Ants are a pesky problem when they are inside your home. If you notice one or two ants, there is usually a whole colony somewhere nearby. Here are six easy steps for ridding your home of ants.
1. Find the Source of the Problem
The first step in ridding your home of ants is to determine where they are coming from and what is attracting them. Ants usually travel in search of food and carry it back to their colonies. If you follow their line, they’ll lead you to their home. Once you know where the insects are coming from, you can eliminate the ants at the source.
2. Keep Your Living Spaces Clean to Rid Your Home of Ants
Since ants can survive off the smallest amount of food, cleaning is essential. Routinely clean all kitchen gadgets, cabinets, countertops, and floors so there are no traces of food. If ants can’t find food, they will move on to look elsewhere.
3. Fix Sealing or Foundation Issues
Figure out how the ants are getting inside and prevent more from coming in. Check windows, doors, and vents to make sure they are properly sealed. Any cracks or unsecured seals give ants a way to access your home. Most of the time, sealing entryways is an easy DIY project for homeowners.
4. Use a Pesticide for Ridding Your Home of Ants
Next, you’ll need to treat your home. Use a home remedy or purchase an ant-killing pesticide. Spray the ant killer or deterrent around the entryways of your home. You may have to apply several treatments before the ants are gone for good.
5. Treat the Outside of Your Home
The ants made it inside your home from outdoors. Check your yard and around the base of your home for ant mounds. If you find mounds, treat those also. Pour boiling water on the mound or use a pesticide. Treating the outside of your home helps reduce the chance of another ant infestation.
6. Keep Up With Chores to Keep Ants Away
The most important step in ridding your home of ants and keeping them away is to stay on top of your house chores. Keep the house and kitchen clean. Wipe appliances off after each use and clean any spills. If food and sugary liquids aren’t around, ants are less likely to come back. Limit eating to the dining room so that crumbs of food don’t end up all over the house.
Ants can be difficult to get rid of and keep away. Following the steps above can help with ridding your home of ants.
Jones and Cooper Home Inspections provides Metro Louisville with home inspection services. Contact us to request an appointment.