One thing that no one wants to think about is the possibility of an ant infestations. Many people feel like experiencing an ant infestation means they’re bad at cleaning the house or they’re somehow “dirty.” However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. You might just not know how to avoid ants in the home. With this information, you’ll be able to avoid ant infestations in the future.
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Facts About Ants
Learning a bit more about ants can help you be more effective in combatting them. For example, did you know there are more than 700 types of ants in the United States? You may have infestations of different types of ants, all requiring different strategies.
Remember that millions of ants can live in a colony. The reason you might have “recurring” ant infestations could actually just be that you’re getting infested with ants from the same colony over and over again. You need to make sure ants can’t get inside your home in the first place.
Where Do Ants Tend to Hide?
If you see ants in your home, they’re likely going to congregate around a few locations. These are the most common locations for homeowners to find ants.
- Kitchen
The kitchen is the most common place for people to find ants, and that’s usually because there’s plenty of food for ants to find in the kitchen. Even if you’re great at putting food away once you’re done with it, you may be missing small crumbs or have food in your cupboard that attracts ants.
- Bathroom
Even though the kitchen has a lot of food, ants also need plenty of water to survive. To find that water, they’ll often move to the bathroom. Your bathroom is very likely to have standing water — even just a few drops of water can be perfect for thirsty ants that are looking to get an extra drink.
- Basement
Potentially the biggest problem when it comes to ants is not recognizing the problem early on. That’s exactly why basements can become such a hotspot for ants. They can enter through cracks in your basement walls or foundation, then stay for a while if you don’t notice them.
Tips and Tricks for Avoiding Ants
With all this information, what can you do to make sure the ants don’t get inside in the first place? The good news is that it’s actually less complicated than it might seem at first. Here are just a few tips and tricks you can utilize.
- Seal cracks and holes in walls
- Ensure windows and doors have a tight seal
- Caulk around AC and heating units
- Fix leaky pipes and faucets
- Seal food in airtight containers
- Wipe down kitchen counters after use
- Use vinegar to keep ants away from areas
- Empty trash directly to the garbage
- Don’t overwater your indoor plants
- Stack firewood at least 20 feet away from your home
- Repair cracked pavement or basement foundations
These tips range from more easy DIY fixes that you can implement in seconds to more complicated fixes that may require the help of an expert. However, no matter which ones you choose to prioritize, they can all be very beneficial for your ant problem.
Conclusion
As you can see, avoiding ants doesn’t have to be as difficult as you probably think it would be. True, ant infestations can be a huge pain, and if you have a serious infestation, you should definitely contact an exterminator. However, they don’t have to be as frustrating as many people find them. With these tips and tricks, ranging from easy DIY options to more in-depth home fixes, you can make your home less appealing to ants.
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