a free consultation or quote.
