3 Steps to Get Rid of Ants for Good

In areas of the country with drought or dry weather, ants pose a serious issue. Even worse, controlling an ant infestation can be difficult since ants are prone to enter a home through even the tiniest of cracks in order to get water or food.

And once an ant colony has been established, watch out! An ant colony can range from 300,000 to 500,000 ants and can last for multiple years; worker ants are known to live for seven years, and queen ants can live for as long as 15 years.

If you need to get an ant infestation under control as quickly as possible, follow these helpful guidelines to get rid of ants for good:

1. Start with professional extermination. While there are several precautionary methods that you can use to keep ants out of your home, DIY pest control will provide you with limited results. Killing ants with over-the-counter sprays will only kill the ants that you see. An exterminator needs to visit your property in order to destroy nests that may have been built in walls or underneath your foundation.
2. Wipe countertops with vinegar. Since roaming ants leave a trail of pheromones in order to signal to other ants, it helps to wipe down cupboards, countertops, and any other areas where you have seen ants with a mixture of 1:1 white vinegar and water. Repeat this process on a daily basis to repel ants since they don’t like the smell of vinegar; at the same time, you can remove scent trails to keep more ants from visiting.
3. Caulk doors, windows, and cracks. Since ants can crawl through miniscule cracks in your home, it’s important to proactively seal doors, windows, and other cracks that may allow entry. Even better, sealing your home completely will keep out other critters and will help to lower your energy bills by supporting better temperature control.

While there are a number of natural remedies and repellent substances that can be used to keep ants at bay, including vinegar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and coffee grounds, it’s always recommended to seek professional help at the first sign of an ant infestation.

A professional exterminator can quickly get to the root of the issue and destroy a hidden ant colony that may be difficult or almost impossible for you to find. If you’ve been dealing with ants day in and day out for weeks, a pest control service can efficiently eradicate an ant nest to keep your home free from creepy crawly critters.