Ants invading your kitchen can quickly turn from a minor annoyance to a major headache. Not only can they contaminate your food, but they also seem to multiply at an alarming rate which can become a serious infestation if not dealt with immediately. If you’ve noticed an army of ants marching in some corner of your home, do not take it lightly. This could be a sign of a serious infestation or a start of one if you don’t deal with it immediately. Ants in the kitchen are a real inconvenience.
They can ruin your food supply, contaminating it to such an extent that you might have to replace it entirely. But don’t panic just yet. At Alpha Pest Control we are here to share with you some effective tips and strategies that will help you understand how to get rid of ants in the kitchen for good. We’ve put together this guide especially for you, to help you deal with these tiny troublemakers in a swift and easy manner. Let us begin.
Understanding Ant Behaviour
Before we start looking at the solutions, let’s take a moment to understand why ants are drawn to your kitchen in the first place. Ants are attracted to food sources, particularly those high in sugar, protein, and grease. Crumbs, spills, and even pet food can act as invitations for ants to make themselves at home in your kitchen. Additionally, ants leave behind scent trails that lead other ants to the food source, making it seem like they’re multiplying before your eyes. These reasons make it extremely important to deal with these small yet destructive pests before they disrupt your daily life.
How To Keep Ants at Bay
Now that we know why ants are drawn to the kitchen in the first place, let’s explore how to effectively eradicate them without excessive effort or trouble:
- Maintain Cleanliness: The first step you can take in order to eliminate ants in the kitchen is to keep it clean. Wiping down countertops, sweeping the floors, and promptly cleaning up any spills or stains is a good way to keep these pests at bay. Make sure to pay special attention to areas where food is prepared and stored, such as the stovetop, sink, and pantry. By removing potential food sources, you’ll make your kitchen less appealing to ants and be able to prevent their entry in the first place.
- Seal Entry Points: Ants can enter your home through even the smallest of gaps or holes. Regularly inspect your kitchen for any gaps in doors and windows and seal them effectively. Be sure to also check for gaps around baseboards and electrical outlets. By blocking off these entry points, you’ll prevent ants from finding their way into your kitchen in the first place.
- Use Natural Repellents: There are several natural substances that ants find repelling, making them effective deterrents. We have listed some of the most common and effective natural repellents for ants below:
– Vinegar: Mix equal parts vinegar and some water in a spray bottle and use it to clean surfaces where ants have been seen frequently. The strong odour of vinegar disrupts their scent trails, making it harder for them to find their way back.
– Lemon: The acidic scent of lemon can also deter ants. Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto cotton balls and place them near entry points or areas where ants are congregating.
– Peppermint oil: Ants dislike the smell of peppermint oil. All you need to do is mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water and spray it around the perimeter of your kitchen or directly onto ant trails.
- Set Traps: For existing ant infestations, setting traps can be an effective way to eliminate them. Commercial ant traps are readily available and typically come with a bit to help you attract the ants. Once the ants have taken the bait, they will take it back to their colony, where it can eliminate the entire population. If you are looking for an alternative, you can also make your own ant traps using a mixture of borax and sugar. Just place the traps near ant trails or where ants are entering your kitchen for best results.
- Practice Outdoor Ant Control: Preventing ants from entering your home in the first place is key to keeping them out of your kitchen. Trim back vegetation and remove debris from around the exterior of your home to eliminate potential nesting sites. Additionally, consider creating a barrier around your home using diatomaceous earth or cinnamon, both of which are natural ant repellents. Implementing these preventive measures will help you keep ants from entering in the first place.
At Alpha Pest Control, we know that dealing with ants in the kitchen can be frustrating, but with the correct methods, you can get rid of them for good. By maintaining cleanliness, sealing entry points, using natural repellents, setting traps, and practising outdoor ant control, you can keep these pests at bay and prevent future infestations. Remember, consistency is key – implementing these tactics regularly will help keep your kitchen and home free of ants.
If you are looking for a reliable pest control service to help you get rid of those ants and effectively pest-proof your home at the same time, give us a call. Our team of professionals is adept at dealing with all kinds of pests including ants. Here’s what you can expect when you call us:
- Effective eradication of ants.
- Complete disinfection and sanitisation.
- Efficient pest-proofing to help you avoid such incidents down the road.
- Quality services at pocket friendly prices.
- 24X7 availability and a customer satisfaction guarantee.
When dealing with a pest infestation of any kind, just give us a call and we’ll be sure to send a team of our best experts at your doorstep as soon as possible. We can assure you that we won’t leave until the problem has been fixed and you are satisfied with the result. So, why wait? Give us a call today and make a quick booking!