It’s that time of year again! No, not spring cleaning – ant season. April is a particularly bad month for ant infestations.
For homeowners in the Pacific Northwest, taking care of an ant infestation isn’t the worst pest control job, but it can be a tricky business. When attacking ants with an over-the-counter pest spray or other commercial product, you run the risk of irritating the nest and causing the infestation to spread.
Following are four essential steps to take when dealing with an ant infestation.
1. Identify the species.
There are many different species of ants, each with their own behaviors. The most effective pest control solutions are carefully targeted, so it’s important to figure out which type of ant has infested your home. If you have trouble identifying the species, contact a pest control professional for help.
2. Find out how they’re getting in.
One strategy for dealing with an ant infestation is to locate where they’re entering the home and use an ant repellent to keep them out. If you can follow the trail of ants back to their entry point, try sprinkling baking soda or cucumber peels around the area. Fresh mint, tea tree oil, chalk, lemon juice, grapefruit seed extract, garlic, cinnamon and other aromatic herbs can also double as pest solutions for ants.
3. Locate the nest.
Truly, an ant infestation cannot be effectively obliterated unless you eliminate the nest. This can often be achieved by the use of an ant bait pest solution, which the drones take back to their queen. If baits don’t do the trick, you may need the help of a pest control company to locate and destroy the nest.
4. Remove the attraction.
Ants are attracted to food supplies, and a large percentage of dirt and debris in the home is composed of particles. Make sure you sweep or vacuum regularly, and clean up any food messes as soon as they are made. Keeping a tidy kitchen is especially important during the spring months, as even the smallest food mess can attract ants.
5. Call a professional.
If you’ve tried all the at-home pest control treatments you can find and you still have an ant problem, call a professional. Professional ant removal is often a relatively simple and quick process.
If you have an ant problem around your home or property, contact the ant control specialists at Western Exterminator and get a treatment plan set up.
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