Pest control ants become a concern when they appear in a home. They are not dangerous but can be very annoying. When ants begin trickling in they quickly invade in large groups. It can seem as if nothing gets rid of them – they just keep coming back. What most people may not know is that ants don’t just show up out of nowhere. So what causes ants to invade homes in Springfield, Missouri? 

A few ants wandering around the kitchen floor doesn’t necessarily mean there is an ant infestation yet, but those lone ants can lead to a more serious problem. Lone ants are scouting for a new home to establish a colony. Once they find a place to nest inside a home, the entire colony soon follows. This can result in costly pest control ants.

What Causes Ant Invasions

Ants invade homes because they have found an ideal food source – sugary foods and other uncovered food. Scavenger ants enter first and search the home looking for signs of food – crumbs, spilled sugary drinks, uncovered food and more. When they find it, they return to their nest and notify other worker ants. A massive swarm of ants then begins to enter the home and starts collecting food to take back to the rest of the colony. Ants are particularly attracted to the scent of sugar and grease.

For effective pest control ants, clean the kitchen regularly and thoroughly, making sure to clean up sugar and grease residue and quickly wipe up spills. After preparing meals use soap or a solution of vinegar and water to wipe down counter tops; water alone does not entirely eliminate the food scents that attract ants. Place a bay leaf in bags or canisters of flour and other dry foods. Additionally, securely store food in tightly sealed plastic containers or in the refrigerator, especially sweet foods like syrup, sugar and honey, helps manage pest control ants.

Unfortunately, no matter how clean the home may be, it’s still very difficult to completely manage pest control ants. “People” food is not the only source that ants look for – pet food can also lead to ant invasions. When dog and cat food is left sitting out for extended periods of time, it attracts pests like ants (and roaches). Keeping pet food dishes covered can help pest control ants.

Other Causes of Ant Invasions

In some cases, an ant problem may not be from what’s inside the house, but could simply be that the ant colonies are too close. Ants can easily gain access to the inside through holes and openings. Professional pest control ants technicians can inspect the property thoroughly to find nearby colonies and eradicate them, then sealing the holes that ants are entering from.

Carpenter ants will enter a home to look for wood. They may have actually built a nest nearby and could be living indoors. Wood retaining walls, firewood, and outdoor sheds are attractive to this species of ant. Effective pest control ants is to eliminate the colony, then seal cracks and holes in walls and floors with silicone caulk. Use weather stripping around windows and doors to prevent ants from gaining entry into the home.

Another often overlooked food source for ants is the garbage can. Perishable food scraps should be placed inside a bag before throwing in the garbage can. Leaving food in the garbage can for more than a day can emit a strong odor that attracts ants (and mice). Placing garbage outside every day, and moving trash cans away from the door to the home, are deterrents for pest control ants.

Like every other species on the planet, ants need water. If there is excess moisture around the home, it may be attracting ants. One common area in which ants appear are bathrooms, because of the readily accessible water. Carpenter ants will build their nest underneath the bathroom sink or tile because they are areas that usually hold more moisture than others.

In addition, the kitchen sink may also provide ants with needed water. Keeping the area around the kitchen sink free of standing water, and repairing water leaks elsewhere in the home is effective pest control ants.

Most Common Types of Ants

One of the most common types of ants in Springfield, Missouri, is the house ant. The tiny, dark-colored ant is also called a ‘sugar ant’ because of the strong odor they emit when crushed. They get into everything and are found everywhere in the home.

Another species in this area is the pavement ant, which is a very small, brown-colored ant usually seen in cracks and crevices in sidewalks and concrete blocks. They build huge underground nests with volcano-shaped mounds as entrances. They usually stay outdoors but will go inside buildings with concrete slabs.

The carpenter ant is the most destructive and comes in all shapes and sizes. They build nests inside wet and rotted wood and bore trails and chambers to travel and colonize in. They build massive colonies and can cause a lot of damage.

Even by taking preventative measures, professional services for pest control ants may also be necessary to avoid infestations. Some ant species are more difficult to eliminate than others, such as carpenter ants. In extreme cases, contact Expert Pest Solutions for effective pest control ants at your home. We offer a Quarterly Pest Control plan to safely and effectively treat for ant infestations.

Expert Pest Solutions serves the Springfield, Missouri area for pest control ants. We offer competitive rates and top-notch service.

 

Expert Pest Solutions

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