Why do ants come inside my home? Why is the sky blue? These are always good questions.
It’s a fact of life; we all get the occasional ants inside our homes. But it is reasonable to ask what factors make it more likely to find ants inside.
Sure, keep your doors and windows secure, look for cracks which are an open invitation, but even with such vigilance, ants will sneak in. They are always foraging and seeking food or moisture. It is only natural that the will find morsels or moisture inside, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms.
“Ants have a sweet tooth, just like many of us, which leaves our kitchens particularly vulnerable to an infestation. In addition to the crumbs and spills we leave behind, our sinks provide a water source, which ants need to survive,” said Dr. Michael Bentley, an entomologist and director of training and education for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).
Ants Come Inside from the Weather, too
Two outside weather factors also motivate ants to come inside, just as it does for us humans. During dry spells, like winter in Florida, ants will sneak in for the moisture they can find around plumbing, faucets, and drains.
So, too, will they seek dry territory when the heavens unleash with downpours and thunderstorms. Floridians no very well about ants seeking to share shelter during a hurricane… and even the afternoon summer showers.
Even if ants are relatively harmless, no one cares to be in close quarters with a stream of ants or to harbor an indoor ant colony! So, here are a few ways to reduce the intrusions by taking preventative measures.
• Promptly clean up food spills before ants discover them
• Store ripe fruit in the fridge and all other food in airtight containers
• Clean out trash cans (inside and outside)
• Keep pet bowls clean and wipe up any spilled food/water around them
• Inspect indoor potted plants for any insect activity on a frequent basis
- Use some organic home remedies such as vinegar, baking soda, or boric acid to repel further traffic
That’s just focusing on what you can do indoors. Another important part of the process is making it harder for ants to get inside in the first place.
Of course, we talked about making sure that windows and doors seal as tight as possible. You can also look for gaps present in window framing and cracks in the building foundation.
Time to call a pest control professional?
If you have a persistent issue with ants, an increasing flow of ant traffic or a sudden infestation, that might be the time to call a professional. Our initial visit to any home includes a review of the current situation leading to a treatment plan. Let’s talk about how we can ease your mind and stop the flow of ants coming inside.