What do I need to know about ants?
It is not unusual to have an ant invasion every once in a while. It may just be that it is warming up and the ants are starting to come out, after a particularly dry period when the ants are looking for water, or a result of that time that you spilled juice under the fridge and forgot to clean it up. But if you have recurrent ant invasions, or it seems as if you can never completely get rid of them, you may have more than just the seasonal
ant visit on your hands.
How do ants get into my house?
Ants will take any path they can to get into your house. They are susceptible to many triggers which would lead them to want to enter in the first place. Water is a big drawing point for ants, as are sweet treats, sticky messes, and sweet fruit such as bananas and watermelon. Sometimes ants enter your house accidentally, following the path of something they found in the area around your house and then being led inside looking for more. Ants can get in through the tiniest of holes and cracks, so don’t assume that any entry point is off limits – window and door edges, through the foundation, walls, and roof are all possible ways for ants to get inside your home.
What type of ants do I have?
In the Scarborough area, while you may feel as if you see ants all of the time, there are really only three main types of ants that you will likely be exposed to and be
seeing in your house:
These are the ants you are
likely most familiar with: the classic, small black ant that is regularly seen
crawling on sidewalks or on the dirt. They are attracted to sweets and greasy
foods.
Carpenter
Ants
These ants are characterized by their ability to eat through wood. They first gather outside
your house,
in rotting wood like a fallen tree stump or a damp firewood pile, and then get
closer to your home and find wood inside to gnaw through as they look for food.
Similar to carpenter ants,
these ants chew through fabric and rubber in search of food and are identified
by their yellow color and triple antennae. They multiply quickly, so they
require timely attention so an infestation doesn’t get out of hand.
How can I keep ants out of my house?
The best thing to do about ants and to avoid the need to worry about ant control
measures, is to prevent them from getting in! While it’s not always possible, taking some precautionary measures can ensure you have the best chance of limiting unwanted ant visits this year.
First, make sure to empty your garbage every night – leaving things such as food wrappers or banana peels in the garbage can is a welcome mat for ants. And put all the garbage in the garbage can: leaving any sweet things, such as drinks or wrappers around your house and near doors and windows is an easy attractant to bring the ants inside! Combat this by checking that all your door and window seals are tight so that the ants can’t come in through these cracks.
Finally, clean up spills and crumbs in a timely manner and keep all surfaces disinfected to eliminate lingering smells. Do not leave any packages of cookies, sugar, or other sweet ingredients open in the cupboard, as these
too can give off enough odor to draw the ants in.
How do I get rid of an ant problem in my house?
With a better understanding of ants and the problem at hand, it’s time to tackle the big question: how do I get rid of the ants?
Initially you may be inclined to try at-home ant control options. Many of these poisons are simply liquids that you place in the areas where the ants tend to congregate or along the path that they follow to enter your home. Other chemicals are preventative treatments that you would spray around the perimeter of your house or doors and windows in the early stages of an ant problem to prevent more from coming in.
There are also other DIY methods, such as using sticky tape, placed on the counter face up so that the ants get stuck to it. Other people swear by drawing lines of chalk along the surface where the ants are headed, with the idea that they won’t cross the chalk line.
While many of these methods may be suitable for
minor problem or one-off ant sighting, they are not the solution for an ant infestation, a regularly occurring ant problem, or more destructive ant species such as carpenter ants. For those, you need to call in an ant extermination service to clean up your Scarborough home!
What does an exterminator do?
An exterminator is like the pest control king or queen. Armed with proper equipment, experienced in dealing with a variety of pest situations and knowledgeable in different techniques, these guys are the answer to your long-term pest problem.
An exterminator will come into your home and perform an assessment. During this time, he or she will observe evidence of the pest or the destruction they have left behind, as well as ask several questions. They will want to know how long you’ve had the ant problem for, the time of day that the disturbances are most frequent, and the severity of the infestation. From there, the exterminator will be able to create a comprehensive plan to address your particular issue, then carry out an extermination procedure for the ants.
Who should I call for an exterminator?
The important thing to consider when you call an exterminator for ant control in your Scarborough home is that you are working with someone who is committed to you and your particular situation. Every pest issue is unique, requiring its own tailored solution – cookie-cutter plans just won’t cut it. When you call Power Pest, we guarantee that you’ll get a personalized plan for your home. We care about every one of our customers, their situation, and finding the best solution as quickly as possible. We aim to maintain optimal customer care and assistance,
high quality service, and care for the environment whenever possible.
Stop fighting the ants solo and call Power Pest today. We’ll be there right away to help you solve your ant problem for good.
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