There are so many ways ants can be a problem. They climb around everywhere and make themselves a nuisance. They get into stored foods and contaminate them. Some cause a smell when crunched underfoot. Some spread diseases, and some tunnel into wood to create galleries for their nests. When ants appear in large numbers around your home or inside your kitchen, it can be difficult to figure out what pest you're dealing with. Here are some general ant control tips that help with all the ant species that get into Raleigh properties.
1. Keep Trash Receptacles Clean
The odor of decaying organic matter can attract ants from a distance. It can seem like a chore to keep your trash receptacles clean, but it is worth the effort. When you clean your receptacles, do it in an area away from your home, so that bacteria are not deposited on the ground near your home.
2. Rake Up Leaves
Do you have leaves near your home or underneath an exterior structure? If you do, you will have more trouble with ants. Many ant species will explore the moist, shaded environment under leaf litter. If they do this near your Raleigh home, they can accidentally find a way inside. It is best to keep leaves raked up.
3. Clean Gutters
A damp perimeter is highly attractive to many ant species, and there are few things that can saturate your perimeter better than a clogged or damaged gutter system. Clean your gutters and make repairs to ensure that rainwater gets channeled away from your home.
4. Alter Your Landscaping
Along with a dry perimeter, it is important to have landscaping that is as dry as possible. Wet vegetation can wilt and become diseased. This can attract aphids, which produce honeydew. Honeydew is a sweet treat for most ants. You can prevent all of this by taking a few tips to keep your landscaping dry.
Water your plants in the early morning.
Put space between your plants.
Trim shrubs and bushes.
Remove tree limbs to reduce shaded areas near your home.
5. Remove Wood
If you have stacks of wood, construction materials, or brush piles near your home, you'll have lots of ants. Consider moving these to at least 20 feet from your exterior and elevate them if possible.
6. Seal Entry Points
It is impossible to seal your exterior enough to keep all ants out, but everything you do to limit their ability to get in will help to reduce your chances of an infestation.
Repair damaged screens.
Fix damaged window panes.
Seal gaps around pipes.
Fix gaps in weatherstripping.
Fix or install door sweeps.
Repair cracks in mortar or concrete.
Use a caulking gun to seal gaps around window or door frames.
Repair or fill in holes created by wood-destroying pests.
7. Interior Sanitation
When scout ants come into your home in search of food, it is important that they don't find any. If they do, they'll return to their nests leaving a trail of pheromones for other worker ants to follow. This is why you sometimes find hundreds of ants inside your home all at once.
Clean spills up immediately.
Keep interior trash receptacles clean.
Vacuum and clean floors regularly.
8. Interior Moisture
Ants prefer a home that is humid. If you have leaking faucets or pipes, ants may decide to create a nest inside the voids of your home. Address plumbing issues as quickly as you can.
Professional Ant Control
If ants are driving your crazy in Raleigh, remember that the friendly and knowledgeable pest professionals at Pest & Termite Consultants are always standing by to assist you with your pest control needs. Reach out to us today for assistance. We can help.