The Capital Region experiences many types of ants, from carpenter ants, small ants, and pharaoh ants to name a few. Ants in the house may be nesting in the structure itself or they may just be coming indoors looking for food or water. Whatever the case, there are certain steps homeowners and businesses can take to prevent ants.
Most ants feed on sweets or meats and greases. Wipe up spills immediately. Clean crumbs and drips from shelves, counters and floors. Don’t overlook hidden areas such as stove vents and drip pans that collect grease.
Don’t leave open containers of sugar, honey, butter or snacks on counters or tables
Put leftover food away in sealed containers. Food in cardboard boxes or plastic bags should be transferred into glass, metal or plastic containers with tight lids.
Leave pet food out only briefly, and then remove it.
Remove piles of papers or stacked bags, which can provide ant nesting sites.
To keep ants from crawling up kitchen tables or other standing objects, place double-sided sticky tape around the legs.
Do not use insecticides or strong cleaners near areas that have been baited or sprayed for ants.
Store household garbage away from ant-infested sites in sealed bags and containers. Empty the garbage frequently.
Rinse food containers for the garbage and containers for recycling before tossing them into the bin.
Eliminate excess moisture. Repair leaky faucets and roof leaks. Replace wet and rotting wood.
If you can, follow the ant trail to the point where it enters your house. Then caulk cracks, add weather stripping to doors and take other measures to eliminate ant entrance points. Pest proofing will prevent ants and other pests like mice.
Many ants co-exist with aphids, feeding on the sugary “honeydew” the aphids secrete. Make sure that there are no plants with aphids indoors or against the building.
Check cut flowers for ants before bringing them indoors. Ants may take up residence inside a potted plant. Place it outdoors and soak it repeatedly with water to force them out.
Bring in only small quantities of firewood at a time to avoid bringing in overwintering ants.
The best way to get rid of ants in Clifton Park NY is to locate and treat the nest directly. Carpenter ant control is sometimes easier said than done, why you should contact an ant removal specialist right away. Big black ants require the Schenectady ant control experts to locate and kill the ant colony. With ant scent trails between the satellite and parent colonies, over the counter products will not fully treat ant infestations and can make them worse.
As the weather warms up, do not worry about ant problems in your home. Contact Thomas Pest Services who will address your ant problem quickly using the most up to date technologies to get rid of ants. Contact your Ballston Spa ant removal specialists, whether it’s one ant, ten ants, piles of sawdust or other signs of ants. Do not let these insects continue to damage your structure, contact Thomas Pest Services for a free inspection and to learn more about ant control services.