One day, you were walking around the house and noticed the persistent presence of ants in some areas of your house. This might be a small problem because we’re talking about ‘ants only’, right? Plus, you may claim you have already dealt with ant problems in the past.
This can be true, but it can also be the start of a bigger infestation issue. Let’s discuss the proper ways on how to get rids of ants for good using DIY efforts and professional intervention.
Why Your Ant Problem Won’t Go Away
Want a little, non-fun fact about ants? When you see one in your home, you are actually looking at a scout from a colony that could contain thousands (if not, millions) of ants.
Ants are social insects with complex colonies that include a queen (can be multiple queens), workers, and soldiers.
Ant Species Here in SG
The following are the species of ants that can be found in Singapore, each with unique behaviours.
- Ghost Ants → from their name, they are very hard to see due to their small size and pale colour. They are attracted to greasy and sugary substances. Their nests
- Pharaoh’s Ants → these ants got their name from the misconception that they were part of the plagues during the time of Pharaohs. They are primarily attracted to anything sweet, dead insects, and grease stains.
- Carpenter Ants → they were named like this because of the way they build their nests. They excavate wood and form tunnels inside. What attracts them are moisture and damaged wood.
- Odorous House Ants → they were called as such because of the strong, rotten coconut-like smell released when crushed. They are attracted to warmth and moisture.
- Fire Ants → They are extremely aggressive when disturbed and may sting repeatedly. Their attractions are sugary and greasy foods, proteins, and moisture.
Root Causes of Persistent Ant Infestations
You must first understand what really drives the infestation to be able to solve it permanently.
Hidden Colonies Nearby
The ants that you see might be coming from a nest in your wall cavities, beneath the flooring, in your neighbour’s unit, or from your garden downstairs. The exact location can be difficult to determine without the expertise of pest professionals.
Multiple Entry Points
Ants can squeeze themselves through cracks that are smaller than a millimetre. If this is the case, your home has dozens of potential entry points that are too many to list. Examples are gaps around pipes, cracks in the walls, tiny openings around the windows, etc.
Food & Water Sources
You are a tidy person as you consider yourself, but ants are attracted to food sources you might overlook, such as a few grains of sugar spilt near your cup, or a drop of honey on the inside of a cabinet door. All these are possibilities.
Moisture is also attractive, especially for thirsty ants. So check for leaking pipes, condensation and the humidity in your bathroom.
Climate
The consistent warmth facilitates their breeding cycles, plus the high humidity provides the moisture they love.
During heavy rains, ants seek shelter indoors. And during hot periods, they look for places with lower temperatures and water.
It can be really challenging.
Signs That Your Ant Problem Requires Professional Intervention
Not every ant incident requires a call to pest control. An occasional scout ant that wandered in through an open door is normal. But there are signs you need to know indicating that you are dealing with a serious infestation.
Persistent Reappearance
If ant trails return within hours or days of your treatment efforts, it might be that you are not reaching the source. It could mean that the colony is too established, too large, or too well-hidden for home remedies to be effective.
You See Multiple Species
If you see different types of ants in the vicinity, this situation is best handled by pest control experts. We can identify the species and tailor the treatment method accordingly.
Structural Concerns
If there are small holes in wood or sawdust-like debris near wooden structures, you might have carpenter ants. You wouldn’t want to delay. Call the experts right away.
Unusual Locations
Examples of unusual places where you can find them are:
- Inside electrical outlets
- Within electronic devices
- Between wall cavities
- In your bedroom
Get professional help immediately.
Multiple Rooms Are Infested
You see ants in the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms and living spaces can imply that you are dealing with either a very large colony or multiple colonies.
Health and Safety Concerns
If you are concerned that ants are contaminating your food repeatedly or just worried that they may get bitten or stung, it’s time for professional pest control. When it comes to health and safety, do not delay.
What Experts Look For
You may be curious about the exact process of how pest experts deal with ant problems. This is how they effectively get rid of ants.
Identify the Species
This might seem like a negligible step but it is really important. Different ant species have different behaviours, as well as food preferences, nesting habits and vulnerabilities.
So what might work on ghost ants won’t be as effective on pharaoh’s ants.
Professionals are trained to identify species accurately. With this, it’s possible to:
- Choose the most effective treatment method
- Predict where nests are likely to be located
- Understand the colony’s behaviour patterns
- Select bains with the appropriate attractants
Colony Location and Mapping
Pest technicians can follow ant trails back to their source, looking for the following:
- Primary nests (where the queen is found)
- Satellite nests (secondary colonies)
- Entry points and travel routes
- Food sources that attract them
- Moisture sources that provide sustenance to the colony
We use tools and employ techniques that are beyond what is available to homeowners. Some even use moisture meters and thermal imaging.
Assessment of the Infestation Severity
Pest experts will gauge how serious your ant problem is. We evaluate the following factors:
- Population size
- Spread throughout the property
- Risk factors
Why Home Remedies Won’t Work for Severe Cases
In getting rid of ants, let’s be honest with you. There are many reasons why personal efforts fall short.
#1 – They are Repellents, Not Eliminators
Home remedies drive ants away, for the time being. What they do is disrupt scent trails or create barriers. But in reality, they don’t eliminate the colony.
Once the scent fades or they find an alternative route (which they will), and they’re back!
#2 – They Don’t Reach the Queen
The queen is the colony’s lifeline. As long as she is alive and keeps laying eggs, the colony will replenish itself. Home methods rarely reach the nest.
#3 – They are Single-Point Solutions
You may be able to treat the area where you saw ants. But what about the nest in your wall that you don’t know of? Other entry points you have not discovered yet?
#4 – They Can Make Things Worse
For instance, you used an insecticide on pharaoh’s ants, but instead of repelling them away from your home, they split into new colonies.
Without knowing the species you are dealing with, your efforts might worsen the problem.
Choosing the Right Pest Control Service
What to Look For
- NEA-licensed and registered vector control operators
- Companies with several years of experience handling ant infestations
- Check customer reviews and testimonials online
- Ask for client references to verify their claims
- Look for pest control providers using IPM methods and eco-friendly products
- The company should have clear and upfront pricing
- The technician should offer a thorough inspection and explain the treatment plan in full detail.
- They must be responsive when it comes to communication and willingness to answer your questions.
Conclusion
Do not underestimate the damaging power of these tiny pests. They may seem like a minor problem at first, but you never know when you are dealing with a whole colony of ants, worse if different species.
Serious pest infestations are best left to the hands of professionals. Pest control technicians like us at Avalon Services can get rid of ants in your home for good, plus we can advise on how to keep it that way.
If you have more questions about ant behaviour and persistent presence, you can discuss them with us. We can also provide a free quote.
