6 Steps to An Ant Free Home

If you’ve never had to deal with an ant infestation you should count yourself as lucky because most of us have had to deal with an ant or two in our lifetime. Whether it’s the nest of pavement ants or a parade of odorous house ants flooding in through a cracked window if you have an ant infestation you may benefit from a pest control solution in Eugene.
 
Ants are in fact the number one nuisance in the U.S. There are over 700 species that live in the country and there are more than 20 types that are known just for infesting homes and other businesses. It’s not a surprise so many people are having infestations as we speak.
 
However, there are some simple things you can do as a homeowner to prevent these pesky insects from invading your home and they include the following:
 
 
Know The Popular Places
 
It’s very well known that ants love to infest kitchens. Obviously, because kitchens are where all the food is and of course water. Which is everything ants need to survive as well as other pests. Other places that attract ants include bedrooms, bathrooms, basements, inside walls, and in or around heating and air conditioning units.
 
 
Remove Their Water Source
 
You should remove moisture or standing water that surrounds your home which can be a really good way to prevent ants. You should repair any leaking pipes, and check under your sinks for areas of moisture. You can utilize a dehumidifier in basements that are known for being damp, crawl spaces, and attics too.
 
Outdoors you should ensure that the downspouts and gutters are functioning correctly so that the water from rainfall flows away from your home’s foundation.
 
 
Remove Food Sources
 
Cleaning your kitchen every day will ensure you don’t end up with unwelcome ants infesting your home. You should wipe down counters and sweep your floors every day to ensure no crumbs or residue from spills are left for them to devour. Make sure you store all foods in tightly sealed containers and keep your fruit in the refrigerator.
 
You can also wipe down any sticky jars, especially jars of honey, soda, syrup, or any other sweet foods. And also keep a lid on your trashcans and dispose of trash on a regular basis.
 
 
 
Your Pets
 
Dogs, cats, and any other pets can actually invite ants into your home. I know it doesn’t seem likely but it’s true. Their food and water bowls attract all kinds of pests, especially ants. Therefore you should be sure to keep pet bowls clean and make sure you clean up any spills of food or water as soon as possible.
 
You should store dry pet food in a sealed container rather than leaving them in the paper bags that they came in because ants can easily access the food through the paper bags. You should inspect doggy doors to make sure the ants cannot get through them easily. Because ants can fit through the tiniest of gaps in doors and windows.
 
 
Block off Or Eliminate Access Points
 
You should inspect the exterior of your home for any access points that ants might be able to easily crawl through any cracks or gaps in windows or doors to be sealed off completely. Also, any trees or bushes should be trimmed away from the exterior of your home because branches can provide little highways for ants to crawl across directly making their way into your home.
 
You can use silicone caulk to seal off those cracks and crevices, paying close attention to the areas where your utility pipes enter the home.
 
 
Contact a Professional
 
If you don’t have the proper training or equipment to deal with an ant infestation you may be looking at an uphill battle. And if an ant infestation isn’t taken care of as soon as possible they grow to unsightly numbers making the infestation that much worse. Sometimes you can do all of the methods listed above and it’s just not enough you may need professional guidance.