Ants are some of the most common pests in California, and unfortunately, we have a wide range of ant species here. From those pesky carpenter ants that can destroy your home’s structure to the bothersome fire ants that deliver painful stings, dealing with ants in California is no fun. Depending on the type of ant infesting your home, you may need professional assistance. While most ants are just annoying, they can still cause damage to your home, affect your health, and disrupt your peace of mind without you even realizing it.
Dealing with an ant infestation is a frustrating experience, and it can feel like a never-ending battle. Squashing or getting rid of a few ants only seems to attract more until you feel overwhelmed. However, before giving up, there are several things you can try to get rid of ants, even if the problem seems insurmountable.
Why do Ants Enter Houses?
Unlike many pests, ants don’t typically make their nests inside houses. Most ants prefer to build their hills outdoors. So when ants enter your house, they are usually in search of food, moisture, or shelter.
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “this is how you get ants.” This is often said when there’s a spill or some leftover food or drink on the floor. While accidents do happen, it is important to clean up spills and messes right away. Ants are attracted to spilled food or drink, and if they find any, they’ll go back to their nest and let others know about the food source. That’s how most infestations start.
In California, ants may also seek refuge in homes due to extreme heat or dryness. Although this is often beyond our control, these ants are usually just occasional visitors. They may inform their nest about a potential shelter, but it’s unlikely to become a major issue unless there’s a drought or heavy rainfall.
Home Remedies for Ants
For small infestations that originate outside the house, trying some home remedies can be a good first step to prevent ants from entering and causing headaches. The effectiveness of these methods may vary depending on the ant species, but it’s worth giving them a shot.
If you’re unsure about handling the situation or if you believe the infestation is too large for DIY remedies, it’s recommended to hire a professional pest control agency, such as Brooks, as soon as possible.
Sealing Cracks around Doors and Windows
Most ants need an entry point in order to invade your home, and they often squeeze through tiny cracks. Since ants are tiny creatures, it’s crucial to make sure there are no cracks around your doors and windows. Additionally, trimming back trees that are close to your house can help. Ants can use branches as bridges to enter your home. If you’re not sure how the ants are getting in, they might be using plants as their pathway.
This method should work for most ants, but it’s not effective against carpenter ants that can burrow through wood. Carpenter ants can create new entry points, so sealing cracks will only slow them down.
Using Vinegar, Cinnamon, or Lemon Juice
Sprinkling vinegar, cinnamon, or lemon juice around entryways like doors and windows can deter ants from entering. These natural scents, with their acidity or strong smell, often repel ants from their usual paths. While some ants may ignore these scents, most will be discouraged and won’t return.
It’s best to try these methods one at a time because combining them isn’t recommended and could undermine their effectiveness.
Wiping away their “Trail” with Ammonia
Ants leave pheromone trails to find their way back to places they’ve been before. If you can locate the entry point, you can disrupt their trail by using a glass cleaner that contains Ammonia. This can break the pheromone trail and prevent them from returning to their old entry point. While this method is generally effective, it requires identifying where the ants are coming from and wiping away their trail for several yards.
Boiling Water
If you can locate the ants’ nest, pouring boiling water is the best method for eradication. Anything less than boiling water may not have the desired effect, and the ants could survive and become agitated. Boiling water will flood the nest, killing all the ants inside. However, it’s important to note that this method is not recommended for dealing with multiple nests or fire ants. In such cases, it’s best to call a pest control professional.
Bait Traps
If you can’t find the ants’ nest or if you’re dealing with multiple nests, using bait traps can be a viable solution. You can purchase them at hardware stores or seek advice from a pest control professional. Bait traps attract ants and expose them to a slow-acting poison. The ants then carry the poison back to their nests, leading to the eradication of the entire colony.
It’s worth noting that bait traps may not be fully effective against all ant species, as some ants are not affected by the poison. However, the advantage of this method is that it avoids triggering aggression among the ants.
Call the Professionals at Brooks Pest Control
If you feel nervous or uncertain about employing any of these techniques to permanently get rid of ants, it’s highly recommended to seek the assistance of a professional. Dealing with infestations yourself can be frustrating, and may not be effective. It’s better to let experts like those at Brooks handle the situation, so you can continue living your best life. Give us a call at 1-833-369-1242 for professional assistance with ants, cockroaches, rodents and more!