Ants are a common problem in homes and offices in Arizona. These tiny insects can easily infiltrate your space, and once they establish a colony, are challenging to get rid of. Ants can contaminate food, damage structures, and some species can even bite or sting. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to eliminate ant infestations and prevent them from returning.
If you’ve spotted an ant near your home or office, read on to find out what next steps you need to take to eliminate them.
Step 1: Identify the Type of Ants
The first step in getting rid of ants is to identify the type of ants you are dealing with. Different species have different behaviors and will affect your home or office differently. For example, carpenter ants can damage the structure of your home or office and so need to be dealt with as quickly as possible, ideally by professionals. Harvester ants will quickly infest your kitchen if you provide a readily available food source, and can sting, but their enthusiasm can be curbed by ensuring all food is kept in sealed containers.
Step 2: Eliminate Food and Water Sources
As we touched on above, ants are attracted to food and water sources, so eliminating these sources can help discourage them from coming into your home or office. Be sure to clean up spills and crumbs promptly, store food in airtight containers, and take out the trash regularly. Fix any leaky pipes or faucets and eliminate standing water around your property. By eliminating these sources, you make it less likely for ants to be attracted to your space.
Step 3: Seal Entry Points
Ants can enter your home or office through tiny cracks and crevices. If you’ve seen ants in your home or office, seal any entry points to prevent ants from coming in. You can use caulk, weather stripping, or foam sealant to close up gaps around windows, doors, and pipes. Additionally, consider using mesh screens to cover vents and other openings, especially close to the kitchen or break room.
Step 4: Remove Ants in Your Home or Office
You have two options for getting rid of ants in your home or office, and which is best for you will depend on the degree of infestation and the type of ant. If you aren’t sure what type of ant you’re dealing with, we offer free inspections and so can come out to your home or office and give you specific recommendations based on the ants we find. (Book your free inspection here.)
If you have only seen a few ants, you can use ant traps. You can buy or DIY ant traps, and most trap ants by attracting them to something sweet and then capturing them in water or a sticky substance. This can be a good option if you left out some food and have now seen a few ants and want to kill off the messengers who may tell the rest of the colony where there’s a food source.
We do not recommend the use of DIY insecticides since they are poisonous to people, animals, and the environment. If you believe you need to exterminate the ant colony to fix the problem, hire a professional pest control company.
Pest control professionals have the knowledge and tools to identify the type of ants you are dealing with and develop an effective plan for eliminating them. They can also provide ongoing monitoring and preventative treatments to ensure the ants do not return.
Get Rid of Ants From Your Arizona Home or Office for Good
Effectively eliminating ants from your Arizona home or office requires a combination of strategies. By identifying the type of ants, eliminating food and water sources, and sealing entry points, you can effectively prevent ant infestations. If you are dealing with an infestation, hire a professional pest control company to assist you. We can come to your Arizona home or office, identify the ants causing the problem, and remove them without putting anyone using the home or office at risk. To book your free inspection, click here.
