If you have ants in your home, you’re definitely not alone. In a recent survey, 54% of pest management professionals said that ant infestations in homes are on the rise. In this handy guide, we’ll show you why one ant is never just one ant, how and why ants are invading your home, some simple and effective tips to prevent ants, and why you should trust a professional Waldorf pest control company like Mike’s Pest and Termite Control to get rid of them for you.
One Ant Usually Means More
One solo ant on your kitchen counter could be nothing. You can squish it with a paper towel and toss it in the trash. However, if you’ve seen an ant every day, you could have a problem. Ants forage up to 30 feet away from their colonies to find food sources. They have two stomachs — one for their own nutritional needs and one to share food with the colony.
If you see more than one ant, you may have a pheromone trail from the colony to the fruit bowl on your kitchen counter. If you see ants in a row heading for your apples, oranges, and bananas, you’ve got an ant infestation.
Two of the most common ants in Waldorf are common house ants and carpenter ants. Both are dangerous in their own ways. Common house ants are known carriers of E. coli, shigella, and Salmonella. Carpenter ants move into the wooden structure of your house, creating tunnels and galleries for the colony to live in. If left unchecked, they can cause serious structural damage. Because of these dangers, you need professional ant control in Waldorf.
Why And How Ants Find Their Way Into Our Homes
You may be wondering, “How do ants get in your house?” Ants find their way into your home because they’re after the same comforts you enjoy there: food, water, and shelter. They get in through cracks and crevices in your foundation, under doors where door sweeps have failed, around gaps in your windows, and in many other ways. They can be carried in on plants or packages, sneak in on your gardening gloves, or just follow you through the door.
Carpenter ants prefer to come in through water-damaged or moldy wood. It’s easy for their large mandibles to start chewing through this softer wood, though hardwood is no challenge for them, either.
What’s more important than why and how ants find their way into your home is knowing how to get rid of ants. At Mike’s Pest and Termite Control, we’ve got the training and materials to eliminate this pest from your home.
Simple And Effective Ant Prevention Tips
There are several steps you can take to prevent ants from moving in, including:
- Practice ant control in your yard by cleaning up piles of brush, fallen trees or branches, and other yard debris where ants may harbor.
- Put tight-fitting lids on indoor and outdoor trash cans.
- Keep your kitchen clean. Wipe down your counters with cleanser daily. Wash dishes promptly. Don’t leave food sitting out — not even pet food.
- Store food in airtight containers, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer.
- Repair leaky faucets, spigots, and pipes.
- Replace any water-damaged or moldy wood around your home.
- Seal your foundation with caulk in cracks and crevices.
For the most effective ant control, contact the experts at Mike's Pest and Termite Control.
Quality Ant Control For Your Waldorf Home
If you need to know how to keep ants away for good, contact the home pest management professionals at Mike’s Pest and Termite Control. We have 25 years of experience in the industry, we’re locally owned and operated, and Mike grew up right here in Waldorf. We know the area, we know the people, and we know the pests. Contact us today to schedule your free inspection and get those ants out of your home.