How to Ant Proof Your Home?

How Do I Make My Home Ants Proof?

Although tiny and defenceless, ants do need to be controlled and removed when your home or business has an ant nest housing an army of ants. The army will usually consist of an ant that reproduces other ants, and also the common worker ants that find food to support the reproducing ant. Ants are crafty creatures and enjoy being together. You will rarely see an ant alone as they usually trail behind each other in single file.

You might think that killing a few ants that you see will solve the problem. Despite short-term gratification, however, ants are clever and leave behind pheromones which provide other ants with guidance as to where to travel. This means that ants can spread far in a short amount of time. Even if you break up the pack, they will be able to find their friends within their colony.

At VIP Pest Control we can help rid your property of ants. Here are responses to commonly asked questions we receive from householders and business owners.

Can Ants cause harm?

Certain types of ants can cause harm to humans should they sting the person. However, common household ants are usually attracted to odours that emanate from food items, rotting food and dead plant matter, animals and insects. Household ants are unlikely to be attracted to humans and will not crawl after you.

The harm can usually result in the contamination of food and surfaces that humans eat and touch respectively. Should food be left out in the open or surfaces not be cleaned on a regular basis, harmful bacteria might transmit to the person and cause health issues.

How to Prevent Ants in House?

Keeping your property inside and outside clean is essential. Although ants are small and seemingly vulnerable, they can penetrate the home from any location with the slightest opening. It is important that you seal your home or business completely and ensure that no rubbish, food, or plant matter is left lying around the property. Ensure that your property has no odours and areas of dampness.

Best Way to Get Rid of Ants

It is wise to call a professional to get rid of ants. Ants are crafty creatures. Even if you sight a trail of ants and try to kill them with household means, such as soapy water, you will rarely target the nest which houses the colony. Professional ant controllers have the experience, tools and knowledge to be able to locate ant nests and terminate the breeding process with special treatment products that are proven to work effectively.

How to Get Rid of Ants in the Kitchen?

Ensure that your kitchen is clear of the following sources that attract ants:

• Loose food lying around the pantry.
• Areas of moisture on the benchtops.
• Food residue on benchtops that have not been cleaned completely.
• Food debris on the floor.
• Food items transferred to various places in the property by pets.

Ant ant-free property can be achieved by:

• Keeping food in closed containers.
• Vacuuming and mopping regularly.
• Instructing children to be careful when they eat and clean up after they have eaten their food.
• Being vigilant with pets to ensure that food has not been placed in hidden areas.

How Do You Get Rid of Ants in the Garden?

Household ant removal products exist. However, targeting the ant nest is key. For many property owners, it is hard to accurately locate the nest. Usually you will find an opening to a nest where you can see loose dirt on the ground that looks out of place. This suggests ants have removed dirt during their tunnelling process. Whilst this might be an indication of an ant nest, usually it is not. However, a professional pest controller that knows ant removal techniques will have the know-how to successfully remove the source of the ant infestation from your garden.

How Long Does It Take To Get Rid of Ants?

The period of time it takes to get rid of ants depends on many circumstances. Sometimes, there will be more than one nest and more than one ant that reproduces. Consequently, it takes time to locate each and every source. However, professional ant pest controllers have tools and treatment products that can apply to all areas of your property and have all sources of the ant infestation covered.

VIP Pest Control operates throughout Victoria and has been assisting home owners and business owners for over 40 years with leading pest control treatment tailored to their needs. Book you next consultation with an experienced and professional technician at VIP Pest Control. Call 1800 198 041 today to discuss your ant control needs or visit a local branch.