When ants get into your home, they can be very annoying. While ants can be a mere 1/64 of an inch in length, some come in by the hundreds, and some by the thousands. Some ants can be as large as ⅝ of an inch long. It doesn't take much of those to drive you crazy. So, how does ant pest control in Mooresville work? What is needed to get ants out of your home and keep them out? This is our subject today.
We're going to tell you how to detect ant problems in Mooresville, how to get rid of an ant infestation, how to keep ants out of your house, and what Lake Norman Home Services technicians do to control ants. How does that sound? Great! Here's what you need to know.
Common Signs Of Ants In Your Home
The obvious sign that you have an ant problem is actually seeing ants, but some ants are nocturnal. One nocturnal ant that you should be aware of is the black carpenter ant. If you have black carpenter ants in your home, they can damage your property without you knowing it. While this damage isn't going to be extensive, and it won't happen overnight, it is best to catch black carpenter ants in your home as early as possible.
Look for changes to the wood of your home.
Look for carpenter ant frass.
Be on the lookout for large, black, flying ants. Winged carpenter ants can be around an inch long.
Inspect your landscaping for worker ants. Black carpenter ants are attracted to vegetation that has aphids or some other honeydew-producing insect.
The other ants that get into your home won't damage your property but they can make you feel ill. This is because they can get into the trash and other dirty places before they climb on counters or get into your food.
Look for soil near cracks in your home. This is an indication of an indoor nest.
Look for mounds near your foundation wall.
The first step in any pest control program is a quality inspection. If you need assistance locating or identifying ants, you can reach out to us here at Lake Norman Home Services for quality service.
Ways You Can Get Rid Of Ants
In most cases, you're probably going to see ants and you'll want to know how to get rid of an ant infestation in your home. The secret to ant control for homeowners is understanding why ants come in and how ants communicate.
Remove food sources. These are why ants come in. They'll feed on food debris, leftovers on dishes, juice stains under the fridge, etc.
Clean floors and surfaces. Ants leave chemical pheromones when they find food. Pheromones are how ants communicate, and these invisible chemicals need to be cleaned up in order to stop ants from getting in.
These two steps are often all that is needed. Ant control for homeowners isn't always difficult.
Five Ant Prevention Tips
Now that you've gotten ants out, let's look at how to keep ants out of your house with some ant prevention tips.
1. Seal entry points. This helps to prevent ants from getting in.
2. Manage trash. Keep trash in covered containers and deodorize containers that have a smell.
3. Remove leaves. Leaf litter and leaf piles provide an ideal habitat.
4. Remove wood. Scrap wood, firewood, construction materials, stumps, logs, and other wood sources can attract ants.
5. Eliminate sources of water. Ants need to drink.
If you use these steps in conjunction with our two ant control suggestions, you may reduce ant activity below your threshold of comfort. If you want the best possible control or you need outdoor ant control to prevent indoor problems, it is best to contact Lake Norman Home Services.
Professional Ant Control Is Best
At Lake Norman Home Services, we target ant colonies in your yard and eliminate them. Outdoor ant control is the best way to arrest indoor infestations and prevent future infestations. We also perform indoor treatments as necessary. Reach out today to get started with reliable ant control in Mooresville.