Ants are a common nuisance pest in New England, indoors and out. Once they infest your home, they can be hard to get rid of. Luckily, Modern Pest can help! There are also things you can do to help keep them out of your home. So, what kind of ants do you have, and what can you do about them?
Common Ants in New England
Some of the most common ants found indoors in New England are:
- Carpenter Ants– They don’t actually eat wood, they chew smooth tunnels through it and build nests there. They cause structural damage to buildings that can be severe.
- Odorous House Ants- They get their name from the rotten coconut-like smell they omit when crushed. Once they get inside, they nest near moist surfaces and inside wood damaged by termites. They enjoy eating sweet foods and can contaminate food supplies.
- Pavement Ants– They are common both indoors and outdoors. They access buildings through cracks in foundations and concrete slabs and nest in the soil underneath surfaces. They eat various thing, including sugary foods, meat, bread, garbage, pet food, and other things.
- Little Black Ants– They are just that- little and black. They scavenge and love to eat sugary and fatty foods. They’re usually found in wall voids and rotting wood.
Don’t let ants go marching through your home! Call Modern at 800-323-7378
How to Keep Ants Out
Adhering to these ant prevention tips in conjunction with professional pest control from Modern can keep your home from being infested by ants this spring and summer.
Hide All Food Sources
Easily accessible food sources are usually the main reason why ants take up residence inside homes. Ants feed on food crumbs, sugar, protein, and almost any edible thing they can find. Therefore, eliminating food sources should be your first line of defense against ant infestations.
Seal all food containers and keep kitchen surfaces clean. Do not leave any leftovers lying around, especially at night. Clean any spills immediately, particularly sugary liquids like maple syrup, honey, or soda.
Ants can chew through paper and cardboard, so it’s a good idea to transfer cereals and other items in similar packaging into food-grade, air-tight containers.
In addition to proper food storage, you should also look into proper food disposal. Seal your trash bins and throw away fruit peels, etc. in a tied plastic bag.
Keep Your House Clean
Elaborating on proper waste disposal, homeowners should keep their place clean in every sense of the word. Make it a habit to mop and vacuum regularly. Pay special attention to cleaning under carpets and furniture items. Dusting the furniture is extremely crucial if you or your kids frequently snack in the bed or on the sofa.
Likewise, you should be wiping down all home surfaces every day during the summer season. You might have noticed that ants tend to move in defined ‘lines.’ Ants follow a ‘scent trail’ created by the forager ants in their colony. Periodically wiping surfaces clears away this scent trail, making it difficult for ants to reach their desired food source or nesting area.
Disinfectant wipes with a strong fragrance are generally more effective than a plain wet cloth. Therefore, try to use scented wipes for cleaning surfaces, especially kitchen countertops.
Modern keeps ants from contaminating your kitchen. Call 800-323-7378 today!
Eliminate Moist Areas
Ants typically prefer living in damp areas. As such, bathrooms, basements, and the edges around windows require extra attention during this season. Thoroughly inspect your house for any leaks. If you find any, fix them without delay.
Carpenter ants are particularly drawn to water-damaged wood as it is easier to tunnel through moist wood. This makes decks and patios more susceptible to an ant invasion. If you have been putting off water damage repairs till now, it’s a good idea to get them done.
Homeowners who leave firewood lying in or near the house are highly likely to find an ant infestation. Wood logs or stumps are prone to rot, and ants thrive in rotting wood. Keep stacks of firewood outdoors and away from structures.
The Modern Solution
While you follow these tips to prevent summer ants from coming indoors, keep in mind that ants are social insects. So, even if you notice one or two roaming around your place, it might be just a matter of time before hundreds follow them inside.
Modern Pest can help rid your home of ants. Our Homecare Green service protects against over 55 common household pests, including carpenter ants, pavement ants, odorous ants, and little black ants. Call Modern today at 800-323-7378.