Nashville, Murfreesboro, Knoxville and Chattanooga TN
Ants are a natural part of the environment and typically don’t do much harm outside your home, but an infestation indoors can wreak havoc and cause stress for homeowners. Aside from invading the occasional picnic or outdoor BBQ, ants also find their way inside homes through cracks or crevices, damaged window and door seals, or other access points from outside of your home. There are some ways that homeowners can prevent ants, but if you already have an infestation on your hands, you’ll want to keep reading today’s blog.
Are ants a threat?
Ants may bite humans when provoked, although certain species like fire ants may cause a more serious allergic reaction for some individuals. But ants can destroy your home if an infestation is ignored. Carpenter ants prefer to chew on wood, although all ant species are attracted to pantries where they have a surplus of food. Ants may also invade kitchens, counters, cabinets, and drawers. Therefore, because of their destructive nature and possible reaction to humans like bites that cause minor to serious reactions, you don’t want these insects inside your home.
Spotting an ant infestation is usually obvious because they typically travel in large quantities that leads to even more ants that are unseen behind walls or under flooring. However, if you spot a few ants here and there, it’s best to look into the matter because there could be a hidden colony inside your home that will soon erupt into a devastating infestation that you are left cleaning up and footing the bill for repairs to fix the damage the ants left behind.
How can I prevent ants in my home?
Preventing ants inside your home doesn’t take much effort, although you do need to be consistent. Making small changes in your daily routine and keeping up with your home’s maintenance needs is often enough to reduce ants and other pests inside your home. Ants, like any other insect or living thing, seek shelter and food. So, here are a few things you can do to cut off the necessities that ants need to survive, making your home less attractive to bugs.
- Clean the kitchen thoroughly after every meal by wiping crumbs off the counter, sweeping the floors, and washing the dishes.
- Avoid leaving food out. Always store food in sealed containers or in the fridge.
- Avoid excess moisture, especially under your sinks (including the bathroom), and repair any plumbing leaks.
- Take the trash out daily or consider putting any food scraps in a smaller bag that can be taken out immediately after a meal.
- Keep a tight-fitting lid on your kitchen trash can.
- Seal points of entry to your home like cracks or crevices in your home’s foundation.
- Replace damaged window and door seals.
Lastly, if you still struggle with ants inside your home, it’s time to call a professional pest control company like Ameri Care. We offer quarterly pest control treatments to help prevent ants, spiders, and other common household pests. If you’d like to learn more about pest control services in Murfreesboro, Nashville, or Hermitage, contact Ameri Care by calling (615) 893-7111.