The summer brings so many wonderful things. From fun in the sun to vacations to no school for the kids, it is no wonder summer is the favorite season of many. Though perhaps unpleasant to think about, one of the more unfortunate things summer brings is ants. Many people experience them in and around their homes in the summer. Read on to see how to get rid of summer ants.
It’s That Time of Year Again
It is so frustrating to see ants swarming your home that you work hard to keep clean. Here are some tips to help you get rid of those pesky pests once and for all:
Know Your Ants
One of the most important first steps you can take in getting rid of ants is to know what type of ants are plaguing your home. The type of ant can help you further determine their nesting habits and how to most quickly eliminate them. A quick search on the internet or a note to your local university extension service will help you identify the type. Typical ant types include carpenter ants, fire ants, crazy ants, little black ants, among others.
Locate the Home Base
Once you have determined the type of ant, begin looking for the nest. Trailing ants can be quite challenging, but there are a few tell-tale signs of where the nest is located. The nest is typically located in damper areas, as they need moisture to live. Other things to look for include dead ants or potentially wood shavings. The latter could be a sign of carpenter ants. Looking for the nest can take some time and may even require a professional to support this effort.
Remove Potential Food Sources
One of the primary things that brings ants to a certain area of the home is a consistent and reliable food source that is accessible to them. Look out for ways you may be accidentally providing food to ants. Dog food on the floor, crumbs from a table or counter, or other sources could be causing the ant frenzy in your home. If you have these things or other food sources, work to minimize these, so as to not “feed the problem.”
Seal Your Home
Ants come in from the outside of the home, so it is important to look for potential entrances they have. Thes can frequently occur at utility lines and on windows and doors. These can easily be sealed with caulk from your local hardware store. Do ensure the caulk is performed on a day within the recommended temperature ranges on the caulk.
Spray the Ants You See
To kill the existing ants, you will likely need to spray some sort of compound on the ones you see and in the nest. Your local hardware store offers many options for ant killing compounds. For the homeowner preferring a more natural option, there are many DIY solutions available on the internet for you. Some of these DIY remedies include mixing one part white vinegar and one part water mixture or rubbing citrus peels around door and window frames.
Keep It Clean
In order to continue to deter the ants from coming inside, it is critical to keep the home clean, particularly on the floor and around windows and doors. Doing simple and routine chores, such as sweeping up food crumbs and regularly removing garbage will truly be your first defense against ants.
Cris’s Cleaning Services Can Help
Cris’s Cleaning Services can support you in your efforts to keep your home clean and free of ants. We are a locally owned and operated business that provides many homes with premium, professional cleaning services. Having served the Surprise community for ten years, you can be at ease knowing that Cris’s Cleaning Services has the experience to give you and your home the best. We care deeply for our customers and our collective community, which is why we are proud to do what we do each day.
Call Us Today
If you live in the Surprise, Arizona area and are looking for some extra support in keeping your house ant-free this summer, then give us a call today at (602) 574-3916. We’d love to speak to you about your cleaning goals and how we can partner with you to achieve them. Contact us today!
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