SIX STEPS TO GETTING RID OF ANTS

Count yourself among the fortunate few if you have never seen ants at your home, office, or school. If you're like most people, you've battled ants before - whether it's a nest of pavement ants in your garage or a parade of odorous house ants marching across your kitchen counter. In the United States, ants are the most common pest. With over 700 species found in the United States and more than 20 varieties known to infest homes and other structures.

There are, however, some basic precautions that homeowners can take to lessen the likelihood of unwittingly attracting ants into their homes.

1. Learn about the most popular hangouts

It's probably not a surprise that ants are most commonly found in kitchens. After all, kitchens are stocked with food and water, which ants (and other pests) require to survive. Ants are also known to congregate in bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, basements, inside walls, and near air conditioning and heating devices.

2. Eliminate Water Sources 

Preventing ants can be as simple as reducing dampness and standing water around your home. Repair any faulty pipes, and check under sinks for dampness regularly. In most basements, crawl spaces, or attics, consider utilizing a dehumidifier. Ensure that downspouts and gutters are in good working order so that water flows away from the house's foundation.

3. Eliminate Food Sources

Keeping your kitchen clean will deter ants from entering your home. To remove crumbs and residue from spills, wipe down counters and sweep floors regularly. Food should be kept in sealed pest-proof containers, and ripe fruit should be kept in the refrigerator. Wipe sticky jars down, particularly those that contain honey, syrup, soda, or other sweets.

4. Don't forget about your pets

Pests are attracted to their food and water bowls, so keep them clean and wipe up any spilt food or water right away. Dry pet food should be stored in a sealed plastic container rather than paper bags. Inspect dog/cat doors to make sure pests aren't able to get in. Keep in mind that ants can squeeze through even the slightest cracks.

5. Access points should be blocked or eliminated

Take some time to look around the outside of your house for easy entry points. Branches from trees and bushes should be cut away from the house since they might offer ant roads inside. 

6. Be Careful

Fighting ants might be a losing struggle if you don't have the right protective gear. Worse, if an infestation is not adequately handled, it might continue to grow. Some ants, such as carpenter ants, can cause major property damage, while others, such as fire ants, can pose a health risk to your family. 

Infestation is a problem that requires immediate action and thorough investigation. At this point, you may require the services of a specialist to assist you in promptly resolving the issue. A1 Howies provides excellent advice and services at a fair price. They offer a huge number of employees who have been fully trained to assist customers with pest problems in their homes and offices. They are the most trusted and the best ant exterminators in Queens County, Nassau County, and the East Rockaway region.