Dealing With an Ant Infestation? Find Out Why You Have Ants and How to Get Rid of Them
Dealing with ant infestations is a common challenge that most people in New Mexico have to face. They become a real nuisance during the warmer months of the year. Did you ever wonder why ants creep all the way into your house? There can be many different reasons for it. Let’s deep dive and figure out what those reasons are.
Many house owners in New Mexico believe that by keeping their kitchen and home spotless, they can stop worrying about ant infestations. Despite your best attempts to keep your house spotless, you could still wind up with ants. Continue reading to find out what attracts ants to your house and how to avoid an infestation.
Why do I keep finding ants in my house?
While numerous factors can lead to a pest infestation, there are three key factors to consider when it comes to ants. The three things that ants need are water, food, and shelter. If they can easily find them in your house, you will have to deal with them.
Ants get attracted to food
Ants, like other insects, need a food supply. Numerous ant species that live in South Carolina are drawn to the sweet, sugary, and starchy foods that are often kept in kitchen pantries. These things can readily draw ants into your house if they are kept in containers that aren’t completely sealed or ones that can be easily chewed through, such paper sugar sacks or plastic cereal bags.
Removing possible food sources for ants will greatly help in the prevention of ants. Even an immaculate kitchen can attract ants if pantry supplies aren’t properly kept, so keeping your kitchen clean is crucial. Make careful to keep dry things, including the food for your dogs, in airtight plastic containers. Nothing attracts ants like a delicious dish of dog food left on the ground.
Ants get attracted to water
Ants, like all living things, are thirsty animals that are always looking for accessible water sources. Any stagnant water near or within your house can attract ants, making it simpler for them to settle there.
Look for any areas of standing water around the outside of your property, paying close attention to your gutters, flowerpots, buckets, and other containers. Fix any leaking faucets or pipes and examine your basement for high humidity levels. If necessary, think about setting up a dehumidifier.
Ants get attracted to shelter
Your house is the ideal location for ants to establish a colony since they require refuge in order to reproduce. Ants can enter your house via the smallest holes and fissures because of how little they are. Older houses are more likely to have cracks in the seal where ants can enter easily.
Although it can take some time, closing off all ant entrance sites will help stop a variety of potential pest infestations, including those caused by other pests found in New Mexico. Start by walking around the exterior of your house and looking for holes and cracks near the foundation. If you discover any damage, think about hiring a specialist to make repairs. Find any gaps around cables and pipes next and fill them in as necessary using the proper caulking substance. The same principle applies to windows and doors: seal any gaps with weatherstripping or caulk to prevent ants from entering.
Get professional ant treatment if needed
Even while following these ant prevention suggestions will significantly lower your likelihood of experiencing an ant infestation, they still cannot ensure you’ll always be ant-free. This is where you need to seek the assistance of a professional pest control company.
Getting rid of ants on your own can be quite difficult. There are several ant species in New Mexico, and no one treatment is effective for all of them. The experts can identify the kind of ants you’re dealing with and create a personalised ant treatment programme to get rid of pests from your house. Go ahead and get in touch with a professional pest control company, like the pros at Parker Pest Services, to get rid of ants in the most professional way.