How to Identify and Control Ants in Your Home
As the weather gets dry and seasons change, ants are more likely to make their way into homes and pop up in the woodwork. And if you’ve ever dealt with an ant infestation, you can attest that there is nothing more unpleasant than trying to get rid of a colony of tiny little critters.
How to Identify Ants
Across the country, ants are one of the most common pest issues. As a result, ant control can be difficult at best. Ants can range in shape and size to include:
- Crazy Ants
- Little Black Ants
- White Footed Ants
- Black Ants
- Leafcutter Ants
- Sugar Ants
- Army Ants
- Queen Ants
- Winged Ants
- And much more!
Ants are likely to enter a home through a tiny crack as they seek water or food, especially a sweet substance in the kitchen. As ants move into a home, they leave an invisible chemical trail with pheromones to allow other ants in the colony to follow once the food source has been located.
After ants have found what they’re looking for, they’re ready to set up shop. They can nest almost anywhere in or around your home, including walls, lawns, and even under a foundation. Even more shocking is the fact that an ant colony can range in size up to 500,000 ants. Whole colonies can easily relocate at any point when they have been threatened.
How to Control Ants
Clearly, when you see a trail of ants, you are dealing with a much bigger issue. As you learn to identify ants and determine where they’re coming from, you can rely on professional Birmingham pest control to get your ant issue under control. Consulting with a professional will help you to determine exactly where the ant colony is located on your property so that it can be eradicated completely.
After an exterminator has been consulted, there are several steps that you can take to keep ants outdoors, where they belong:
- Seal any cracks and crevices within your home to eliminate pathways that ants can use for entry. If your home isn’t sealed well, ants are likely to find their way back in again.
- Scrub all potential entry points with detergent to remove pheromones that ants have left behind. This will help to destroy any invisible pathways that have been left for other ants to follow.
Although ant control can be difficult, the use of a professional extermination service will help to keep ants at bay. If you live in an area that is in the middle of a drought, keep your eyes open for ant infestations that may be the sign of a bigger issue!