What You Need To Know About Ants In Your Home
Did you know that Australia plays host to more than 1,200 species of ants? The little critters are everywhere, in every environment, and that means they’re a common pest around Toowoomba’s homes and businesses. While a minor ant infestation is more of an annoyance than anything, unchecked ant problems can lead to spoiled food, health issues and even structural property damage.
Dealing with ant infestations can be a challenge. Depending on the species of ants you’re struggling with, it can be hard to develop a pest control plan that keeps them out of your house once and for all. To help you keep your ant problems under control, we’re going to discuss the things you need to know about ants in your home.
What Causes Ant Infestations?
There can be lots of causes of ant infestations, and you won’t always be able to prevent them from getting into your home.
Like other pests, ants are attracted to the large amount of food and drinks you have inside. As they go in search of food, ants will be able to find any crumbs, spills or things that you left out on the kitchen bench. As soon as they locate a good source of food, they return home to let the rest of the colony know what they found. Before you know it, a stream of ants is marching across your kitchen floor and making themselves at home.
The weather is the other major contributor to ant infestations. Like other creatures, ants like to make their nests in places that are warm, dry and have a convenient supply of water. Hot summer weather can spur ants into a hunt for water, and rainy periods can drive ants inside your home in search of shelter. Left unchecked, they’ll begin to form nests, often inside wall and roof cavities where they’re hard to deal with.
Can Ants Damage My Home?
Just like termites, common species of ants can cause damage to your home if they’re allowed to nest inside the property. While most types of ants won’t cause structural damage, a few different species are capable of chewing through wood and plaster, turning the walls of your home into their nest. Ants can also cause other types of damage. In their search for food, they’re likely to make their way into your pantry. Ants are omnivores and will eat almost anything, which means they’re likely to infest and spoil any containers of food they can find. By the time an infestation is a major problem, ants can be causing thousands of dollars of damage to your property and pantry supplies.
Tips for Preventing Ant Infestations
You won’t always be able to prevent ant infestations. Tiny and relentless, ants are always hunting for food and safe nesting areas, and they’re more than happy to take up residence in your home. But, there are a few things you can do to minimise the risk of ant infestations:
- Clean up the perimeter of your buildings, removing any leaves, debris or long grass
- Remove any tree branches that hang over your roof
- Keep crumbs, spills and food mess to a minimum
- Fix leaking pipes, taps and gutters
- Seal up any gaps around your windows and doors
- Have foundation cracks professionally repaired
- Use products such as ant mesh when building new
The best way to prevent ant infestations is to invest in professional pest control products. While you can find over-the-counter products, ants will have no trouble finding their way through any gaps in coverage. A professional pest control solution will do a far better job of removing ants from your home and preventing future infestations from occurring.
Struggling to Get Rid of an Ant Problem? Contact Pete’s Pest Control Today!
Pint-sized and capable of making their way into any residential or commercial property, ant infestations can quickly get out of hand if they aren’t dealt with properly. The pest control solution you’ll need depends on the severity of the infestation and the types of ants you’re dealing with. Pete’s Pest Control works all over Toowoomba, providing residential pest control services to help homeowners manage and prevent ant infestations on their property! The pest control solutions we design are tailored to meet your specific needs, ensuring the products we use have a longer lasting effect and keep your ant infestation in hand. Contact us today to find out more about our services or to make an appointment!