Not only is your home a major investment, it is supposed to be a safe place for your family and your pets. Ants and other pests can compromise your home, cause damage and make your family uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are some concrete steps you can take to prevent ants from entering your home. Follow these simple tips to enjoy an ant free home.
1. Keep Your Home Clean and Tidy
Ants will enter your home to seek protection, food and water when the weather turns harsh. This means that any food left on the counter is bound to attract ants. Don’t make your home a perfect target by leaving leftovers out overnight. You will also want to make sure that sink drains are free of food debris and that water and other spills are immediately cleaned. And don’t forget about pet bowls. At the very least, you will want to clean the bowls often. Even the smallest source of water and food can be enough to invite an ant colony into your home.
2. Trim Back Branches from the House
If the trees and bushes that surround your home have become overgrown, they may be providing the perfect bridge for ants to enter your home. Be sure to maintain your yard and make sure that branches aren’t actually touching parts of the home. This will cut off an obvious pathway for ants to make their way from the yard and into your home.
3. Seal All Cracks
Even the largest species of ants don’t measure much more than a ½ inch. That means they are small enough to fit through even the smallest cracks and enter your home. If you want to create an ant free home, take the time to identify and seal any cracks around the entire house. These areas can include: ripped door and window screens, cracks in trim, rotten door and window frames, crumbling foundation, loose bricks and much more. Filling holes with silicone sealant, replacing weather stripping and doing minor repairs can eliminate entry points for ants.
4. Regularly Take out the Trash
Even if your indoor trash cans aren’t completely full, it is a good idea to empty them on a regular basis. The longer discarded food sits in the trash, the better it will smell to ants. This same rule applies to your outdoor trash cans. Don’t forget to take your cans to the curb on trash day and take the time to hose down your indoor and outdoor cans with hot water and detergent every so often. Keeping your trash cans clean and free from food debris will help you avoid attracting unwanted pests, including ants.
5. Use Natural Ant Repellents
There are many natural smells that can be used to repel ants and make your home less inviting without exposing your family to harmful chemicals. White vinegar is an excellent ant repellent that can be sprayed around window sills, baseboards and kitchen cupboards to deter ants from entering the home. Peppermint and tea tree oil also have the same effect and will actually make your home smell great. All you need to do is add a few drops of essential oil to water in a spray bottle to create a natural ant repellent. Spray and wipe down surfaces with the solution and key ants at bay.
With regular cleaning, a little home maintenance and some natural ant repellents, you can make sure that your home remains ant free. Instead of having to deal with a destructive infestation down the road, you can take proactive steps now to ensure that your home is protected. Follow these 5 easy steps to enjoy an ant free home.
