Aren’t we all tired of ants marching around our homes as if they owned them? We must never relax our guard when these insects are present. The ants dispatch patrollers to search for any source of food, so if you leave any food exposed on the dining table unprotected, you might as well say goodbye.
However, some people interpret the presence of these ants in a different way. They don’t mind having ants in the house, in fact, they welcome them. They actually believe that ants give them signs of what is to come in the future, whether positive or negative. However, this shouldn’t be the case. Ant infestations are known to do more harm than good. So, it is better to deal with them immediately both with DIY measures or professional help, and get them out of your premises immediately.
What Causes Ant Infestation ?
Having ants in your home is extremely unsanitary. It is, however, a very common problem faced by many homeowners all over the globe and can be found in both new and old homes. During the summer, several factors contribute to ant infestation. If you notice dangling ants in different areas of your home, you must act quickly.
What Are the Symptoms of an Ant Infestation?
Live Ants: If you find more live ants indoors than usual, your home has been infested with ants. A higher density of ants indicates their colony or nest is close by, which has infiltrated your premises in order to get food and shall soon enter your kitchen. A large number of live ants in your home indicates an ant infestation. If you see ants in the kitchen or dining areas while preparing or serving food, you should act without a second thought.
- Sugar
- Rice or any grains
- Syrup
- Meat
- Fats
- Breadcrumbs
- Honey
- Fruit juice
When colonies discover these food sources, they can form long trails of millions of ants. They leave a fragrance with the help of their pheromones that help other ants to follow the trail. They’ll keep coming till the time the trail is broken.
Ant Pathways or Parade: If you see a trail of ants marching inside your premises, you already have an issue. Pheromone trails are left behind by ants as they march to find food. This can assist you in tracking them down and locating their colony. Thus ant trails in and out of your home or business are another obvious sign of an ant infestation. They tend to leave a path to their food source. So be wary and take precautions to keep them out.
Ant Colony & Piles: Have you noticed ant piles in or around your home? If you answered yes, your home is in jeopardy. An ant colony can contain millions of ants, depending on the species. Ants frequently travel very far in search of food sources, so getting to the kitchen from your yard is never an issue. Another strong indicator of an ant infestation is the presence of ant piles around your premises. Observing their nests is a thrilling experience. A small site can resemble a pile of soil or dirt that has accumulated in a small area. Some specialised species live in walls or other dark places.
Water Supply: Ants rely on water sources for survival. They frequently form colonies near water sources in order to survive. Thus it is critical to clean the spilled water in order to keep them at bay. Ensure there is no water left on platforms or elsewhere in the kitchen.
Weather: It is found that there is a link between weather and ant infestations. Ant infestations are most common during periods of heavy rainfall or drought-like conditions. Because ants avoid the colder months, most infestations occur during the monsoon and summer.
Food Infestation: The simplest way to detect an ant infestation on your premises is to examine the leftover food. Because ants are always looking for food and will eat anything, they will most likely find and eat any leftover food in your kitchen. They might as well eat your pet’s food left in the bowls. If ants are plentiful in your home, they will quickly transport it to their colony and get it saved for a day when food isn’t available.
Wood shavings: There are ant species, such as carpenter ants, that consume wood shavings. They keep burrowing into the woodwork and leave a trail of wood shavings behind. Examine the debris collected while sweeping and cleaning your floors. The presence of wood shavings or saw dust indicates a carpenter ant infestation. They can damage your infrastructure and spread several diseases.
Final Words
Infestations of ants can happen all around the year and at any time. Ants multiply quickly once they gain access to your premises, and petite infestations quickly become out of control. It is critical to recognise the early warning signs. If you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms and see ants in your home, there could be millions of unnoticed ants. Thus, getting assistance from a professional becomes the need of the hour.
You could however try a few DIY measures by searching on Google but there is no guarantee that you could get the desired outcomes. Thus, relying on professionals is always beneficial.
If you are looking for a pest control company in your area, we can be of your help. Get in touch with our experts who will guide you at every step of the process and yield you successful results. We have a competent and proficient staff that can offer you a hassle-free experience within your budget. They are well-equipped with all the recent tools and technologies and will certainly do a fair job. Feel free to contact us for obligation-free quotes now!
Also Read: 24 DIY Ways TO Keep Home Safe From Pest