Ant infestation is a common problem among many homeowners. Once these little foragers get into your home, they’ll huddle over any crumb or spill and eventually find their way into your food supplies. Some people put off calling pest control for their ant problem because they underestimate the hazards that these insects bring. They'll destroy wooden structures in your home while others have a painful bite that can trigger an allergic reaction or spread disease like dysentery. 

What Causes Ants to Infest A Home?

Ants generally build their nest outdoors, but they will forage in kitchens and other indoor spaces, taking food scraps back to their colonies. While most ants can extract water from food, some satisfy their thirst in moist areas in your home, like kitchen sinks, under bathroom tiles, or near water leaks. Once they discover ample food and water inside, they make a chemical trail from the source to their nest. At this point, you may need pest control to get rid of them.

How Can You Prevent Ants From Entering Your Home?

Cut Their Access to Food

Don’t leave spills uncleaned or leftovers lying around the kitchen. Ants are attracted to sweet foods and beverages, so be sure to keep these items inside sealed containers or the fridge. Keep in mind that even though some species of ants won’t eat through the skin of unpeeled fruit like oranges or bananas, the smell of the fruits and the sap will attract them nonetheless. As such, it's best to keep your fruit covered so ants can’t reach them.

Seal any Potential Cracks

From their shelter outdoors, these foragers will enter your home through the cracks or gaps in the walls. You can prevent them from coming inside your home by sealing or caulking these crevices. Also, make sure to check outlets, electric lines, and plumbing to see if any holes may accommodate them.

Treat Retrieved Outdoor Items

Ants are resourceful creatures and can get into your home in ways that you might not consider. One such method is by latching on to outdoor items you bring inside. For instance, hollow toys or even shoes you bring indoors could have ants hiding in them if they were sitting outside for a long time.

They also love to nest in potted plants as well since these provide a good source of water and shade. Before bringing potted plants indoors, check them thoroughly for ants infestation and treat them with a pesticide if necessary.

Whenever clients in St. Louis, St. Charles and Lincoln Counties need pest control services, they turn to Vogelsang Pest Management. This company has a team of experts with extensive experience in commercial and residential pest control. From ant and termite treatment and mosquito control to wildlife removal, they can do the job. They also work with customers to plan preventive measures to make sure that pests won’t return. Call (314) 601-1789 or visit their website for more information about their services.