Unfortunately, it’s easy for ants to find a way into your home. They can get into your space through cracks in walls, gaps in the foundation, through spaces underneath your flooring, and more. Sometimes, ants simply crawl into your home through windows and doors in search of food and water. Knowing where your ant problem is coming from is key in getting rid of an ant infestation and preventing one in the future.
It may seem like ant infestations are inevitable when every spring tons of these bothersome bugs make their way into your space. You see them crawling across countertops and suddenly you have an ant infested kitchen. But… How did they get there in the first place?
How are Ants Getting in My House?
The first step to keeping ants out of your space this spring: find the root of the problem. A few ways that ants make their way into your home include:
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1. Through Cracks in Walls
In most homes, there are gaps large enough for ants to crawl through around your windows, doors, and vents. Look for these cracks where the wall meets the floor and ceiling, around window and door frames, and near outlets, pipes, and electrical lines.
2. Through Gaps in the Foundation
Ants are quite small,Ants are quite small, which means they can easily squeeze through gaps in your home’s foundation. Not only can ants get inside through these gaps, but once they infiltrate your foundation they can cause some serious damage to your home.
3. Through Flooring
Sometimes ants travel inside your flooring. They can establish routes underneath carpet, tile, and hardwood floors.
4. Through Doors and Windows
Do you ever leave your windows open to get a little fresh air in the house? Do you ever leave your doors open while you’re running in and out on a nice day? This gives ants the perfect opportunity to sneak into your home. Plus, window frames often collect moisture and rot over time—this rot can provide a home for several types of ants, like carpenter ants and yellow ants, for example.
5. They are Accidentally Carried Inside
There’s a chance that you accidentally brought ants inside with you. Ants can hitch rides on houseplants, toys, used furniture, and storage tubs, for example.
How Do I Get Rid of Ants in My House?
Believe it or not, it is possible to rid your home of an ant infestation. But it’s important to act quickly. Here’s what you should do if these pests invade your space:
Follow the Trail
Your first response to seeing ants in your home may be to sweep them up right away. Before you do this, however, see what it is that’s attracting the ants. Clean up whatever’s drawing them into your home. It’s possible that this is enough to make the ants leave.
Spray Infested Areas
Spray anywhere that you’ve seen ants with one-part vinegar and three parts water.
Spray Entrance Points
Ants hate peppermint and lavender. So, combine the two oils and spray the mixture on entry points like window sills and door frames.
Hire a Professional Pest Control Team
If you want to be 100% confident that ants (and other pests) are out of your space, the most surefire way is to hire a professional pest control company like Plunkett’s.
How Do I Prevent Ants from Coming Back?
Once you’ve done all the hard work to get rid of your ant infestation, make sure you’re taking precautionary measures to keep them out. You don’t want those awful ants coming back to wreak havoc on your home. Keep ants out by following these tips:
- Clean up food spills right away
- Store fruit in airtight containers
- Regularly clean out your trash cans
- If you have pets, clean up any spills around the food bowls regularly
- Ants love to nest under mulch--Use stone or rock around your house instead
- Fix leaking water pipes right when they happen
- Seal cracks and crevices around your house with caulk
Get and Keep Ants Out with Professional Pest Control
If you’ve tried our tips and tricks from above and you can’t seem to keep ants out of your home, get in touch with the professionals at Plunkett’s Pest Control. Our expert team can rid your space of pesky pests and take measures to ensure they stay out.
