Ants are extremely social insects, in fact, they aren’t able to survive without their colony. It is because of this, if you see one ant lazily crawling across the floor or countertop you should expect that there are many more nearby. These tiny insects need a food source to survive, so the single most important factor in deterring them is to clean up any spilled food or drinks right away. Even in the tidiest areas, you can still experience an ant invasion. A tiny morsel of food that is hidden from view under a cabinet is enough to attract ants. They will also eat food that you would typically store in cabinets.

 Although ants can invade any area of a home or business, there are areas more likely to be infested. Kitchens and bathrooms are the main areas that are vulnerable to ants. Ants often enter homes during the warmer months in search of water and food.

There are some do-it-yourself steps you can take to help control ants

If you see ants crawling in your cabinets it is recommended that you seal up food in an airtight baggie or container. You may also see them crawling near your pets’ food area so you should store their food in an airtight container and put the dishes down only during meal times.

If you see a trail, spray the entire trail with window cleaner, soapy water, or a vinegar mixture of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Ants leave trail pheromones behind and this will erase the smell that tells other ants where to go.

How to tell if there’s already an infestation

Besides the visible signs, you can sometimes actually hear ants moving around within the walls. Simply put your ear against the floor or wall where you see the ants marching along, and if the colony is nesting close enough to your interior walls you may be able to hear them. On the exterior, you should check for rotting boards. You'll usually find rot where gutters are broken or where rainwater accumulates. Ants are likely to nest in these areas though they may nest in walls, behind baseboards, and even in the soil in houseplants.

Can a professional pest control company completely eradicate ants?

It’s important to locate nesting colonies in order to eliminate the majority of the ants. Since the scent trail doesn't just run between colonies and food sources it’s extra challenging to treat areas infested with these tiny insects. These pheromone trails can lead ants to satellite colonies, giving them sanctuary from a nest that has been found and treated.

In reality, ants are resilient and likely will always find a way back in. The importance of being proactive and doing all you can to deter them cannot be overstated. Having a treatment plan and working with a professional pest control company will be an important step in managing an ant problem.

Once you hire a professional to do an inspection and determine the severity of the infestation, a plan will be discussed to locate and eliminate the existing colonies. Ants will typically have multiple nests and colonies in some areas. Hiring a professional pest control expert is the single most important step to manage the annoyance of an ant infestation. Contact Spence's Pest Control at 804-741-4100 to schedule an inspection to help conquer these pesky invasive insects.