Take Away Their Food

Pests are like any other animal: they need food to survive and thrive. One of the biggest reasons why ants come into your house in the first place is to find something to eat. If you provide food for them, they’ll keep coming back—and in greater numbers. So, if you want to take care of an ant problem, eliminate their food source. The best way to do this is to clean your home. This doesn’t mean an occasional wipe-down or sweeping of the kitchen. You must clean thoroughly every day. Sweep and mop the kitchen and bathroom floors. Vacuum your carpets. Scrub all surfaces, especially in the kitchen. Keep food secured in containers. If you can keep crumbs and other bits of food out of your house, ants won’t come in.

Take Away Their Water

Also, you need to make sure there isn’t anything for these little creatures to drink. This is particularly important to do overnight when you retire to bed for the day. Ants will head to pet dishes, dishcloths and towels, and dripping faucets. Take care of these issues before you go to sleep. Also, check for any leaky pipes or other plumbing problems. It is even helpful to dry out the sink at the end of the day. If there is no available water for the ants, they will leave and look elsewhere for a water source.

Trap Them

If your ant problem persists, it may be time to take another approach. Your local grocery or home improvement store has several options for addressing an ant invasion. Ant traps will stop these insects where they stand and walk. These can be sticky strips or small containers of sticky material to keep the creatures from moving about your home. Place them in areas where you have seen ants. These spots may include in the corners of your home, under appliances and furniture, and under sinks.

Sprays and Baits

Another option for killing ants is to purchase store-bought sprays. These come in different varieties, but the ideas are the same: kill the ants right away. The sprays contain a potent poison that eliminates the insects immediately. Make sure you follow the directions on the product, including how far away to point the sprayer from the ant. Keep it out of reach of children. It may even help to spray the product on any ants you see outside your home to prevent them from coming inside in the first place. For those of you looking for a pet-safe alternative, there are several products on the market that are specifically formulated to be pet-friendly.

For those pesky ants that multiply and spread when sprayed, you will need to use ant baits. There are different types of ant baits so make sure you buy the ant bait that is best for your particular ant problem.

Seal Entry Points

For something so small, it doesn’t take much for an ant to find its way into your house. The tiniest openings will allow the pests inside to join you. It is difficult to bar entry for ants, but you can do your part by sealing holes and cracks. Place caulk around doorways and windows. You can also use copper mesh to close off openings where pipes and wires go into the home.

It can be embarrassing and upsetting to see ants crawling in your home. Begin by implementing some do-it-yourself methods, including preventive measures. Other tactics can be effective, too, in eliminating these unwanted guests. You should not have to share your home with ants. If you have a problem in your home with these creatures, do not wait any longer to do something about it.