How Do Ants Enter My Home?

Ant infestations seem to appear overnight, but they can take weeks to get rid of without a professional’s help. To keep ants out of your home, it’s important to understand how ants are getting inside in the first place. To help you avoid the stress and frustration of an ant infestation, the experts at Pest Control Inc. have put together a list of ways ants are entering your home and what you can do to keep them out – for good:

• Tiny cracks and crevices.  Ants are extremely small, so they can enter your home through the tiniest cracks or holes. Regularly inspect your home for these small openings and seal them with caulk. Some places to check include your foundation, along doors and windows, and near any plumbing or electrical equipment. 
• Inside floorboards. Ants often make routes beneath carpets, tile, and hardwood floors. This can be a tricky problem to solve, as you may not be able to identify their exact entry points. The best way to keep ants from crawling beneath your floor is to remove any easily accessible food, as they will leave if they cannot find anything to eat. Regularly sweeping and quickly cleaning up any spills or crumbs can prevent ants on the floor.
• Near plumbing leaks. Ants need moisture to survive, so they are drawn to high-moisture areas. That is part of why kitchens and bathrooms are common places for ant infestations. To avoid an ant infestation due to moisture problems, be sure to fix any leaky pipes that could be attracting ants.
• Pheromone trails. If an ant finds a place with ample access to food and water, they will leave behind a pheromone trail to invite the colony to follow them. This is another problem that can be tough to solve, as we cannot detect pheromone trails on our own. To avoid this problem, keep your home free from anything that may attract ants. 

How to Prevent Ants

Knowing how ants are getting inside is the first step to preventing an infestation. However, it’s also important to know exactly what you should do to keep ants out. Here are some of the best ways to keep ants out:

• Seal off potential entry points
• Properly store food in airtight containers
• Dispose of trash in lidded bins
• Clean up spills or crumbs immediately
• Fix leaky pipes and moisture problems

If you have tried all of these tips and are still struggling with ants in your home, it may be time to call in a professional. The experts at Pest Control Inc have proudly served homeowners throughout Las Vegas NV for over 20 years, and we offer 24-hour emergency support to ensure you are always taken care of. To get rid of your ants once and for all, call us today and get a free estimate!