Ants Invading Your House – Here’s What To Do?
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Many Americans deal with ants invading their homes every year. If you or someone you know has experienced this, there is no need for embarrassment or panic. No matter what type of house you live in or where you are located, there are most likely ants near you that will find their way into your house. There are many ants invading California, and the problem gets worse every year as colonies continue to evolve and develop.
Common Ants in California
If you are a resident of California, this portion should be of great importance to you. Below are three of the most common Californian ant species, their habits, and tips to identify them.
Argentine Ants
These ants are small, measuring at about a ⅛ of an inch. They are usually light to dark brown and can be distinguished from other ants by their single node between the thorax and abdomen. These ants often go unnoticed because they do not bite or sting like other ants. This ant often manifests in your backyard, most commonly in potted plants or walkway bricks or stones.
Odorous House Ants
These ants range from 1/16 to ⅛ of an inch long. Like their name, these ants are characterized by the smell they give off when crushed. The odor is often compared to a rotten, coconut-like smell. They feed off of sweet foods and, because of this, are found near moisture surfaces. They can also be found outside in exposed soil or under a pile of firewood. They tend to move their nests every three months or so in response to changing weather.
Carpenter Ants
These are some of the biggest types of common ants found in California. They range from ⅜ to ½ inches long. They are black or red. They invade your home most often through windows, behind tiles, under roofing, and around bathtubs, sinks, showers, or dishwashers. Outside, they may be found in any type of decaying wood, buried in the ground, or any place where wood touches the foundation of a home.
Identifying An Invading Ant Infestation
Signs of an Infestation
Very often, you may just be able to see ants in your home. When they are outside your home, however, it’s important to see if they seem to be following a trail. If so, they are likely manifesting in or around your home. Carpenter ants specifically create nests in wooden galleries, so they leave sawdust or wood shavings behind. Observe closely for these findings, especially near wood beams, flooring, and furniture. When these ants excavate, they weaken and unstabilize the wood. Keep an eye out for hollow wooden surfaces. Tap on the wooden surfaces of your home and listen for a hollow sound. Look for signs of deterioration of wood, such as crumbling or soft spots. Outside of your home, you can look for ant piles and their nests.
Seasons Most at Risk
Ants are diurnal, meaning some are most active during the day and some are most active during the night. This just depends on the species. Ants can thrive all year long, making them a constant headache in or around your property. However, March through October is usually the most active and saturated season for most ant species.
Immediate Actions to Take
Cleaning up Food Sources
Especially during the summer, many ants will find their way into your home through the kitchen. This is because they can smell and sense the food around them. Clean your kitchen regularly, emphasizing spills or crumbs left behind on your table or countertops. Do not leave your garbage or dirty dishes around, minimizing their food sources.
Sealing up Entry Points
Seal up any entry points around your home, such as windows, doors, and foundations. A lesser-known tactic is baiting the ants where you commonly see them.
Using Bait to Catch and Poison Them
Set out honey, proteins, fried food, and peanut butter to see which ones the ants pine after the most. Once you know this, you can buy a specific ant bait that caters to these tastes and will attract these ants but will poison them once they come into contact.
Natural Remedies for Ant Control
You may be wary of traditional pesticides, especially if you have children or pets in your home. Here are some natural remedies that are completely safe for humans. While not as effective for larger-scale colonies, vinegar may be a great solution if you are just seeing ants here and there. This works because vinegar has cleaning properties that will kill the ants you are seeing. The smell also eliminates the pheromones the ants leave behind, which will make the ants unable to signal food to the rest of the colony. You should put the vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the affected areas, then wipe it up with a towel or cloth.Certain essential oils are also toxic to ants and will kill them. Peppermint, tea tree, and cinnamon oil work by erasing the pheromones the ants use to communicate. These oils also contain strong irritants, such as alcohol and menthol. When trying this method, it is important to be thorough and spray all entry points. Because the oils evaporate quickly, you will need to reapply every week or so as well.
Long-term Prevention Strategies
If you have either beaten an ant infestation or want to make efforts to avoid one in the first place, there are some regular actions you can take as prevention. Keep your home clean, especially in the kitchen. Regularly clean up garbage, food, and dishes that may serve as food for these colonies. Go through your home often get rid of piles of items, and keep your belongings in a designated and enclosed spot. Maintain your yard by regularly mowing tall grass and trimming away unwanted weeds or plants around your home. Keep debris such as working materials or wood away from your home.
When to Seek Professional Help
Ants are persistent creatures, and sometimes they will persevere despite your best efforts. The most proactive thing you can do in this situation is to know when to ask for help. If you have tried to control an infestation yourself yet are still seeing a severe amount of ants, this is a time to contact a pest control service. When you recognize structural damage to or around your home, such as hollowing or soft wood as mentioned earlier. It is especially important to contact professional assistance before more damage occurs. This is most prevalent for carpenter ants. Anytime where you are still noticing signs of ants, yet you have made efforts to deter them, it is best to contact a professional before your issue becomes too severe. When in doubt, do not hesitate to contact a professional and ask for a quote or consult. It is always better to be more proactive than too little proactive.
Key Takeaways
Ants Invading your space can be a nuisance to everybody, regardless of your home or location. You do not need to fall helplessly victim to these creatures and there are measures you can take to ensure they do not manifest in your place of residence. With this information, you should be able to spot an ant infestation, identify some common species in California, and tackle the issue either with a traditional or more natural approach. When in doubt or concern, contact a pest control agency to tackle the issue professionally.
