ants Archives - IMEL PEST CONTROL
Why ants love the kitchen at your Edwardsville, IL home
Here’s why you keep finding ants in your kitchen and what you can do about it
So you’re making a sandwich, minding your own business when you notice these tiny specks moving in your peripheral vision. You notice that they’re ants, so, naturally, you’re screaming. Don’t be alarmed, though; this is a common problem that many people face in the Edwardsville, IL area. While that may not make you feel any better, it should make you feel better to know that you’re not in any danger and it should be relatively easy to eliminate them. But, first, you must find out where they came from and why they are there. With that in mind, here are the most common reasons that you find ants in your kitchen and some helpful tips to stop them.
Food, Of Course
The main reason that people find ants in their kitchen is…food, of course! Ants come into your kitchen because there or crumbs or food has been left out, and it’s attracting ants that are looking for food. Ants are mostly attracted to food that’s started to decompose, so look underneath things and in between crevices for tiny little scraps from last Wednesday’s dinner that they may be snacking on.
Windows & Doors
If you’re constantly finding ants in your kitchen, you need to be asking yourself how they got there. One possible explanation is failing window or door seals that are leaving enough space for the ants to crawl through. When installed correctly, your windows and doors should be airtight. When these seals weaken due to age, it can leave the tiniest of spaces – enough space for an army of ants! Check window and door seals to locate possible points of entry.
It’s That Time of the Year
It’s Springtime. The flowers are blooming, children are preparing for summer, and the weather is starting to warm up. In the midst of all of this, your ant friends are on the move. Springtime is the time that ants go out looking for food after the long winter. If they’re foraging near your home, you just may find a scouting party scouring your kitchen.
They’re Here…
The presence of ants in your kitchen can only mean one thing…the’re here. Seriously though, it means that ants have taken up residence close by and it’s time to go looking for them before your new neighbors start intruding on your personal space. Call a professional to find the ant colony – treatments are widespread and highly effective.
Ant Prevention
Ants are nuisance, a health hazard, and just kind of gross. However, it’s good to know that you can get rid of ants relatively easily. One option is over-the-counter traps and baits that attract the ants, poison and allow them to carry that poison back to the colony. For simple ant colonies, this is typically all you’ll need. However, some colonies require professional extermination. If bait traps won’t’ work for you – it’s time to call a pro!
Tips to keep ants out of your Glen Carbon, IL home
Keep ants out with these tips in Glen Carbon, IL
There’s nothing that ruins a good day faster than realizing you are sharing your home (and food!) with thousands of tiny soldiers. And while it is easy for homeowners in Glen Carbon, IL to easily attract house ants, carpenter ants or even fire ants, ant removal can be much more difficult. Once established, an ant colony can thrive for years in one spot. Make sure you take these tips into account when it comes to ants in your home, or contact a local professional to ensure the job gets done right!
All-natural treatments to keep ants out of your home
There are many all-natural methods for keeping ants out of your home. Ants leave a scent trail for their comrades to follow when they find food or any type of sugary substance, so one way to keep ants from invading your house is to keep food and sweets from falling on the floor. If you have kids or messy spouses, this might not be feasible. In this case, you can focus on repelling the ants by messing with their ability to communicate.
Ants do not like the strong aroma of coffee beans, chili powder or cinnamon because they disrupt the pheromone trail that ants use to signal other ants to follow them to food. If you want to keep ants from entering windows or door cracks, spray a vinegar/water mixture or spread baking powder, baby powder or flour along the boundaries. Ants will avoid traveling through the powdery substance.
Common ants and solutions for prevention
The three most common ants found in the Glen Carbon, IL area are the
- Pavement Ant
- Odorous House Ant
- Carpenter Ant
While preventing their interest in your home altogether is preferable, even your best effort at keeping your home clean can fall short. Natural remedies may work to repel ants that are simply looking for food, but carpenter ants don’t just want food, they want your wood, too. In cases like this it is important to remove the problem altogether. Sprays can kill the ants that are currently in your home, but what of the thousands that remain only a short distance away in the colony? And what about the queen, whose only function is to continue to create new pests to aggravate you.
To rid your home of trouble ants, you may need to pass the baton to a professional pest company like Imel Pest Control. They have been dealing with the toughest infestations since 1967.
