Ants will invade in droves, searching for a food source and place to inhabitat . These tiny invaders can be a major nuisance, especially if they decide to take over your kitchen! Luckily, with a few simple steps, you can keep your kitchen ant-free. Let’s dive into some easy ant prevention tips to avoid ant infestation.
Ant Prevention Tips
Know the Ant Species
There are several ant species you will likely encounter in Florida and knowing which one you’re dealing with will help determine the best plan of action to eliminate them.
- Carpenter Ants: These ants can be very destructive, known to burrow into wood and cause structural damage!
- Fire Ants: This species is known for their painful sting; these ants will typically stay outdoors, taking over your yard with their mounds.
- Argentine Ants: These ants have an attraction to sweets such as syrup or fruit juices. Argentine ants will form large colonies and can be highly invasive once they infest inside a home.
- Ghost Ants: These tiny, almost translucent ants are known to build their nests either inside homes or outside, seeking sweet foods like fruit to eat.
Ant Prevention is Key
One of the best ways to keep ants from invading your home is to place easy, preventative measures throughout your property to deter them away. Check out these easy do-it-yourself ant prevention tips:
- Ants are attracted to food residues, so it’s crucial to regularly wipe down countertops, stovetops, and dining tables after each meal.
- Sweep and mop to help eliminate crumbs and spills on the floor.
- When storing food, use airtight containers, especially for sugar, flour, and cereals.
- Inspect your home for cracks and gaps around the windows, doors, and foundation; seal them with caulk or weather stripping.
- Make sure your window and door screens are in good repair and free of holes.
- Keep bushes and trees trimmed away from your home.
Call the Pros
Dealing with ants can be frustrating, but with persistence and the right strategies, you can keep your kitchen ant-free. If you’ve tried all do-it-yourself methods and still find yourself battling these pests, it could be time to call a local Orlando pest control company near you. These professionals will provide you with a thorough inspection, ant species identification, entry points, and comprehensive pest control treatment and prevention options for your ant situation.
