Have ants taken over your kitchen? While most species of ants are simply a nuisance and won’t cause any real damage, they can contaminate your food and be a general annoyance. Also, it won’t take long for a few ants to turn into a full-blown infestation. They are social creatures, so once they find a food source, they will invite all their friends to come feast. That is why you will want to address the problem as quickly as possible. Here some practical tips for getting rid of ants in your kitchen.
1. Clean, Clean, Clean
Start by wiping down the kitchen counters, sweeping and mopping floors, removing any garbage and doing a deep clean of the area. This includes cleaning any pet bowls that may be sitting out. In addition, you will want to make sure that all of your food is stored in airtight containers.
2. Eliminate the Ant Trail
Ants operate by sending out scouts to find food and water. These scouting ants leave behind a trail of pheromones for the other ants to follow. You can cut off the trail and interrupt the signal by spraying the area with a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water. This mixture will be enough to eliminate the trail and prevent more ants from following suit.
3. Try Ant Baits
Place ant baits in areas where you have noticed ants. These traps contain a sweet substance that the ants will ingest and then carry back to the nest. This means that you can eliminate the ants in your home and attack the problem right at the sources for an effective treatment. Keep in mind that this approach may take time. Be patient and don’t panic if you see more ants before the numbers start to drop off. Finally, be sure to carefully read the instructions on these products and only place them in safe areas.
4. Try to Find the Entry Point
Ants tend to enter the home through broken screens, cracks around windows and doors and any small hole they can find. You will want to find the entry point so that you can seal up this area once you have eradicated the ants.
5. Call the Professionals
How you get rid of ants can depend largely on the species. A pest control professional will be able to easily identify the kind of ants you are dealing with, make recommendations about the best elimination approach, based on a variety of factors and help you eliminate ants for good. A pest expert will also be able to locate the nest and get to the root of the problem. Once the nest has been eliminated, you can begin to seal up the entry points in order to prevent further infestations.
If you have tried battling ants in your kitchen on your own and you continue to have problems, it may be time to call the professionals at PMi Pest Management. Our team of experts is well-versed in all species of ants and prepared to help you create a treatment plan that fits your home and your budget. Contact us today to get started.
