When temperatures rise, and natural resources become limited, ants often scorch a route to homes. This raises the need for ant control, and Escondido CA, your local pest, mosquito, and termite management – and grounds care – professional, can help.
What attracts ants to your home when they seem content crawling along sidewalks or across your patio? The remedy is simple: eat more food.
Argentine ants are California’s most abundant ant species due to their large colony sizes and aggressive foraging behavior. House, pavement, and pharaoh ants are also among the most bothersome ants in the state.
Because each ant species has a unique management strategy, it’s vital to accurately identify the ants you’re working with to treat them effectively. Your Escondido Pest Control specialist can help you make a definitive diagnosis and then offer the best treatment.
TIPS FOR ANT PREVENTION AND CONTROL
The most effective way to keep ants out of your home is to remove the source of their attraction and the access points that let them in.
Keep your home clean: Daily, clean up food crumbs, spills, and other food sources that may attract ants. Keep an eye on the kitchen counters, dining rooms, and other locations where food is prepared or consumed. Because ants have a sweet tooth, they are attracted to kitchens, pantries, cabinets, and indoor and outdoor dining areas.
Store food properly: All food, including pet food, should be kept in airtight containers. Ants may quickly get access to open food packages; therefore, storing food in airtight containers will help to avoid infestations.
Seal entry points: Inspect your house for any cracks, gaps, or holes through which ants may enter. To prevent access, seal these entrance sites with caulk or weatherstripping.
Remove potential nesting sites: Ants often build nests in open areas such as tree stumps, fuel stacks, or overgrown vegetation. These potential nesting sites should be eliminated or relocated away from your property.
Trim vegetation: Trim any branches, shrubs, or plants near your home. Because ants may use them as bridges to enter your house, avoiding contact decreases the risk of illness.
Eliminate excess moisture: Check for and remove any standing water on your property since these may attract certain ant species. Repair any leaks or plumbing issues to prevent water collecting. Ants are attracted to moisture offered by sinks, leaky faucets, and even improperly caulked showers and bath enclosures, not crumbs and spills.
Clean outdoor garbage and recycling cans: Keep your exterior garbage cans well-locked and clean them regularly to prevent attracting ants.
If you suspect an ant problem in your home, contact California’s trusted, friendly ant control professional at (619) 900-6771 or visit our website Escondido Pest Control appreciates your help in keeping pests out of your home and yard until the next time.