The sudden appearance of ants in the home can be very frustrating, and it can become a persistent problem.
Understanding why these invaders are drawn to your living space is the first step in effectively preventing them from returning.
A guide by pest control exert Jonathan Nichols at HomeHow.co.uk delves into the reasons behind the increased ant activity as the weather warms up and offers some practical advice on identifying their entry points.
Met Eireann has stated that temperatures in early and mid-April could be up to 10 degrees higher than normal for that time of year.
Nichols shared how to eliminate existing scent trails, seal potential entry points and maintain a clean environment to discourage ants from coming into your home in the first place.
Whether you are dealing with a minor ant issue or a persistent infestation, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the strategies for keeping your home ant-free.
How to Make a DIY Ant Trap
- What you will need:
- Powdered sugar
- Baking soda
- Jar lids (or a similar small container for holding bait)
Combine 2 teaspoons of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar. Mix the two together. Ants can't differentiate between baking soda and powdered sugar as they are both similar in size.
Powdered sugar will attract the ants, and baking soda will kill the ants. The baking soda reacts with the acid in the ants' digestive system, and this is what kills them.
Place them in the jar lids and leave these in strategic locations (places where you see ants frequently). If you don't have jar lids, you can place this mixture directly onto any surface where you see the ants. However, you need to be aware that it is a very light powder, so it could blow away if there is a draft.
Leave the bait traps in place for a few days, and you should notice that the number of ants that you see around has decreased significantly. If the ant bait traps become quite full, empty them and replace them with a new powdered sugar and baking soda mixture. Repeat this process until you stop seeing any ants.
How Do You Identify Where The Ants Are Coming From?
The ant's scent trail will usually lead from a gap or crack in the floor or wall. Other entry points can include unsealed holes in the exterior, vents or plumbing entry points.
The ant trail will usually continue in a fairly straight line towards a source of food.
The easiest way to find the ant's scent trail is by watching where the ants are travelling.
They will very rarely break away from the line. This line of ants will mark the pathway to the scent trail. If you follow this line, it will lead you straight to the food source on one end of the trail and the entry point to your home on the other end.
What’s The Easiest Ways to Get Rid of Ants in The Home?
The first step in getting rid of ants from your home is to find out what is attracting them in the first place. It could be something as simple as a stray dirty spoon in the sink or a sticky bit of jam on a jar.
No matter what it is, there is always a source. Start by cleaning up whatever is attracting the ants. If you're lucky, they may simply move out on their own.
Ants work together in teams and search for food sources using pheromones. These pheromones leave a trail for other ants to follow. So, simply sweeping away the ants won't be effective, as the pheromone trail will still be there.
Instead, you will need to completely destroy the trail. You can do this by mixing together one part vinegar with three parts water and spraying this mixture directly onto any space where you've seen the ants.
It's quite easy to naturally repel ants from your property. Ants hate the smell of peppermint and lavender.
Mix a solution of either peppermint oil or lavender oil together with water and spray the mixture on and around any entry points, such as around doors and windows.
Alternatively, you can use a chemical solution to get rid of ants. However, these can be harmful to children and pets, so it is important that you're careful when using these products.
Always make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label whenever you use any chemical deterrents.
It's also a good idea to seal all of the entry points to prevent the ants from coming back. This means you may need to caulk and seal any exposed cracks or crevices around doors and windows or other parts of the home.
Black garden ants are the most likely type of ants to invade homes in the UK. These ants are particularly attracted to sweet things. With this in mind, you must ensure that all food, especially food on the sweeter side, such as honey, syrup, and sugar, is kept in airtight containers or tightly wrapped up with plastic wrap or foil.
If you want to make sure the ants stay away, it is important that you regularly clean your countertops, floors, pantries, and cabinets, as this is where spills, stray food pieces, and crumbs are most likely to be lurking. It is also very important to keep your pet's food stored away properly in between feeding times and make sure to regularly clean your pet's bowls.
You need to make sure you empty your rubbish bins (particularly the kitchen bin) on a regular basis. The bins in your home should always be covered properly.
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