Ants
Are ants driving you crazy? Do you feel like you are the only one with an ant problem? Well rest assured that you are not alone. The most commonly reported pests in the United States; ants are the root cause of a variety of different household issues.
Enticed indoors by opened food products, sugary substances, and even dead insects, these opportunistic insects can squeeze in through any available crack. Within only a short span of time, a small population of ants can become a flourishing colony. For this reason, action should be taken immediately if the beginning stages of a colony are found.
An ant infestation can infect many different household functions depending on the species. There are thousands of different species of ants worldwide, but the four most common in the United States are the carpenter ants, the red imported fire ants, the pavement ants, and the pharaoh ants. Each has their own niche in ant society, and each is harmful in its own special way.
In addition to maintaining a regular pest control schedule, there are several tips to help reduce the chance of ants invading your home:
- Put food in airtight containers. It’s definitely worth the initial price on good storage containers.
- Wipe down all surfaces. Tables and countertops should be regularly sprayed and cleaned with a mild bleach or vinegar solution.
- Keep the sink clean. Avoid leaving dirty dishes and standing water for ants to drink and do not put food in the drain. Remove all in-sink disposal scraps as soon as added.
- Put pet food bowls in a slightly larger bowl. Add some water to the larger bowl, creating a moat around the pet food that the ants can’t easily cross. Refill regularly.
