And how to correct them.

Despite your best efforts, ants seem to be resistant to everything you’ve implemented to get rid of them. Ants are resilient, smart and resourceful, making them an ongoing nuisance in homes and businesses alike. Here are five things you might be doing wrong in your DIY ants treatment and our top tips for getting your ant issues under control.

Clean kitchen but…

You may be doing an incredible job at keeping your kitchen spotless but look around carefully. Are leftovers exposed for some time on the kitchen counter? What about the kitchen tap? Is it leaking or creating moisture? What about the trash? Is it properly sealed. Ants seek easy access to food and moisture so taking steps to seal off your garbage, fix any leaks regardless of how small and ensuring left overs are properly sealed and stored will go a long way in deterring ants.

Pet bowls are top offenders

Pet food bowls are major culprits in attracting ants. Never leave food bowls unattended once your pets have finished eating. Immediately wash and drain.

DIY hacks that do anything but…

The list of DIY ants treatments is exhaustive but offer little in the way of long lasting fixes. Baking soda, vinegar, lemon and cinnamon are often used by home owners to throw ants off their trail but they will not eliminate an infestation. Other natural repellants may use harsh chemicals like borax which may produce some results but the mixture can be harmful to children and pets.  Chalk is another popular DIY method that may deter the ants for a very short period of time. Remember that ants are smart enough to find their way around these temporary solutions.

Not understanding ants behaviour

The effectiveness of DIY solutions depends on understanding ants and their habits.  Baking soda, for example, can eliminate an entire colony if enough of it is brought back to the colony and is eaten by enough of the ants and their queen to ensure her death. This is not always successful and placing the baking soda in the right spot to be carried back to the nest can be tricky.

Mistaken identity

Knowing what species of ants, you are dealing with and ensuring the offending pest is in fact ants and not termites, is important in identifying the appropriate treatment. Carpenter ants for example may resemble typical house ants more than termites but they can still cause significant damage to wooden furniture and flooring which they use for harbourage. If you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, it’s best to call in the experts.

Ready to say goodbye to ants for good? Get in touch!

Getting an ant infestation under control typically requires expert help. A multi-step approach is recommended to completely eliminate an infestation and prevent recurrence. If you’re ready to get rid of ants for good, get in touch.

Call us on 592 226 9658 or contact us online and we’ll contact you within 24 hours to help you control ants in your residential or business premises.