Ants: they’re everywhere! In fact, there are more ants than there are humans – billions more! Most of the time, we are thankful for the ants in the world; they function much like spiders, killing the vermin that are far more unhealthy for us to have in our lives. Ants kill real pests like fleas and bedbugs, which is great for you and your pets, but they still can be quite annoying, especially when they start sending out scouts and, soon, marching in lines across your floor, your desk, your countertop, and so on.
They are searching for food, and inevitably they will find it in your home. So what are you to do about the relentless insect machine invading your home?
1. Deterrence
The best way to deal with ants is to never really have to deal with them in the first place. They are, after all, notoriously difficult to get rid of, and some of the solutions to ants that are in your home can be quite annoying and even expensive. Keeping them out in the first place solves all those problems and more! You can do this by barricading the cracks and other entrances that ants would use to enter your home, using wood. Caulk can be used to seal cracks and other entrances for ants, while substances that ants dislike – such as talc – can line the entrances to also deter the ants.
2. Murder Most Foul
Okay, so you couldn’t deter the ants from entering – they’re here, they’re hungry, get used to it. Well, you don’t have to; you can – dun dun dun! – kill them! Extermination is the most common way to be rid of ants, and it can be done fairly easily. You can kill off the ant trail using soapy water, or a bleach solution. Having sealed the entrance, the line will scatter, break, and ne’er be followed up on thanks to your other deterrence methods. Vacuums, rooting, and even fumigation are other options.
3. Strike at the Source
The ants are coming from somewhere: an ant hill. The ant hill leads to the ant nest, where ants are born, live, and die. The ants entering your home come from a nest, and there are a variety of ways you can destroy the nest. However, this is not a recommended option; as previously mentioned, ants serve an important function in the environment. If you run around killing them en masse, you will find that your ecology is imbalanced and other insects – like fleas and bugs, far more annoying critters indeed! – will become a problem for you.
4. Stay Clean!
Of course, the best way to deter ants from entering your home is to simply make it a place that doesn’t interest them! Keep all food fresh and sealed, keep all surfaces wiped down, vacuum regularly, keep pet food and water in large bowls that are hard for ants to cross, and in general just be clean and thoughtful about your home’s hygiene and care.
That’s all you need to have a home free of ants! Deterrence and cleanliness are the cheapest, most effective, and easiest ways to deal with ants that does not negatively impact your environment. Really, is there any more that you need to hear? We didn’t think so! So get out there and get cleaning!
+Ken Uhrich likes a clean, bug-free home, just like you! He regularly blogs and gives home improvement tips on the Custom Home Group website.