As a homeowner, you will never want to come home to an army of ants in your kitchen or pantry. But why do ants infest your house? Should you be worried about these pests? How do you eliminate them? If you are dealing with an ant issue in your house, you may be asking yourself these questions.
Thankfully, you can get rid of pests such as ants completely with the help of pest control experts. The experts know the kinds of methods, tools, and products to use to successfully deal with ant infestations.
Common Kinds of Ants
There are some kinds of ants that you can find in your house. Some species may require immediate attention. Some of the common ants in Elmhurst, Illinois include pavement ants, carpenter ants, odorous house ants, pharaoh ants, and small honey ants. Most of these ants are nuisance species, but carpenter ants can cause home damage as they can attack your home’s wooden structures without being noticed for a long time.
Causes of Ant Infestations
As with other pests, ants search for food and shelter when they invade your house. They are drawn to human food, and the smallest of crumbs is enough to attract a whole army of ants. spotting even a single ant in the kitchen can mean more of them may just be nearby because these pests live in colonies that are composed of thousands or even millions of ants. To avoid any ant issues, keep the kitchen countertops and floors clean. Also, you should store your food in airtight containers, so ants won’t be drawn to it.
Should You Be Worried About Ants?
Having some ants in your house is not dangerous as these creatures do not present severe health risks. But other species of ants can cause expensive repairs. Pavement ants and carpenter ants can cause severe structural home damage that is expensive to repair. Carpenter ants tend to create their nests in the woods. If you find tiny holes in your home’s wooden items, you may have an issue with carpenter ants.
In addition, ants are a source of food for other pests. Thus, if you have a large infestation in your house, you may find other pests that use ants as their snack.
Steps to Take When Dealing with Ants
If you discover ants in your house, you should act right away. First, you should clean your house to get rid of the smallest crumbs that ants can feast on. Also, ants can easily smell the scent of foods, so it’s best to store them in airtight containers.
To make your home less attractive to some species of ants like carpenter ants, eliminate any damp, wet, or rotted wood. The use of traps and baits can also help control ant infestations in your house. Place these traps in places where ants may enter your house.
