Here’s How You’re Attracting Ants Into Your Home

A Clean Home is an Ant-Free Home

The first step to preventing an ant infestation in your home is to make sure your house is not a safe-haven for them. Dirt and dust can attract ants but what they love is food. Make sure you store your food in airtight containers, don’t leave anything out. Dirty dishes shouldn’t be left in the sink, as ants love food and moisture. Lastly, make sure you’re taking out your trash every day. Letting trash pile up will attract scout ants to the smell, and they’ll bring their friends.

Getting the Ants Out

If you’ve got an ant infestation, you’ll first want to know how they’re getting into your house. Follow the ant trail to their point of entry so that you can seal it up. Use caulk, putty, glue or plaster to seal any point of entry ants are using. You can also seal up any cracks in doors or windows, ants are tiny and will use every possible opportunity to get into your home. You can also line entryways with salt or diatomaceous earth – these kill ants by sucking the moisture from their bodies. Be careful with using any ant poisons, as they can also be harmful to humans and pets.

Preventing Ants Outside The Home

Keep ants away from your home by minimizing their entry points. Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed back, and mulch 1-2 feet away from home. These provide protection from the ant colony, and sometimes a trail into the home. Identify and destroy any ant colony near your home; boiling water is an effective tool to use when getting rid of anthills.