Comprehensive Guide To Ant Control

Getting Rid of Ant Infestations

Comprehensive Guide To Ant Control

Ants can be quite a problem wherever, which is why the matter needs to be kept under control. Considering their numbers, it is ideal you hire a reputable pest control company. Pro Pest Control Sydney has all the knowledge and treatments necessary to remove the ant source and prevent further ant infestation.

Why Are Ants Considered Pests?

Ants are among the most persistent types of pests, found in homes and gardens. They are usually seen as a nuisance because they contaminate the food, cause damage to the property by eating through the wood and create unsightly mounds on the property.

Ants may not carry as much disease compared to mosquitos and other insects, but they do have the potential of carrying and transmitting fungal and bacterial microorganisms. Ants can affect the health of humans on occasion,

Common Species of Ants

There are thousands of ant species but only some of them may become problematic. The following are generally common:

  • Carpenter Ants – Dark brown or black ants that like to nest in damp or moist wood and may damage the structure of your building.
  • Argentine Ants – Argentine ants have a reddish-brown colour and, while they may not bite or sting humans, they attract other pest insects in return for honeydew secretion.
  • Black House Ant – Usually found in kitchens or areas with lots of rubbish or clutter. They are a common ant type that is attracted to sweets.
  • Coastal Brown Ant – Typically found in outside walls and yards, they tend to excavate the pathways and soil.
  • Sugar Ant – A common black ant usually found in the kitchen, similar to the black house ant. It is attracted to sugar and sweets.

How Do You Know You Have an Ant Problem?

In most cases, if you have a pest control problem involving ants, it will become obvious. Ant nests aren’t always found in the backyard – and in many cases, they can be seen in walls or dark wooden places. This makes them rather difficult to find before the situation grows troublesome.

Ants are small and hide well, but they leave traces. From seeing the ants to noticing the dirt piles or the other common signs, ants can damage the structure of your house.

Common Signs of Ant Infestation

Signs of Ant Infestation

If you have an ant infestation on your hands, you will likely know it – mainly because ants leave a mess behind them. You will see the signs in your yards, as well as your house. You may even see the marks on your skin. So, if you see the following signs, you might want to consider hiring the services of an ant control company:

  • Visible ant movement on your property
  • Sawdust trails in and around your house
  • Hollow sounds in the wooden beams
  • Fragile wooden structures
  • Piles of dirt and soil (ant nest)
  • Rustling noises coming from the walls
  • Small bite marks on your skin (rare)

Control Tips for Your Home

If you are dealing with a major ant infestation, the best thing for you to do is to contact a pest control company. That being said, there are some treatment methods that you may also use to remove ants or prevent their reappearance. Here are some pest control tips you need to keep in mind.

  1. Look Out for “Scout Ants”

When ants make their way into your home, you won’t be seeing all of them. You’ll only see a couple of “scouts” going around your house. These “scouts” are true to their name and will try to find out if your home is a good food source for the colony. If it turns out that your house is indeed a good food source, be certain that more will follow – so, kill the scout and take pest control action to prevent further entry.

  1. Don’t Leave Dirty Dishes

You may not want to handle the mountain of dishes after you have a meal but leaving them there may actually attract the ants. Leftover food will look like a buffet for potential “scouts,” which will go on and announce the rest of the colony.

  1. Vacuum Regularly

As you may know, ants are small – so, if you have any “scouts” on your floor, you may not even be able to see them. Vacuuming will solve this problem. Plus, it will also take away stray food crumbs from the floor, which scouts can use to find a food source.

  1. Use the Right Pest Control Substances

Certain substances are unappealing to ants and will keep them away from your house. Brewed coffee grounds have the potential to repel ants. White vinegar is also efficient against ants, killing and repelling them at the same time.

  1. Wipe the Counters and Workbenches

Ants may be attracted to food, but they may also be attracted to the sticky sweet stuff. And generally, they won’t need much of it. For example, that small spill of sweetened coffee might be appealing enough to them. To ensure pest control, make sure that you clean all common areas of any potential spills.

  1. Use Ant Baits

Killing the ants you see won’t do you any good; you need a way to get rid of the whole colony. Ant control baits are sweet, edible carbohydrates that have minimal toxicity for animals and humans but are toxic to ants. These can help you with pest control, as the ants will take the bait directly to the hidden nest. This will eliminate the entire colony.

  1. Use Essential Oils

Essential oils also have the potential of killing and repelling ants. Some of the most efficient are peppermint, tea tree, lemon eucalyptus, and cinnamon essential oil. Make a spray out of water and a few drops of these essential oils. You may also soak a cotton ball in these essential oils, leaving it in ant-populated areas.

  1. Seal Small Gaps

If you have small gaps around your doors and windows, you might want to seal them. If they can’t get in, they can’t infest your home.

  1. Stow the Firewood Properly

Some ants are attracted to the sweetness of firewood. This is why you may want to store it in a shed, in a place that’s off the ground.

  1. Take Care of Your Yard

Before making their way into your home, ants will also go through your yard. Ants like dead leaves and tree limbs, so make sure that you take any of the dead fallen stuff off the ground.

 

Ants can be destructive for your home. However, if you notice an infestation, it is time you look for an ant control solution who can offer you high-quality services.