There are over 10,000 species of ants around the world. Each of these types of ants may have different capabilities and are found in different areas of the world. If you are dealing with an ant infestation, it can feel impossible to get rid of all of them.
Do you want to learn how to get rid of an ant infestation quickly? Keep reading this article for tips on the best ant bait and tips to remove these pests from your home.
Seal Entry Points
As with any pest, the first step to dealing with an infestation is to seal any potential entry points into your home.
While it can be difficult to identify holes or cracks small enough for ants to enter, sealing any cracks with caulk or spackle will keep them from getting into your home in the first place.
Eliminate Food & Water Sources
Another important tip to follow to get rid of an ant infestation is to eliminate their sources of food and water.
This can also prevent infestations, as scout ants will not think that your home is a good target if ants would not have easy access to food and water. To prevent ants, you should always properly seal your food.
Use Natural Deterrents
If you are not interested in using ant bait, there are many other natural ways that you can get rid of ants. While sprays can kill the ants you spray, they will not eliminate the entire colony.
One common ant deterrent is vinegar mixed with peppermint. Ants will often send scouts to search for food. These scouts will leave a scent trail, making it easy for other ants to follow.
Vinegar will destroy these scent trails and peppermint is a natural pest deterrent.
You can also use a mixture of Borax and sugar to destroy an ant infestation. Borax makes it difficult for ants to digest, so as scout ants bring food back to their colony, the Borax will kill them.
Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth
Another way that you can prevent ants from coming into your home is by sprinkling diatomaceous earth around your property. This is also known as DE, and it is a fossilized powder that has small, sharp pieces.
Essentially, these sharp pieces will stick to the exoskeleton of your ants and will eventually dehydrate the ants.
Ants do not like to walk through diatomaceous earth, so you can sprinkle it around the perimeter of your home to prevent them from entering your house.
Because diatomaceous earth is made of a fine powder, it will need to be replaced regularly, especially after it rains. To make this an even more effective option for treatment, you can combine diatomaceous earth with ant bait to attract ants that have already entered your home.
Keep Your Home Clean
Another way that you can prevent ants and stop an ant infestation is to keep your home clean.
Often, ants are attracted to a home because of dirty countertops, crumbs on the floor, and more. If you remove these food and water sources, ants will not be able to continue living in your home.
Destroy Ant Colonies
While you want to kill any ants that you see in your home, they will just keep coming back if you do not deal with the entire colony. To end this pest problem once and for all, you need to destroy any ant colonies near your home.
You can look for common signs of an ant colony, which will typically be built near soft, fresh soil. Other species of ants may nest in wood or damaged trees as well.
A professional pest control company can help you identify common places for ant nests and can also help you remove them. If you want to try this on your own, a common DIY method is pouring boiling water on your ant colony.
Not only do you want to destroy ant colonies, but you also want to prevent new colonies from forming. You can do this by sealing gaps in the exterior of your home, regularly mowing your lawn, and cleaning up any fallen wood in your yard.
Hire a Professional Pest Control Company
Finally, if none of these tips work to get rid of ants in your home, it may be time to hire a professional pest control company. They can complete a home inspection to help you identify nest locations, identify the type of ants you are dealing with, and more.
This way you can be sure that you are effectively getting rid of ants in your home for good. While there are many DIY pesticide options available, these will typically only kill the ants that you can see.
A pest or ant control company will help you destroy nests and will keep them from returning.
Learn How to Get Rid of an Ant Infestation Today
Ants are a common household pest all over the world. They can contaminate your food with bacteria, be bothersome, and some species can even cause structural damage to your home. To protect your home, it is important to learn how to prevent an ant infestation and how to get rid of an ant infestation.
By following each of these tips, you can effectively get rid of ant colonies in your home or on your property.
If you are still struggling with an ant problem, a pest control company like Elevate Pest Control can help! Contact our team today to learn more about our ant control services and to get a free home inspection from our pest control experts.