Ants are one of the most common household pests and can enter your home for many reasons. It’s important to both understand them and take steps to keep them out, and the staff at Midstate Termite & Pest Control in Cookeville, TN, wants to help. By educating yourself and practicing healthy pest control habits, you can deal with any existing problems and protect your home from future infestations.

3 Tips to Keep Ants Out of Your House

1. Remove Food Sources

The number one reason ants enter your home is for food. Crumbs, trash, and open containers all invite them in, and with colonies ranging up to 1 million, there’s a significant potential for invasion. When ants find a food source, they leave a chemical pheromone trail behind them when they return to the colony. This makes returning easy. To combat this, always clean up food and keep things sealed tightly in your pantry. If you notice ants in your home, wipe down nearby areas with soapy water to remove their trail.

2. Get Rid of Moisture & Entry Points

Before ants enter your home, they’ll first establish a colony on your property. Moisture-rich areas such as dead trees and stumps, firewood, and rotten wood are all ideal. This is the perfect environment for many ants, and they’ll breed inside. Remove all of these potential nesting spots from your property, and trim overhanging branches or other plants touching your home exterior as these are easy entry points.

3. Schedule Regular Pest Control Inspections

To prevent ant entry, schedule a yearly inspection with pest control professionals. An exterminator can remove any existing pests and will spray your home to create a protective barrier around your home. They can also educate you on best practices to ensure you’re protecting your property.

If you’re dealing with rodents or pests, turn to the staff at Midstate Termite & Pest Control. They offer comprehensive removal services for spiders, rodents, bed bugs, and more, and they help homeowners protect their homes from future infestations. Call (877) 526-4222 today to schedule an appointment, and visit their website to learn more about their pest control services. Follow their Facebook page for images of their work around Tennessee.