The unfortunate reality is that anywhere a void exists in your walls or the foundation of your home, an opening could be created for ants to build a nest. There are, however, some key areas in your home that might be particularly susceptible. Here are a few of the ways that ants may be finding their way into your home, and several tips to help you keep your home protected before you need to call for ant removal in Bartlesville, OK.
How are ants getting into your home?
Since ants are so small they have the ability to maneuver through even the tiniest of spaces to find entry into your home. That means that even the small hole where your cable and internet cords are connected to the exterior of your home could provide all the access ants need. Larger gaps, such as those that exist on windows or doors with sealing that is deteriorating or non-existent, are an open invitation for a pest invasion.
In other instances, you might unknowingly bring an entire ant colony directly into your home yourself. Make sure to check items such as lawn furniture, toys or storage containers before bringing them inside your house. If they have been sitting outside for an extended period of time and there is already a colony living on these items, you will be providing premium access to your home for the ants as soon as you bring them inside.
How can you protect your home?
Here are some tips to protect your home against ant infestations:
- Seal holes: The best way to protect your home against an impending invasion is to seal up all of the potential entry points ants may try to use. Make sure to caulk any gaps and cracks in the walls, and replace the sealing and stripping on doors and windows if necessary. You should also check to see if the areas around utility lines, baseboards and vents need extra attention.
- Clean up: Keeping your house as clean as possible is not always easy, but it can help make your home a less appealing destination for ants’ nests. Keeping floors and countertops clear of food waste, grease and debris can go a long way in deterring an infestation. On the exterior of your home, make sure to keep your yard free of piles of leaves or grass that ants can hide in.
- Eliminate excess moisture: Most pests prefer to set up shop in areas that are warm and damp, and ants are no different. To increase your chances of keeping ants out of your home and preventing infestations that are a result of excess moisture, have any leaking pipes or faucets repaired immediately.
Nobody wants to deal with a pest infestation, but sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might find that you need help with ant removal in Bartlesville, OK. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure you contact our highly trained extermination team at Excellence Pest Control. For nearly 20 years, we have been helping to rid and protect homes from ant infestations, and we are ready to help make sure your home is ant-free as well. Give us a call to schedule a consultation so we can get started right away.