Although ants don’t necessarily carry any diseases an infestation in your home can cause significant damage over time. There are species that nest inside roof voids, electrical equipment and wall cavities and can leave a trail of destruction if left unchecked.
If you spot some live ants, ant nests or pathways, then those are signs that indicate that there could be a presence of an ant infestation in your home. In most cases, ants thrive in sunny climates. That means that you have to be very vigilant, especially during the summer.
One of the biggest mistakes that many homeowners make is ignoring when they spot a few ants in the house. That only exposes the home to a large infestation that can prove difficult to deal with. If you are a mother, ant prevention should be a priority to protect your children from ant bites.
Here is a mother’s guide to ant prevention:
1. Keep your entire home clean
Ants are attracted to food and water. That is why it is so important that you keep your house free of food crumbs and excess moisture. Always deal with spills and splatters as soon as they occur to prevent moisture buildup. Make sure you wipe up after meals and sweep the dining area regularly to eliminate food particles that might attract ants.
2. Find ant nests and destroy them
As the cooler months pave way for spring in Florida, it is likely that ants might start reproducing again. If you can destroy any breeding areas, you will have taken a major step towards preventing a full-blown infestation. You can also mix boric acid with sugar and some water and soak a few cotton balls in areas you may have spotted ants. The sugar attracts them while the boric acid attacks their bodies. As much as destroying their nets can keep them at bay, keeping your house clean will save you the most trouble.
3. Proper disposal of soft drink containers
Before you place soft drink containers in the garbage container, make sure you thoroughly rinse them out. This is to avoid a situation where ants are attracted to the sugary taste of the soft drink that might still be on the container.
4. Proper storage of food items
If you are not storing food items that are likely to attract ants in closed containers, then all other ant prevention measures are futile. Such food items include honey, sugar, syrup and pet food among others. The outer surfaces of those containers should also be clean and dry.
5. Remove garbage daily
In addition to removing garbage every day, you should also ensure that you change garbage can liners frequently. This is something that is easily forgotten and can contribute greatly to a serious ant infestation. It’s all about identifying potential trouble areas and acting accordingly.
Sometimes, eliminating ants completely can prove difficult, especially in a large home. If all these measures don’t work, you may want to call in a professional to help you out. When choosing a professional, make sure they have a proven track record in dealing with ant infestations and that they are properly licensed.
