The Homeowner’s Guide to Ant Pest Control

Ants are some of the most common household pests that can be found in every part of the planet from South America to Africa. The earth has around 12,000 different ant species. They have thrived, grown and adapted in a variety of surroundings. These pests are resourceful which helps them to survive in human habitats and urban spaces. Homeowners thus need to be aware of precautionary measures necessary for preventing ant colonies in their premises. This blog is a homeowner’s guide to ant pest control which can help homeowners experiencing ant infestation issues:

Ant species in Australia

• Carpenter ant – They are also known as wood-eating ants and are orange and black ants. They range from 3mm to 12mm in size.
• Fire ant – Fire ants are 2-6 mm in size and are known for their painful bites. Their head is copper coloured and base has a darker colour.
• Green ant – These ants are 5-7mm in size and have a green head. Their exoskeleton has a greenish colour too.
• Flying ant – These ant species have two pairs of small brown-coloured wings and a thin waist.
• Bull ant – Bull ants are also known for their painful bites. They have a black-coloured body with red patches on their abdomen.
• Argentine ant – These ants are dark brown in colour and are about 2.6 to 3.2mm long.
• Coastal brown ant – These ants can be identified with their big heads and are 1.5 -2.5 mm in size. They are golden brown in colour.

Signs of ant infestation

One should not ignore the initial signs of ant activity, as the infestation can take deeper roots in the property and also become even more challenging to handle. Mentioned ahead are some signs of ant infestation that one should not ignore:

• Active ants – Finding trails of active ants running on the walls, windowsills, doorframes, ledges, roofs, ceilings and attics is the strongest sign of an infestation.
• Pheromone trails – Ants leave pheromone trails for communicating with other ants. Following them can lead you to the ant nest and also help detect the access points used by them.
• Faint noises – Faint rustling noises coming from wall cavities, below flooring and other such places can also be an indication of ant activity.
• Sawdust – Sawdust and piles of wood near wooden furniture and structures also means there is an ant infestation in your premises.

You may prevent a terrible ant infestation from taking over your house by being aware of these symptoms and acting quickly to address them. Call in professional pest control at the earliest to get the quickest and most dependable ant control for your home so they can inspect your property and resolve the ant issue with an efficient removal plan.

Ant pest control methods

• Diatomaceous Earth – This is a chemical that is potent enough to kill any number of ant colonies in your residential or commercial property. This product targets the exoskeleton of the ant and then dehydrate its. It effectually kills ants thereafter. Scattering it on the access points and places near their nests can be highly beneficial in getting rid of ant nests and their population as soon as possible.
• Baits – Baits are available in home improvement or hardware stores that can be used for eliminating ant colonies from your premises. DIY baits can also be made at home using baking soda and sugar. Mix these 2 ingredients properly and keep them in a saucer or container. Keep it in areas that are attractive to ants. A honey and boric acid mixture also can be useful in killing ants and their armies.
• Boiling water and salt – Boil water and add salt to it. Pour this mixture on access points, cracks, crevices and areas surrounding ant nests to get rid of these pests effectively.
• Chemical pest control – Ant colonies can be eliminated by spraying dusts, granules, and ant sprays. These chemicals are directly sprayed on the ant colonies and nests for killing them. Spraying the ants that are active and found on surfaces on walls, windowsills, roofs, ceilings, ledges, door frames, patios can be helpful in eliminating them. Make sure that you read the instructions given with the products in detail before using them.
• Professional pest control – If the results are short-term or ineffective, you should opt for professional pest control services.

Preventative measures

Ants are pests that can survive anywhere. It is essential that you protect your home from these pests with the help of some simple preventative measures implemented around the property:

• Ants move through places that are dirty and that leads to bacteria, germs and viruses getting stuck to their body. They end up contaminating food and other surfaces. Hence, it is important to store food items in secure containers with tight lids.
• Clean out substance spillage from floors, cooking appliances, dining table, and other surfaces. Food crumbs remain stuck or lying on these surfaces and attract ants.
• Clean out pet bowls and containers they eat their meals from. Clean the place where the pets have their food. Any food crumbs strewn around in this place can also attract ants.
• Look for any overgrown shrubbery, plants, tree branches and vegetation in the garden as ants can nest inside the greenery too.
• Pick out and dispose any fruits that have fallen and decayed on the ground. Fruits lying around the ground can also draw ants and other pests.
• Do not leave out dishes after meals in the sink or on the dining table. Clear out the kitchen countertops every time you cook meals.

Ants are pests that are invasive and can contaminate food items making them unfit for consumption. They also damage wooden furniture if left untreated. Homeowners can use the above-provided guide to keep ant infestations in their property in check.

With the help of this guide you can protect your household and get rid of ants from your premises. Additionally, it is also essential that they opt for professional treatments and services offered by pest controllers at the earliest. It is possible to have a pest-free space by following some simple hygiene measures.