How To Prevent Ants From Invading Your Home

Ants are creepy crawly bugs that can make humans crazy. There are several different species, from the larger carpenter ant (which can damage the wood around your home) to the tiny black ant that can multiply and take over your home in no time at all. Ants usually come into your home looking for food, water, and a place to call home. They hide in your walls, coming in through cracks in your foundation and along pipes and other wires coming into your home. See below for tips on how to prevent ants from invading your home.

Start Outside

Remove Brush. Get rid of brush near your home such as tree branches, rotting wood, leaves, and other piles of debris. Ants like to make their homes in these areas, so having them close to your home can be an open invitation for these pests to come on in.

Contain Garbage. Your garbage and recycling should be in sealed containers and kept away from your home. Keep garbage inside garbage bags tightly tied, rather than simply tossed into the can. Recyclables should be rinsed out, then tossed into the recycle bin to prevent attracting ants (and other pests) to your home.

Trim Back Plants. Plants and trees that hang or grow too closely to your home can be a nice place for ants to use as a ladder to get to your home. Trim back your landscaping and move plants so they are at least a foot away from your home.

Get Rid Of Mulch. Mulch looks great used as a blanket for your landscaping, but the downside is that it can be a hotbed for ants. If you have mulch around the perimeter of your home, chances are you have quite a few ants outside—and possibly inside—your home.

Use Ant Killer. Sprinkle an ant pesticide around the perimeter of your home to help get rid of the ant population. You can find ant pesticides in spray form as well that get rid of more than just ants. You can also sprinkle boric acid or coffee grounds around your home to keep ants at bay if you aren't keen on using a pesticide.

Repair Cracks. If you have cracks in your foundation, be sure to make repairs to prevent these pests from coming in. Look around your foundation and check for any ants crawling around. If you see any going into cracks, these are the cracks that need to be sealed. Use a concrete caulking to seal the cracks.

Inside Your Home

Keep It Clean. Clean your home often to remove crumbs from counters and floors, and remove garbage from cans often to prevent these pests from finding "free" food. 

Pick Up Pet Food. Pet food should be stored in a sealed container, and any food that isn't eaten should be tossed or placed into a sealed container as well. Don't leave pet food out all day long to attract ants.

Seal Windows And Doors. Seal windows and doors around your home to further prevent these insects from coming into your home.

Prevent ants from coming into your home by cleaning up the exterior of your home, while also cleaning the inside of your home. If you have an ant problem that you simply cannot get rid of, you could have an infestation. In this case, contact a pest control specialist at a company like Paffy's Pest Control for help.