Ants may seem harmless beings, but as a collective, they have the potential to cause wide-ranging harm. These can range from structural damage to health risks to damage to the surrounding environment. Invasive ant species, such as fire ants, cause up to $6.7 billion in damage annually (Ant Pest Community of Practice).
An ant infestation can be hard to detect early on; often, it is too late before homeowners are able to identify one. For these reasons, people must know the specifics about ant infestations, the different types of ants, and the proven ways to get rid of ants on your property.
How to Get Rid of Ants: Identify the Type of Ants in Your Property
Not all ants are the same; there are differences between them, and this is important because specific ants can cause particular kinds of damage, but not all of them cause the same amount of damage.
Carpenter Ants are perhaps the most common ants found around homes. They are blackish and range in size from around ¼ to ¾ inch. Their diet consists of anything that humans also eat. They are known for their ability to burrow into wood and create intricate tunnels and nests that can cause damage to the structural integrity of your property. They establish these nests at different locations, such as tree stumps, hollow logs, wall voids, attics, or other large pieces of wood.
Another type of ants are pavement ants. Pavement ants range around ⅛ to ⅙ inch and are typically of blackish brown color. They set up nests in places such as cracks in pavement or under floors inside a house. Their food preferences are mainly sweet and greasy foods.
Finally, little black ants are a common household pest in Illinois. These tiny insects are known for their persistence and ability to infiltrate even the cleanest of homes. While they may seem harmless, little black ants can pose a significant threat, contaminating food sources and potentially spreading diseases.
It is also important to identify whether an ant infestation is actually occurring. Identifying one or two of these ants is not sufficient to determine if there is a bigger problem. A sign of such an infestation would be a small buildup of soil outside your house since ants use soil to help build their nests. Another sign could be tapping on wood surfaces to hear a hollow sound since this would indicate that there has been damage done. Finally, spotting a large ant colony is the clearest indication that ant infestation has occurred.
How to Get Rid of Ants in House Using Natural Remedies
One natural remedy is using a mixture of water and vinegar and spraying colonies and perimeter of your home as vinegar repels ants by disrupting their scent trail.
Baking soda and sugar mixed in equal parts is also a natural remedy to eliminate ants as ants are attracted to the sugar and carry it, along with baking soda, which then kills the ants. This can be applied to perimeter areas, such as sills and entrances.
Another natural repellant is lemon juice. Its acidic nature also disrupts the scent trails ants use. It can be used as a spray by mixing with water or freshly squeezed and applied to areas such as window sills.
Prevent Ant Infestations: Seal Entry Points and Eliminate Food Sources
Preventing infestations is the most effective method to keep your property ant free.
Sealing entry points and eliminating food sources effectively prevent an infestation. When it comes to sealing entry points, it is essential to identify any cracks or openings on the exterior of your house and determine whether they could be potential entry points. When looking for cracks or gaps, keep in mind that they are most likely to appear near doors or windows. When identifying these areas, using proper sealants such as silicone-based caulk is essential.
Eliminating food sources for ants is also another effective method since ants enter people’s homes to find food sources. Tasks such as cleaning up leftovers and ensuring there are no leftover crumbs to clean up after any liquid spills help eliminate potential food sources for ants.
How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants with Commercial Solutions
One commercial solution you can use is an ant bait station. Ant bait stations are essentially areas along ant trails where you can set any ant bait to help lure them away from home. These baits can also be mixed with insecticides, which can harm the ants.
Another way is to use insecticides on its own, such as diatomaceous earth, an insecticide that can be applied to ants at the nesting site. It causes dehydration and, therefore, kills them.
Hire an Ants Exterminator in Aurora for Guaranteed Results
It is essential, however, to emphasize the importance of seeking professional help if the infestation becomes too severe. If you are a resident of Aurora, IL, it is always best to find a professional service such as ant exterminators in Aurora if the infestation becomes too much.
Professional pest control services offer tailored solutions crafted by experts. They can determine the specific issue regarding your situation and use their expertise and the tools at their disposal to help you solve the issue.
If you use a pest control service for ant treatment, there are a few things you should expect. First, they will conduct a thorough inspection of your house, both inside and outside. They will look for various points of entry, the specific ant species present, and any potential food sources. Afterwards, they will create a tailor-made plan that could include setting up bait, using insecticides, etc.
It is important to understand the risky nature of an ant infestation and know what steps you can take to solve the issue if it arises and prevent it in the future. However, it is always better to consult professional pest control services whenever the infestation becomes a serious issue.
If you are looking for services that offer Ants Extermination Control in Aurora, Naperville & surrounding areas in Northern Illinois, feel free to contact Yosemite Pest and Rodent Solutions, Inc at (630) 779-7674.