Pests are a common problem for Houston homeowners. One of the main pest culprits is ants. While having a few ants in any household is quite normal, they can certainly take over and cause serious issues when not controlled. Mostly a nuisance, ants can also get into our food or our pet's food and contaminate it. Some ants even bite. When you have an ant control problem, you must take it seriously.
In this blog, we explore common habits of ants, simple tips to prevent them from coming into your home, and how Houston pest control professionals can get rid of them completely.
The Habits Of Common Ants
Common ants are mostly just an annoyance. Understanding how they operate can help us identify how to deal with them and how to keep them from coming back.
Ants have a survivor's brain. They are mostly searching for shelter, warmth, and food to survive. Many common ants will sniff out any traces of food left around, such as spills on the counter, pet food in bowls, and any food that isn't properly stored away. Some ants, however, have no interest in human food, such as the citronella ant.
One important thing to note about ants is that they are social insects. They're part of larger colonies that divide work among the members for the greater good of all. The average ant colony comprises thousands of individual ants, though there are smaller colonies than this. Ants can also lift 10 to 50 times their body weight, which is why you might see an ant with a very large piece of food and wonder how it's carrying it.
Do Ants In My Home Mean It's Dirty?
Having ants in your home doesn't always mean your home is dirty, but they might stay if it is. Ants will enter your house for various reasons. You may have many cracks or holes around the foundation or untamed plants brushing up the exterior walls of your home, providing a bridge for hungry ants. There could also be several ant colonies outside your home if you don't have proper ant control in your yard.
Whichever way ants find their way into your home, they will be more likely to stay if it's dirty or there are opportunities to feast. If you have pets, they may find their way to their food bowl. If you left your dishes in the sink for a day, they could also dine on any leftover scraps. Keeping a clean home will only help deter ants from staying.
Simple Tips To Prevent Ants In The House
You can take a few preventative measures to keep ants from entering your home in the first place. Some simple tips include:
- Clean up food spills immediately.
- Sweep your floors regularly, especially in the kitchen.
- Store food in tightly lidded containers.
- Put pet food in bowls only when it's time for them to eat.
- Seal any cracks or crevices on the exterior of your home.
- Reduce moisture in your home by sealing up any leaky pipes and getting a dehumidifier for areas prone to humidity.
- Make sure garbage lids are properly fitted and not overflowing.
- Clean out garbage bins regularly for spills and food scraps.
Following these ant prevention tips will help dissuade them from staying in your home, but more serious measures, such as hiring ant pest control, may need to be taken to get rid of them completely.
How To Completely Get Rid Of Ants In Your Home
Getting rid of ants completely can be a difficult task without the help of a professional. Often, people spend a lot of money on store-bought ant control solutions that simply don't work. The best way to get rid of ants in your home is to hire pest control services near you. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we work tirelessly to ensure we exterminate every last ant from your home. If you're struggling with an ant infestation, don't let it fester any longer; call us today for effective ant control.