Ant control is trickier than it seems, especially if you don't know where your current infestation originates. Certain species prefer to live outside and enter your home to forage, while others will set up their nest in your home. The latter can be particularly troublesome, but thankfully, there are a few ant control measures you can take to prevent colonization indoors. Bug-A-Pest of Maineville, OH, has been the local solution for pest removal for the past 25 years, and they have some advice for anyone dealing with the persistent nuisance of ants. 

A Guide to Keeping Ant Colonies Out of Your Home

Locating the Colony Source

The first step you'll need to take for proper ant control is to locate the colony, which isn't terribly difficult with the right supplies. One of the most effective methods involves placing bait within small ant traps. You should see ants all over said trap, after which, they will march right back along their route to take the bait to the colony. 

While poisoned bait may do the trick in some situations, colonies will typically thrive as long as the queen remains. If you don't have any bait on hand, some of the common nest locations within the home include areas underneath concrete slabs, behind kitchen cabinets, and within rotted window frames, as well as the interior of foundation walls and other wall cavities. 

Keeping Your Home Ant-Free

Indoor colonization is a year-round occurrence, so there's no bad time to perform an inspection. If you're currently infestation-free, there are a few steps you can take to keep ants out of your home in the future. For starters, replace any rotted or water-damaged wood, and remove dead tree stumps and damp wood debris from your property. You should also trim tree branches so they don't touch your house, and correct any moisture issues as soon as possible. Finally, keep the interior of your home clean, especially when it comes to picking up crumbs and other small, attractive pieces of food. 

The more proactive you are with your own ant control methods, the less time you'll have to spend worrying about major infestations. Whether your pest control problems are as small as an ant or as large as a mouse, the experts at Bug-A-Pest will get rid of them efficiently. This locally owned company takes pride in their results and their dedication to the community, and they specialize in stopping problems before they get out of hand. Call them at (513) 459-7700 to schedule an appointment, and visit their website to learn more about their services.