Ants are among the most common reasons homeowners need to call pest control services. According to National Geographic, as many as 20 quadrillion ants are on the planet, and you don't want any of them in your home. Let's look at some reasons why ants may be invading your space.
1. Water
Water is essential for all forms of life, and ants are no different. Therefore, they may swarm around your kitchen looking for water just as much as food. Additionally, don't be surprised if you see them in your bathrooms or anywhere else that may be humid or wet. Conversely, if you've recently experienced heavy rain that has flooded ants out of their previous nest, they may move over to your home if it's the nearest dry spot.
2. Food
Even the tiniest crumb can be enough to get a swarm of ants on your floor. That’s why you should be mindful of open packages, spills, and even crumbs lingering on your countertops and floor. As pest control services will assure you, the best way to prevent an ant invasion is by thoroughly cleaning and using airtight containers for food.
3. Sugar
While ants love a variety of food, it's sugary foods that entice them the most. If you like to snack on cookies, cakes, candy, or anything sweet, remember that there may be some ants lingering in a nest nearby that are ready to share those treats with you. They like artificial, natural, raw, or cooked sugary foods, so ensure you keep them all contained.
4. Teamwork
Worker ants leave a trail of pheromones for other ants to follow once they discover tasty food. That’s why you may wake up and see a swamp of them encircling a spill or crumbs. They work together to take the food back to the nest.
An ant infestation is one of the most irritating problems you can deal with as a homeowner. Now that you understand some of the factors that tend to attract ants, you'll have a better way to prevent their invasions. If your home is starting to become overwhelmed by ants or any other type of pest, don't hesitate to contact our local pest control services at Essential Pest Control for assistance.