Spring and summer are beautiful seasons to bask under the sun and enjoy the warm breeze. These are also the seasons to indulge in fun-filled activities such as going on a picnic, hiking, mountain climbing, golfing, or simply spending the day in a park. The drawback, though, is the unwanted pests that may be lurking in your home, garden, office, park, or anywhere. One of them is the ants.
In this blog article, we will talk about ant treatment, prevention, and pest control tips that you can apply to your home.
Identifying Ants in Utah
Ants are tiny, social insects of the Formicidae family. They build and live in colonies composed of thousands of fellow ant members. They have a head with two antennae, a thorax with six legs, an abdomen, and an exoskeleton. There are three types of adult ants which are worker ants, drones, and queens. Each with a distinctive role in the anthill.
Since ants prefer spring and summer, they look for food, build nests, mate, and produce offspring during these warmer seasons. Ants need a warm refuge, a reliable food source, and adequate water to thrive. If they find these three survival necessities, it is without a doubt that they will keep coming back to you. They are not only pervasive intruders but also terrible carriers of food contaminants.
Out of the 150 species in Utah, five types of ants are most common in the state. These types include carpenter ants, harvester ants, field ants, pavement ants, and velvety tree ants. Most of these species do not cause health hazards, except the latter. When harvester ants, also known as fire or red ants, bite, they inject particular acid into the skin. Aside from the painful sting, the bite can cause allergic reactions and small white bumps that often last several days. In some cases, a fire ant’s sting can be fatal if not treated immediately.
4 Ants Pest Control Tips
First, it is essential to identify the type of ant infesting your home. Some species may require a particular ant treatment to eliminate them. Then, find their anthill to get rid of ants entirely. It is a no-brainer to do your own pest control against ants in your house. The following tips will help you safely fix your ant pest problems.
If the infestation is severe, calling the help of a professional ant exterminator is your best course of action. Contact Bairds Pest Control today to inspect your home for safe and hassle-free ant removal.
- Block Means of Access
Closing possible entry points are the key to prevent indoor ants from entering your home. It is an integrated pest management (IPM) tactic and a safe and low-impact approach, especially if you have kids or pets at home.
- Find and seal entry points.
- Caulk exterior walls.
- Repair cracks, crevices, or screens.
- Seal openings and gaps around doors and windows.
- Spray EPA-approved (Environmental Protection Agency) insecticides along with entry points or outdoor ant barriers.
- Clean Regularly and Thoroughly
Cleaning is a preventative measure that acts as your first line of defense against ants or any other pests. It removes the sources of food, water, and habitat of ants which chase them away.
- Seal the containers of food and drinks tightly.
- Wipe countertops before and after food preparation.
- Empty garbage regularly.
- Sweep, mop, and vacuum frequently.
- Eliminate any hidden speck, scrap, or crumb of food.
- Spray Ant Repellents
Repellents are substances that prevent pests from approaching or dwelling on a property. There are ant repellents that are eco-friendly, accessible, and safe. Furthermore, you may also apply EPA-approved pesticides that are available for public use. Follow the safety steps and procedures in using pesticides correctly. Prevent kids and pets from coming to the areas where you applied these.
- Use lemon juice to spray on entry points as ants are sensitive to the smell of lemon.
- Blend equal parts of vinegar and water. Wipe or spread the mixture in areas where you detect ants.
- Sprinkle herbs, such as black pepper, cayenne, chili pepper, cinnamon, or garlic, in places where you spot ants.
- Place coffee grounds outside your house or in the garden to deter ants.
- Mix borax with honey or sugar and put this in a small container where ants can reach it.
- Use an Ant Bait
Ant baits entice ants a lot. Since these tiny insects like to forage for food, they can be attracted to different kinds of food, from sweet to oily stuff. Try to find out which food attracts them and choose the bait that suits their taste. Make sure that the trick is also EPA-approved. A word of caution is to keep children or pets away from the bait if you have decided to use it.
How to Get Rid of Ants?
For a comprehensive, hassle-free, and safe ant control and removal, Bairds Pest Control is at your service within Utah. We only use the best pest control that is effective for ants to protect your home and family. Call us now for an inspection.
