Ant infestations commonly occur in the Sacramento area. Once your home has an infestation, they are quite difficult to get rid of. However, there are a few things that you can do to help prevent ants from making your home their home. Here we’ll discuss some of these prevention methods.
Continue reading to learn more about preventing ants, and if you are finding ants in your home, contact the Sacramento pest control experts at Earthwise Pest Management today.
1. Keep the House Clear of Food Debris
One of the most important things you can do if you’re trying to prevent an ant infestation is to ensure that they do not have a food source. Ants are constantly looking for food; if they can’t find any, they will move on and find a place that does have food.
Ants can live off even the smallest crumbs, so it’s imperative that you keep your home crumb-free if you want to keep the ants out. That means cleaning the counters and floors thoroughly. Give the counters a good wipe with a wet cloth to remove any crumbs, and ensure you are regularly sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming your floors. Also, do not let dirty dishes sit in the sink. While you may not notice a few little crumbs on a plate, ants sure will. If you remove the ants’ food source, you will make your home a much less favorable place for them to live.
2. Seal All Your Food Tightly
As we know, removing an ant’s source of food is one of the best ways to prevent them from settling into your home. This includes items you keep in your pantry, such as cereal, cookies, crackers, and anything else an ant can carry off to feed their colony. Rolling up a bag and closing a box of crackers does not tightly seal your food. Ants are extremely small and can find their way through. If you really want to prevent an ant problem, transfer any open food items into sealable containers. Not only will this keep the pests away, but it will also keep your food fresh longer.
3. Eliminate Standing Water
The next thing ants look for when finding a home is a water source. Removing any standing water will make your house a less desirable spot for ants to make their new home. Don’t allow dishes to sit in the sink full of water, and ensure that you fix any leaking faucets. Remember, ants are tiny. They don’t need much water. A dripping faucet may be the perfect amount to attract ants and keep them hydrated. If you want to ensure that ants don’t make your home their home, do not allow them to find a water source, and they will move on.
4. Ensure All Cracks Are Sealed
Ants must have a way to enter your house in order to create their home inside of it. Check your home for cracks in the walls and seal them. Seal and re-caulk around your windows and doors as well. If your home is more difficult to enter, the ants will be more likely to move on to the next place they find food and water. You want to make your home as unappealing as possible for ants.
5. Beware of Scouts
Scout ants are exactly what they sound like. They are worker ants that are sent out to find places with food, water, and shelter for their colony. If you see a lonely ant in your home, do not assume one ant is harmless. It means that there are ants nearby, and they are checking out your home for a possible place to live. If they find a food and water source, they will invite their colony into your home. If you see a scout ant, it’s imperative that you follow the steps above. Seal any cracks, small or large, re-caulk around your windows and doors, and remove any possible food or water sources for the scout ants to find.
Dealing with an Ant Infestation Using DIY Methods
Dealing with an ant infestation using DIY methods can be challenging and often frustrating. Ants are highly organized creatures, and their colonies can be extensive. Here are some reasons why DIY ant control can be difficult:
- Locating the Ant Nest: For effective ant control, it’s crucial to locate and destroy the ant nest. However, nests are often hidden away from plain sight, making them difficult to find without professional help.
- Incomplete Removal: DIY treatments may kill ants that are visible but fail to reach the queen and the rest of the colony, leading to a recurring problem.
- Identifying Ant Species: Different ant species require different approaches. Misidentification can lead to ineffective treatment and continued infestation.
- Safety Concerns: Incorrect use of pesticides can pose health risks to humans and pets.
Professional Ant Control Services
At Earthwise Pest Management, we understand that effectively managing an ant infestation requires more than just temporary fixes. Our professional ant control services are designed to address both the immediate problem and the underlying causes to prevent future issues. Here’s how we help:
- Thorough Inspection: Our experts start with a detailed inspection of your property to identify the species of ants, locate the ant colonies, and determine the best approach for treatment of the entire colony.
- Customized Treatment Plans: Depending on the type of ant, whether it’s odorous house ants, carpenter ants, fire ants, or another species, we customize our treatment strategies to effectively target the specific ant colony.
- Preventive Solutions: We provide advice and implement measures to deter ants from entering your property, focusing on sealing entry points and removing attractants.
- Follow-Up Services: To ensure the ant problem is completely resolved, we offer follow-up visits and ongoing support to maintain an ant-free environment.
Contact Us for Ant Control Services in Sacramento, CA, and Nearby Areas
If you’re struggling to get rid of ants permanently or want to ensure your home remains ant-free, contact Earthwise Pest Management. Our team is equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to remove ant colonies effectively and prevent future infestations. We serve Sacramento, CA, and the surrounding areas with reliable, environmentally conscious pest control solutions. Don’t let ants take over your home or business. Reach out today for professional help and enjoy a permanent solution to your ant problem. Contact the Sacramento pest control experts at Earthwise Pest Management. We specialize in pest control of all kinds, including ants, cockroaches, rodents, wasps, spiders, and more. Contact us today.