If you have an ant infestation in your home, there is nothing better to get rid of ants than a fast solution. Luckily, you have several options to keep your ant problem under control. Let’s talk about why ants enter your home, the dangers they may cause, and how to get rid of them.
Why Ants are in your Home
Ants are the scavengers of the world, experts at finding and removing food. It doesn’t matter whether they’re out in nature or your homes as they forage for food. During the summer, you’ve likely noticed them more and may have found them inside your kitchen.
These insects are always on the hunt for food and are particularly attracted to sugary substances. It seems there is always a reason for an ant infestation. If we’re prone to leaving crumbs on the floor or not cleaning food spills promptly, we’ll be encouraging a visit from these unwelcome guests.
They’re also looking for a water source, which is why it is common to find ants attracted to your bathroom or a musky basement.
Problems Caused by Ants
You might encounter two types of ants: the odorous house ants (scientific name of Tapinoma sessile) and carpenter ants (Camponotus pennsylvanicus).
House ants are an annoyance but don’t cause any significant issues. These types of ants won’t cause any damage to your home or transmit diseases. The odorous house ant is primarily attracted to sugary spills and has a distinctly rotten order when their bodies are crushed. The distinctive smell is described as similar to that of strong Pine-sol, blue cheese, or rotten coconuts.
Carpenter ants are a different story if they decide to make your house their home, as they can damage your house. Carpenter ants will chew through damp or rotten wood, which could result in damage to doors, windows, etc. Their colonies are established first in pre-existing cavities, such as faulty or rotten wood, then will expand into undamaged adjacent wood and other rotting areas within cavities. You might spot these ants individually or find them in clusters if you find a pile of coarse sawdust, which is commonly mixed with other inspect parts. You could potentially need a home-improvement project to repair the problem they leave.
How to Get Rid of Ants
You don’t want to find ants in your kitchen every day. If you’ve got carpenter ants, you need to protect your home from the potential damage they can cause.
Using a can of bug spray or ant poison won’t fix your ant problem. An ant colony has thousands of ants, so you’ll only be getting rid of the ones you see. The problem lies in the reason they’re attracted to your home.
Here are some tips on how to get rid of ants
- Clean your house on a regular basis. Ants are looking for sugar, food particles, and anything else that’s edible. The colony usually sends a few ants to find food. The rest will follow the scent trail they leave if they find anything. Also, make sure to store your food in sealed or airtight containers.
- Take care of rotted wood and damp spots. Both house and carpenter ants prefer damp areas, paying close attention to areas in the house like basements, windows, and showers. Check your deck for rotted wood and replace it to deter their attention.
- Wipe out the scent trail. Ants rely on the scent their scouts leave for the colony to follow. To completely eliminate ants, you must remove the pheromones they leave behind. When you’ve found the trail, one option is to set out traps along the way. The poisoned food goes back to the colony, where it kills them. Also try to remove the scent naturally to prevent other scouts or colony members from getting attracted back to the house. Cinnamon, tea tree oil, and vinegar and baking soda (mixed with water) are effective at removing the scent left behind.
If your ant problem requires a big home-improvement project, you may need a loan to cover the cost. Or, if you’re in search of a new ant-free home, contact First Centennial Mortgage today to find out how we can help.