How To Get Ants Out Of Your Hattiesburg Home For Good!
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Ants are amazing insects. The way they are able to organize into an army to gather food and bring it back to their nests is something you might watch in a television documentary. But it isn't amazing when they choose your home to invade with their army. If you're dealing with these pests and you need ant control solutions, we have some ideas to share with you today. We'll look at how such little creatures can become a big problem, some of the problems they cause, five useful tips to prevent ant infestation, and what works best to get rid of ants in your home. If you need ant control near you and you are in Hattiesburg, consider Havard Pest Control. Our pest professionals have the training and experience to help you resolve your pest problem quickly. We're the company to call for pest control in Hattiesburg. With that said, here are some important facts every resident should know about ants.
How A Little Ant Can Become A Big Problem
One tiny little ant in Hattiesburg is nothing to look at. Most ants are less than ⅛ of an inch in length. But one little ant can find its way into your home by scaling walls and climbing through gaps. Once inside, that little ant will do what it does outdoors. It will search for food. If it finds a source of food, it will take a piece and bring it home. On its way, that little ant will lay down a trail that other worker ants can smell. As the other workers find the trail and follow it, they find the food and head home. On their way back, they add to the scent. Some ants do this both ways. The faster the scent grows, the faster the army of ants grows. Do you see the problem? But, how ants gather an army is only one reason why they become a big problem. Here are a few more facts to consider:
- Some ants create indoor nests. If the ant species that invades your home is a species that can live indoors, you may have a bigger problem on your hands. An indoor nest will allow ants to appear more often and in larger numbers.
- Some homes have trouble spots. Ants can scale walls, but it is rare for a large number of workers to scale the exterior of a home. Large infestations often occur when branches or plants touch exterior walls. Climbing a tree or a plant is much easier for an ant, and trouble spots like this can lead to a big problem quickly.
- Some control methods don't work. When homeowners find ants, many go to the store to get ant control products. If the product is deployed correctly, the ant problem is solved. Unfortunately, these products can fail in many ways. When they do, they not only allow an infestation to continue, they can make the problem worse by causing a colony to bud. Budding is when one nest turns into two or more nests.
These are the ways little ants can bring a nest of ants and a host of problems into your home. Now, let's look at some of the unique ways ants cause problems inside your Hattiesburg home.
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Five Useful Ant Prevention Techniques
Long before ants get into your home, you can keep them out by applying outdoor ant control. These insects are attracted to certain foods and habitats. If you remove attractants and alter conditions that lead to ant infestation, you can exclude these pests from your home.
1. Remove Sweet Foods
Some ants have a sweet tooth. When they encroach, it is often because they find desirable food options.
- Nectar and plant sap are sweet foods most ants can't resist. Addressing lawn weeds can prevent ants from invading your property.
- Honeydew produced by aphids and other insects that damage plants in your landscaping can invite an ant problem.
- Sugary liquid, such as what you might put out for hummingbirds, can attract ants.
- A juice cup or soda can on the back deck can bring ants close to your home.
Consider all of the sweet food or liquids in your yard and take steps to remove them.
2. Remove Protein Sources
Some ants eat protein. They'll eat insects, dead animals, pet food, and human food. Inspect your yard and consider how they might get a bite to eat.
- Reduce insects by keeping exterior lights off or installing motion-sensitive bulbs.
- Clean up nuts underneath trees to deter rodents, which can become a source of food for ants when they die.
- Put pet food down at meal times, or refrain from feeding pets outdoors.
- Cover trash receptacles to contain the scent of your trash, and clean them if they start to have an unpleasant odor.
Simple steps like this will go a long way toward reducing ants around your home and preventing indoor ant infestations.
3. Stay Ahead Of Yard Work
Ants have harborage preferences. If you know where ants will likely hide, you can alter the habitat around your home to make it less inviting.
- Remove or store dead branches in a bin or container.
- Blow leaves out of your vegetation and remove piles from your yard.
- Clean up plant debris in your landscaping.
- Remove junk piles.
A clean and clear exterior is resistant to ants. It is also resistant to many of pests that explore your exterior and enter your home.
4. Remove Routes
Remember that example of ants climbing trees? If ants can find a route into your home, they'll have easier access.
- Trim branches near your roofline and exterior walls.
- Trim plants near your foundation walls.
- Seal exterior doors.
- Seal gaps around pipes.
- Patch cracks in your foundation walls.
The tools for this job are a trimmer, expanding foam, caulk, and a foundation repair kit.
5. Remove Indoor Food
When ants find a way indoors, you don't want them to have a reason to stay. Here are some tips to remove food options.
- Clean floors, counters, and shelves.
- Clean the sides of your oven.
- Clean under the fridge.
- Manage pet food.
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Clean dishes as you go.
There you have it. Those are our best ant prevention tips. If you roll your sleeves up, you have a good chance of keeping ants out of your home without the need for pest control materials or targeted ant control products. If you would prefer an easier solution, we have an idea.
Let Havard Pest Control Help With Your Ant Problem
When ants become a problem, contact Havard Pest Control for ant control in Hattiesburg. We use industry-leading control solutions to target ants and eliminate colonies. We use a multi-pronged strategy that includes inspections, treatments, evaluations, and follow-ups. You won't have to wonder if your ant problem is corrected. We also provide ongoing, year-round perimeter protection to prevent ants and other pests from getting into Hattiesburg homes. If you don't have ants yet or want to prevent future ant problems after getting professional home pest control for your interior, this is the best way to go. Connect with us today and tell us about your ant concerns. Our service team is here to help you with advice and service options to address all of your pest control issues.
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