No one wants to handle ant infestations, but it’s something most people will end up dealing with, especially if they’re homeowners. If you have an ant infestation or you’re getting over having one previously, there are a few things you might want to know before you move on. Consider this must-know information about ants in the house before you move on.
Facts About Ants
What are the most important things to know about the ants that may be invading your home? First off, there are two very popular types of ants in North America: fire ants and pavement ants.
Fire ants are easy to notice by their bright red color and extremely painful bite. All species of ants can bite humans, and their bites are varying degrees of pain. However, these ants tend to be more painful, thus the name.
Pavement ants are the small black ants that have probably invaded your picnic before. They tend to crawl through the cracks in pavement and other poured concrete, and they’ll typically only venture out around 30 feet from their home to find food and water.
The Most Popular Places for Ants to Hide
Where might you find ants in your home? Here are the three most common places for you to find ants if they’re coming inside.
- Kitchens
As you may already know, the kitchen is a very popular place for ants to find their way inside. This is largely because the kitchen is where you’re most likely to find food, which is what ants tend to be looking for. Sinks and dishwashers also mean that the kitchen has a steady flow of water, which ants are also looking for.
- Bathrooms
If the kitchen is popular for ants because of food, the bathroom is popular for ants because of water. Ants need water as much as any other living being, and it’s common for ants to show up in the bathroom because they’re looking for water. Plus, they may stay mostly out of eyesight, as leaks can occur inside cabinets and under counters.
- Basements
The last common place to find ants is in the basement. If you have a basement, you may know that cracks in the basement foundation can allow ants inside. They can burrow through the dirt, so if you have cracks underground, these ants can just root through the dirt from their home into yours, causing an infestation very easily.
Tips and Tricks to Prevent Ants Coming Inside
If you want to prevent ants from entering your home, there are a few tips you might want to follow. Most of these are pretty easy to implement, which is exactly why you should consider doing them if you aren’t already.
- Seal cracks and holes in walls and around entryways
- Caulk around AC and heating units
- Fix leaky pipes and faucets
- Seal food in airtight containers
- Wipe down kitchen counters after using them
- Empty your trash frequently directly to the garbage
- Don’t overwater indoor plants
- Replace outdoor mulch or pine straw with crushed stone or rock
- Stack home use firewood more than 20 feet away from your home
- Repair cracked pavement and foundations
Of course, if you have a serious structural issue inside your home that’s allowing ants inside, you’ll need to repair those first. However, this can be a good starting point.
Conclusion
There are lots of ways you can prevent ants from getting inside your home. However, if you have a structural issue, which may include cracked pavement outside your home or a cracked foundation under your home, you’ll need some more expert help. Make sure you talk to a foundation repair expert for help with these problems and institute the other tips and tricks for the best results.
