Mooresville's Step-By-Step Guide To Effective Ant Prevention

Ants are such a nuisance! One reason is that few people understand why ants have become a problem. If only there were an ant control expert somewhere in the world who could explain why ants behave the way they do, and why they get into Mooresville homes...hold on a minute. There is! Today, we're going to tell you what the ant experts here at Lake Norman Home Services have to say about nuisance ants. Here is our step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Ant Attractants

There is a reason the word "ants" can be found inside the word attractants—at least we think so. The attractants around your home are one of the primary reasons ants will get into your home.

Moisture

Water is needed by all creatures for survival. If you have puddles on the ground, vegetation with droplets of water, or containers that hold water, ants will find what they need to survive. Remove puddles by addressing oversaturation caused by clogged gutters, dense ground, and other conditions. Reduce moisture by trimming landscaping, removing weeds, and creating space between plants to allow proper airflow. Address containers by removing them.

Food

Ants can eat a wide range of food. One of the most desirable food sources for many ants is honeydew. When you address plant-damaging insects, such as aphids, you can reduce ants. Addressing moisture will help with this, but you might need to have a licensed professional apply EPA-approved products to get control of aphids and the ants that eat the honeydew they produce.

Habitation

Ants live under leaf piles, woodpiles, stacked sticks, and other organic debris. Remove this debris to reduce ants. It also helps to remove lawn clutter. Any objects that block the sunlight can create dark, damp areas of habitation underneath.

Step 2: Exclusion

Every tiny little gap in your exterior can let ants into your Mooresville home. While it is impossible to seal them all, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Fewer entry points will result in a lower chance of infestation. Exclusion also includes removing pathways. Here are our best tips.

• Seal cracks in foundation walls.
• Seal gaps around wires, wire conduits, pipes, and other foundation penetrations.
• Install weep hole protectors.
• Repair rotting wood or fill in holes created by wood-destroying pests.
• Replace weatherstripping and door sweeps that are damaged.
• Replace or repair damaged screens.
• Trim landscape vegetation away from your exterior walls.
• Trim bushes, shrubs and trees that touch your exterior walls or roofline.

Step 3: Resistance

Despite what you may have learned from the Star Trek franchise, resistance isn't futile. When you take the time to remove attractants inside your home, you can actually get control of ants. Ants sometimes get into your home because they find food and water. Some ant species will create a nest inside your home once they've found these resources. But, whether ants create a nest, or come into your home repeatedly, removing food and water sources can have an impact.

• Clean your floors, counters, and surfaces.
• Vacuum routinely.
• Clean spills up immediately.
• Put dirty dishes in soapy water.
• Put pet food down only during mealtimes and never overnight.
• Consider only eating in the dining room or kitchen.
• Store pantry foods in sealed glass or plastic containers.
• Clean food shelves and food-storage cabinets.
• Throw food away that is past its due date.
• Keep your trash in a covered container.
• Keep your trash container clean.
• Remove trash frequently to avoid having rotting organic material in your home.
• Never place bagged trash on the floor. Juices can create a wet spot or organic decay.

Step 4: Control

If ant pressures are high, you may need to target the ant colonies. This is best done by a licensed pest management technician. The ant species needs to be identified and proper treatment options must be selected and applied. If you attempt to get control of ants on your own, you could make your problem worse. Some colonies will bud in response to a threat.