Once the Midwestern summer heat has set in, ants usually aren’t far behind. The trickiest part of dealing with an ant infestation is figuring out which treatment to use. What works well for one type of ant infestation may not be effective for the other. Before you grab the nearest spray or bait, it helps to know what your options are and how they work. Here’s a breakdown of how to treat your home for ants:
Before You Start, Know Which Species You’re Dealing With
In the Midwest, the ants you’re most likely to find in or around your home are odorous house ants, pavement ants and carpenter ants. When it comes to ant treatment, identification matters more than you might think. For example, baits work well on species like odorous house ants and pavement ants because they’re attracted to the sweet substance, but they’re less effective on carpenter ants because they’re a bit pickier about their diet. Taking time to figure out which type of infestation you’re dealing with can save you a lot of time and money, and help you make sure the treatment you choose is effective.
Preventative Measures
The best way to protect your home from ants is to prevent them from invading in the first place. This means taking steps to make your home less appealing. Start by sealing cracks and gaps around your home to remove entry points. Fix humidity issues from leaking pipes or clogged gutters to take away water sources and humid conditions ants are drawn to. Trim back trees and shrubs in your yard to avoid giving them easy access points. Clean up crumbs and spills immediately, and store leftovers in airtight containers to remove food sources.
Baits
Baits are one of the most commonly used ant treatments out there, and you can usually find them at the store. They contain a sticky, sweet substance that works as a slow-acting poison. Ants carry this substance back to their colony, eventually killing it off. Baits are considered pretty effective because they eliminate the infestation at its source. Ant baits typically take a couple of weeks to fully eradicate an infestation, so patience is key.
Barrier Sprays
Barrier sprays create a perimeter around your home that prevents ants from crossing it, making them a solid option for keeping them out. They’re not as effective at treating an established, active colony since they don’t reach the nest itself. Barrier sprays are best used in combination with baits. As baits work to kill off the existing infestation, barrier sprays work to ensure no new ones establish. Be careful not to apply barrier sprays near your bait stations, as this will deter the ants from approaching the bait.
Natural Remedies
When it comes to natural remedies, each one functions a little differently. Use a mixture of borax and sugar to create a DIY ant bait to wipe out the entire colony. The sugar attracts the ants, and the borax acts as the poison. Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in areas where you’ve seen ants trailing to kill any remaining stragglers. Wipe down countertops, baseboards and other previously active areas with a mixture of water and vinegar to destroy their scent trails. Once you’ve effectively dealt with the infestation, use natural repellents, like essential oils and citrus sprays, near doorways, windows and cupboards to deter them from coming back.
Professional Ant Treatment
Of course, the most effective way to completely eliminate an ant infestation is to get ant treatment from a professional pest control company. Ants are notoriously hard to get rid of, and even with the most intentional preventative measures and DIY treatments, they can persevere. A pest control team has the knowledge and tools to identify the species, determine the extent of the infestation and effectively target the colony at its source. On top of that, they use exclusion techniques to prevent future infestations.
Have ants taken up shelter in your home? Contact Pro-Staff for expert Des Moines ant treatment you can count on! Call us at (515) 279-7378 or get a free quote today.
