As the weather starts to heat up and wildlife begins to wake up, it’s best to be prepared for anything that may try to invade your home.

Nearly everyone and everything enjoys the spring weather, but there is one creature that can definitely ruin the experience.

The phrase “ants at a picnic” exists for a reason, but it turns out there are worse things — like ants in your home. Don’t worry; there are ways to keep these tiny creepy crawlies out of your home and yard.

Here are seven quick tips on how to get rid of ants from your kitchen to your yard.

1. Track Them Down: Find Out Where They Are Coming From

If you do discover some tiny segmented invaders in your pantry or kitchen, the first thing you should do is find out how they got in. Check areas ants frequent or places they might appear.

Watch where they go and try to see where these little pests are coming from. Some common areas you will find ants include damp areas, like under sinks. Soft spongey areas beneath plumbing or leaks can be a draw. Check out these fuze bug reviews.

Check the framing and flooring, especially around windows, doors, and vents. Other areas besides kitchens ants frequent include attics, bathrooms, and walls. Do some recon and find out where these pests are coming in so you can seal up any possible openings.

2. Erase Ant Trails

Maybe you’ve only spotted one ant. Well, be wary; a single ant is usually sent out to scout. If you see one, don’t panic. However, if you do spot one invader, there are bound to be others.

Stop them from casing the place by shutting down the scout teams. Ants typically leave behind a trail for other ants to follow. To put an end to this, you’ll need to create a solution to erase it completely.

Creating a solution is simple. Mix one-part vinegar with three parts water and you have a safe, non-toxic way to erase ant trails.

3. Baits and Traps

Unfortunately, it may be too late to cut-off the scout team. Don’t worry; there are other methods you can use to stop them. One easy solution is using baits and traps.

These over-the-counter killers are usually sold in small containers that you can place just about anywhere. Since they are sealed, they are less dangerous than sprays. However, it’s a good idea to keep them out of reach from animals and children.

You can stick these little traps wherever you see activity:

• Cabinets
• Countertops
• Dinks
• Under the stove
• Drains
• Pipes and cables
• Bathrooms
• Medicine cabinets

If you are using traps, the ants will go inside and won’t come back out. If you are trying out the bait, resist the urge to squash. Ants will take the bait back to their colonies and destroy it from within. Either method can be effective in getting rid of these pests for good.

4. Keep Things Clean

When ants work their way inside your home, they are on the lookout for one thing: food. The best thing you can do is make sure they aren’t robbing your pantry blind. After meals and cooking, clean things as thoroughly as possible. Wipe counters and floors down, and wash dishes regularly.

Store your food, including pet food, in sealed containers. Try not to leave any uneaten food out and keep meals contained in one or two rooms. If you cut off their food source, the ants will look elsewhere for their free meals.

 

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 at 12:46 am