You’re enjoying an afternoon cup of tea when you notice something strange on your glass–ants. Soon, you see more crawling up the wall, over the window, and even on the ceiling. And while one or two would be easy to swat away, thousands more might come.
What you thought was a random, one-time infestation is the start of your new problem–a domestic ant invasion.
If you want to get rid of ants, it’s time to learn what attracts ants and how you can eliminate them.
What Attracts Ants? The Sweet Smell of Food
One thing that attracts ants into your home is the sweet smell of food. When ants smell sugar or other sweet substances, they are drawn to it and will try to find their way to get to the food source.
To avoid this, immediately wipe up any crumbs or spills, and store food in the fridge or pantry. Ants are also attracted to pet food, so keep their food in a sealed container.
The Warmth of Your Home
At night, when the temperature outside begins to drop, ants will often look for cracks and crevices in your home where they can seek shelter from the cold. Once they find their way inside, they will start looking for food sources.
In the winter, ants also build their nests near heat sources, such as furnaces and fireplaces, to keep their colonies warm. In cases like this, you would need to seek pest control services.
This pest control company will take care of the ant infestation.
The Darkness of Your Home
Your home is probably attracting ants because it is dark. Ants are attracted to darkness because it provides a safe place to hide from predators. Additionally, the darkness of your home provides ants with a place to build their nests and the resources they need to survive.
The carpenter ant is a type of ant that is more likely to establish nests in dark, secluded areas.
The Moisture in Your Home
Ants are attracted to moisture in your home because it provides them with the water they need to survive.
If you have a moisture problem in your home, it is essential to address it quickly to avoid attracting ants. Try using a dehumidifier, fix leaks, and increase ventilation to reduce the moisture.
The Chemical Attraction
There is one chemical attraction that is particularly irresistible to ants – pheromones. These are chemicals that ants use to communicate with one another. If an ant picks up a pheromone trail left by another ant, it will be drawn towards the source of the trail making your home infested with ants.
How to Get Rid of Ants
Now you know what attracts ants to your home. To prevent them from entering your home, clean up spills on the floor or countertops and keep food in sealed containers.
Also, seal any cracks or holes in your home’s foundation or exterior walls. But for hassle-free ant removal, look for a reliable pest control company.
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