Ants are remarkable creatures. They can lift 10 to 50 times their body weight and can survive underwater anywhere from one to 14 days. When needed, some types of ants can even form a superorganism, joining their bodies to build bridges and rafts.
However, as remarkable as ants are, their needs are relatively simple. They require food, water, and shelter. If your home has recurring ant infestations, then your property is offering ants one or more of those three things.
WHY HOMES GET RECURRING ANT INFESTATIONS
Below are the most common reasons why ants will invade a home.
1. They smell unsealed food.
Yes, ants do have a sense of smell! They have four to five times more odor receptors than most other insects, which makes them the bloodhounds of the bug world. Make sure to keep any food that’s stored outside of your refrigerator in airtight bags or containers to prevent it from attracting ants.
2. They’re attracted by crumbs around the house.
As careful as we try to be, everyone drops a few crumbs here and there in the kitchen or dining room—or even in the living room while munching on game day snacks. While crumbs may not seem like a significant problem, ants can smell them and come looking for them.
Avoid this issue by keeping your floors clean and sweeping or vacuuming up crumbs when you see them. Don’t forget to sweep underneath furniture and appliances as well!
3. They smell dirty dishes or unrinsed recyclables.
Ants love it when you don’t do the dishes. This leaves plenty of food and drink residue for them to eat off your plates, cups, and silverware. Prevent an ant invasion in your sink by washing your dishes or putting them away in the dishwasher right away after each meal. Also, don’t forget to rinse your recyclables, especially if you collect them in an indoor container.
4. They think your pet’s food is up for grabs.
Even if your pet prefers to “graze” throughout the day, you may want to switch to meal times for your furry family member to avoid numerous types of pest infestations. Fortunately, eating ants won’t harm a cat or dog (other than a few bites), but once ants have been drawn in by your pet’s food, they may spread to other areas of your home.
5. They love the fragrant flowers on your property.
While people enjoy flowers for their beauty and fragrances, ants are drawn to flowers’ nectar. Some flowers are much more prone to attracting ants than others, such as roses and peonies.
Does this mean you should stop growing these beautiful flowers? Of course not! It just means that you might need a little extra help with ant control to prevent indoor infestations.
6. They want to drink from your plumbing leaks and drainage problems.
Just like any creature, ants require some form of water to survive. If they can’t get enough water from their food sources, ants need to get it directly from the source. This is why you can often find ant scouts in a home’s kitchen or bathroom, especially if there’s a leaky faucet creating a damp environment in the sink.
ANT CONTROL IN CHARLOTTE
At Sage Pest Control, our specialists can help you identify the source of your home’s ant problem, provide an effective solution, and give you practical tips for preventing future issues. For ant control services in Charlotte, Raleigh, or Greensboro, contact us online, or give us a call at (704) 413-3398.