Ants are one of the most common pests you can find at home. Because of their size, they can practically enter your property through the smallest cracks and holes. Although they’re harmless, they can still cause havoc to your way of life. Hence, ant infestation should be avoided at all costs.
Typically, an ant infestation can be caused by several reasons, including the following:
- Nearby Food Source – Much like other pests, ants are attracted to the basic necessities of food and shelter. So, if they sense the availability of these needs in your home, they will invade your property. The presence of uncovered food, crumbs, spills and food wastes is a usual cause of ant infestations. When they discover that your home is an available food source, they will travel to their nests and send a signal to the colony. Before you know it, there’s a swarm of ants marching to your home.
- Weather Conditions – Weather conditions also play a significant role in the possibility of ant infestations. Ants thrive in Singapore weather, which is generally warm and humid. That’s why when it becomes wet and rainy, they try to look for a dry shelter to seek protection. During such times, they are most likely to infiltrate your homes to find heat and food.
- The Proximity of Nests to your Home – The presence of ant nests near your home can be another possible reason for unwanted ant invasions. This is especially true if you have a nearby garden where they can easily build their nests. That’s why it’s important to engage pest control services to inspect your properties for nearby nests.
- Neighbour’s Ant Infestation – If experts don’t find a nearby nest but somehow find an ant infestation in your home, chances are, properties around you have caused it. Likewise, when your neighbours suffer from unwanted ant invasions, it can also affect your home.
Regardless of the cause, you can execute practical and effective methods to get rid of them once and for all.
Use Natural Ant Repellents
Before calling the experts, you can try using natural ant repellents to keep the pesky pests at bay. For instance, you can mix water with peppermint, lemon juice, or vinegar to create a homemade spray. Then, you can spray this mixture to areas around your home where ants are mostly seen.
Alternatively, you can sprinkle spices and coffee grounds in the same areas to keep ants away. Spices like cayenne pepper, black pepper, and cinnamon have a strong and potent smell that instantly repels ants. The same is true for coffee grounds. So, if you place them in possible entrances and other areas with high ant activity, you can effectively deter ants from entering your home.
Install Ant Traps
Another method to eliminate ants is to set up ant baits and traps. These are usually made with materials that are non-toxic for humans but poisonous to ants.
Combine borax or boric acid with sugar and warm water. Once the ingredients are well incorporated, allow the cotton balls to soak in the mixture. Then, place them on ant-prone surfaces. When ants consume the mixture, the active ingredient found in borax will poison them.
Store Food In Tightly-Sealed Containers
Although these methods are helpful, leaving leftovers or food crumbs exposed will invite ants to your home. As such, you need to make sure to cut all possible food sources by properly keeping them in airtight containers or the fridge.
Practice Proper Housekeeping
Ants not only need food, but they also need shelter and water to survive. This means, apart from performing proper food storage practices, you also need to make sure to keep your entire house clean.
By sweeping your floors, wiping your counters, removing clutter, and fixing broken leaks, you restrict ants from invading your home.
Engage An Ant Control Company
If you still notice the presence of ants despite performing the methods mentioned above, it might be time to engage with the best ant control company in Singapore. Their expert pest control team will inspect your property and apply the most effective treatment to address the problem appropriately.
Contact Avalon Services if you need professional assistance in resolving your ant infestation.
