If you are a homeowner in New Jersey then you’re probably aware of the problems that an ant infestation can cause. And while ants may not be so much of a safety issue as they are a nuisance, it’s still necessary to take steps to keep them out of your home.
Here’s some information on ants and some ways to keep them from invading your home.
Why do Ants Infest Houses?
There are a variety of reasons that ants will invade your home, and the foremost of these is to get at a food source. This is especially true in regard to sugar ants. Sugar ants, which are very small in size – roughly 1/8” in length, typically invade during the springtime as the weather begins to warm up. However, sugar ants are not the only ants that can invade your home.
Another type of ant commonly found around the house is the carpenter ant. Carpenter ants are much larger than sugar ants, often growing to more than a half-inch long. They can be identified by the small piles of wood shavings they leave behind as they create their nest within the walls of your house.
One last type of ant that you may have to deal with is the common pavement ant. These ants are similar in size to sugar ants, but they typically swell just outside the home, near sidewalks and driveways, where they can find food items such as dead insects and seeds. Unlike most other ants found in or near the home, pavement ants may bite if provoked.
How to Keep Ants Away
The best way to keep ants from invading your home is to limit their food sources, and this means making sure that the interior of your home is kept clean. Try to avoid leaving any food out where the ants may have a chance of accessing it. If you don’t take out that empty pizza box before bed, it could mean a full blown ant festival on your kitchen counter by morning.
In addition to maintaining a clean house, you’ll want to seal off entry points where ants and other pests may be entering your home, especially small holes or cracks in your walls and under windows.
There are some home remedies that help prevent ants from coming into your home uninvited, and this is accomplished through the use of deterrents such as vinegar or peppermint oil. And although these substances will help in the fight against ants, they could also come in contact with pets and children, and therefore caution must be used.
Ant Removal for Do-It-Yourselfers
If you have tried to eradicate the ants and they are still a problem, then it is time to get serious. One of the most effective ways to control ants is by spraying the areas that they frequent with soapy water. Not only will this kill the ants, but it will eliminate the chemical trails that they produce.
Another solution is to buy baited ant traps from the hardware store. If you have ever had to deal with ants, then you may be familiar with these tiny plastic containers, which can be placed in areas where there is heavy ant traffic. However, baited traps use a sugary substance to attract the ants, so if carpenter ants are the problem, then ant baits won’t work on them. To get rid of carpenter ants, try using a concoction of window cleaner solution, water, and a bit of vinegar, and spray it all around the areas where the ants are found.
Professional Pest Control
When an ant problem gets out-of-hand, then it’s time to seek the assistance of a pest removal service. A pest control technician will be able to locate the ant colony itself and use an array of techniques to eradicate it, such as by poisoning the entire colony to ensure that there are no stragglers left to re-infest the area. They will also use professional grade bait traps that are far more effective than the type found at the supermarket.
Once the ants have been killed, the pest control technician will come out for a follow-up visit to make sure that they didn’t miss any areas, and to check that there are no colonies reforming. If you have an ant problem and the standard DIY methods are not working, contact us and we will get you set up with a pest control solution that will address your needs.
In Summary
There is no doubt that ants can become quite a nuisance during the warmer months and thus steps must be taken to prevent them from spreading. If you are encountering issues with ants, try giving your home a thorough cleaning, as this will help eliminate potential food sources. You will also want to ensure that all cracks and holes where ants could enter are properly sealed off. If you have tried other methods without success, contact Homeowners Hub for personalized advice and professional services in New Jersey.
