When the ants come marching in, all homeowners want to do is find a way to keep them marching out. Having pests invade your kitchen is never a positive experience, especially when it comes to ants. They are small and pervasive, invading in large numbers in order to infest food supplies and take perishables back to their colony.
Take Preventative Measures: The best way to keep outs out of your kitchen is to not entice them to enter in the first place. There are a number of things that homeowners can go in order to dissuade pests from invading. Cleanliness is the number one preventative measure to take. Homeowners should routinely wash all surfaces in their kitchen, such as countertops, floors, and cabinets. All food and drink should be covered if left out on a countertop for a long period of time. Garbage should be regularly removed about once every three or so days. When it is still in your kitchen, garbage bins should be kept tightly lipped so that nothing can enter and pick through the trash. Finally, if there are any obvious holes or crevices in your kitchen, they should be patched up and repaired so that no ants —or other pests— can enter.
Home Remedies: If using pesticides doesn’t suit you and your family, there are a variety of natural home remedies you can try before turning to professional help. Ants do not like citrus fruits such as lemons or oranges. Leaving a few peels around places where ants might frequent can help deter them. Similarly, pepper, salt, and white vinegar can also act as natural deterrents. These options don’t kill the ants, but rather signals to them that they shouldn’t enter the area.
Non-Toxic Ant Bait: If you want to eliminate the ants once and for all, rather than simply deter them with home remedies, then using ant bait indoors might be most effective for your property. Rather than using a pesticide to kill the ants, use an ant bait. Ant baits are made with sweet materials that attracts ants but contain a toxin that is dangerous to ants but not to humans. Any invading ants will be tempted by the sweet treat and carry it back to the colony. This method is slow moving —as it needs to be transported back to the colony multiple times— but entirely effective.
Call a Pest Professional: If none of these options work, then calling in a professional pest control specialist is a great final resort to help get rid of the problem once and for all. Professional pest control companies can track down each trail leading towards the ant colonies and get rid of the pests from the source, as well as identify any future potential risks in your home.
Having ants in your home is a nightmare for any homeowner. Luckily, these easy ways to keep ants out of your kitchen are simple and effective. Take these preventative measures to ensure no ants invade your property. If you’re around McAllen Texas, Bug Off Pest Control Services can help you target and eliminate ants. Call 956-782-7378 anytime!