One thing that frustrates homeowners in the Belleville, IL area is the multiple ant invasions that can occur. To solve this annoying problem, homeowners first need to figure out what is attracting these pesky insects to your home in the first place.
What Attracts the Ants?
Ants can be attracted to the two things that are essential for all living things to survive: food and water. This is why ants are commonly found in either damp and wet places such as bathrooms or basements, or in places where food is made such as the kitchen.
When it comes to finding these pests in the kitchen, it is commonly because they are attracted to anything that is sweet and contains sugar. This includes food products such as candy, fruits, and even soda. Besides sugars, products with carbohydrates such as bread and chips can also entice the ants with their nutrients. Ants have a keen sense of smell, which then allows them to find any ounce of sugary residue that could be left on any surface or even in the trash. This can also explain why some homes in the Belleville, IL area get trash can infestations.
Besides food products, moisture from plants also can attract these pests into your home. The damp soil and even leaves can provide moisture and protection from predators for these little insects. Also in some instances, the sweet fragrance that comes from a plant can attract ants. This is especially true for roses and peonies which are popular for attracting ants.
How to Prevent Infestations from Happening
There are different steps that you can take to prevent ants from becoming a consistent problem in your home including:
- Make sure your food is sealed in airtight containers.
- Do not leave your dirty dishes in the sink for more than 30 minutes.
- Make sure you wipe down your stove tops and counters every night after eating.
- Before recycling, make sure to rinse out the recyclables for any sugar or food residue that may be leftover.
- Fix any drainage issues that may leave standing water around your property.
- Make sure to get any plumbing leaks resolved as soon as possible.
If you have an ongoing ant problem in your Belleville, IL home, temporary solutions such as ant poison may only work for a short time. If you are in need of long term solutions, make sure to contact our staff at American Termite & Pest Control today!
