The best way of getting rid of ants is to use an Integrated Pest Management program to identify the source and use low-risk effective methods to effectively neutralize the pests.
Ants can be more than just a nuisance. Odorous ants contaminate food and carpenter ants build nests by tunneling through wood — damaging wall framing and other wood materials of your house, located in Eastern Connecticut.
Avoid creating a haven for ants. Ants look for food, water, and shelter. Try to minimize their access to each.
These indoor tips will not only make your home less welcoming to ants, but also to cockroaches, rodents, and other pests:
- Don’t leave crumbs or spills; clean those tempting food items up—before an ant decides to do it for you.
- Wipe off those sticky syrup and honey bottles — better yet, stick them in the fridge. A little bit of goo for you, is a smorgasbord for a tiny ant.
- Wrap up sticky or stinky trash — and if possible keep in a sealed waste bin until trash day. The best way to get rid of your old vegetables, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds? Put them in your compost bin, away from your house. You’ll be creating great compost while keeping pest enticements away from your living space.
These outdoor tips will reduce an insect’s water source along with eliminating easy entrances.
- Remove water sources such as drips or leaks. (Not only to reduce pests such as ants and termites, but to prevent mold and other house damage.)
- Trim back trees and bushes from your home to reduce access. Once again, this not only makes it more difficult for insects to get inside, but it will help reduce other nuisance animals such as squirrels and mice from visiting your attic space.
- Repair window screens and fix up gaps along the screen edges.
- Caulk cracks around windows or doors. Save on heating and cooling bills while keeping ants out!
- Repair masonry cracks. Having the job done right may cost you less time and money than you expect with an experienced mason.
