ants

Ants can be a nuisance, but once they start building colonies, they may cause damage to your property. They might eat food on your counter or in trash receptacles. In the garden, ants can encourage disease amongst healthy plants. Uncontrolled ant population growth and a subsequent infestation can be a huge inconvenience to homeowners.

Ants are more active during warmer months, as they take advantage of the summer and spring seasons to reproduce and gather food. Homeowners are advised to be more proactive with their pest control measures during this time.

Guard your property against ant infestation. Here are simple ant-proofing techniques to use while you are waiting for a pest control service to rectify the problem permanently:

Keep your home clean.

home

A messy home is more likely to invite an ant infestation because ants thrive in cluttered and unsanitary environments. You can keep ants and other pests off your property by keeping a clean house, back deck, and garden.

One way to prevent ant infestation is to ensure that all liquid and food spillages are cleaned up immediately. Wipe your fridge and kitchen cupboards regularly to remove traces of grime. If you have indoor pets, spraying a mixture of water and vinegar around your pets’ food bowls repels ants from the food dish. Be careful not to leave any crumbs lying around.

Seal all possible entry points.

jar

Ants can fit through incredibly small spaces. Do regular inspections of your house and spot any gaps or crevices that can become entry points for ants. Pay special attention to cracks and openings around your windows, doors, walls, and air vents. You may fill these spaces with caulk, sealant, and weather stripping.

You may also use detergent to clean the areas surrounding the entry points prior to sealing. This will remove pheromone trails (chemicals released by animals and insects that trigger a social response among their species). You may then spray a homemade, safe repellent around the perimeter, doing the same for your dining table, countertops, and floors. Use a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, allowing it to air-dry.

Take out the trash.

Empty the trash and clean the area around it daily (or every few days, depending on the amount of trash you accumulate).Trash receptacles are a prime food source for ants, so be mindful of how much garbage is piling up. If the receptacles aren’t full, cover them to prevent pests from entering.

Use strong scents as deterrents.

Ants are repelled by strong smells, and there are a wide variety of scents in your own kitchen that can be used to detract them.

Some of these substances include vinegar, cinnamon, peppermint essential oil, mint extract, bay leaves, and lemon or orange essential oil. Spray or sprinkle any of these substances around possible entry points and the floors and countertops. Let it sit overnight.

For serious pest problems, you will need the intervention of a pest control expert. They can provide a wide range of services, including pest-proofing, treatment, and control.

For safe and effective pest control services for homes and commercial properties in Barrie and surrounding areas, call Mr. Pest Control at (705) 326-3377 or (705) 739-7378.

Call Mr. Pest Now!