With summer in full swing, it’s difficult to keep ants from your yard, and especially difficult to keep them out of your home. Ants making their way into your home is much more than a nuisance; ants can both contaminate food and cause property damage. Here some tips residents of Springfield and Longmeadow Massachusetts along with Enfield and Hartford Connecticut residents use to keep ants out of their homes.
Keep It Dry
By removing sources of moisture near and in your home, you remove a critical resource for ants wanting to nest. Moisture in walls helps carpenter ants to make easy work of your home’s wooden structure when excavating their nests. The moisture also provides the necessary water for ant larvae to survive. Some common sources of “problem” moisture are poorly drained soil, poorly graded lawns, stuffed gutters, leaky children’s pools, leaky roofs, leaky windows, or just plain leaky something!
Don’t Be Crumby
Obviously the most tempting perks for ants to infiltrate your home is food! The usual suspects like crumbs, leftover food, and fruits left on the counter can cause whole colonies to take up residence in your home. Keep food in air-tight containers to prevent ants from being drawn in.
And do not forget the wild bird seed. Sealed containers are a must for this insect and rodent magnet.
Take Out the Trash
Keeping edible food contained is important. However, scraps cast into the trash can be just as much, if not more, of a problem than fresh food. Leaving partially eaten food, leftovers and peels can be a big draw for ants.
Kibble Tidiness is Key
Pet food and water dishes are an easy target for insects on the hunt. This is especially true if you leave food out all day for your pets. Wash the floor around your pet’s food bowl as regularly as possible. Try to pick up dishes after your pet is done eating. Good habits can help protect your home from ants.
Foundations Need to Be Firm
Cracks in the siding and concrete foundation of your home offer easy access for pests trying to search your home. Caulking and filling cracks in your home can make a difference in keeping ants and other pests out of your home without breaking the bank.
If you have an ant infestation, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect and treat the pest problem.
Here’s how to tell what kind of ants have entered your home.
The team at Graduate Pest Solutions can keep the ants out of your home. Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us with any questions or if you are experiencing a pest problem. We have the knowledge and the services necessary to help keep your home pest-free!
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