Ants are a common issue in almost every house. In certain Valley neighborhoods, underground ant colonies might be older and larger than the housing tracts built above them. This suggests that ant infestations—and re-infestations—can be expected, especially during the summer. Ants can easily slip through cracks and invade your home. When facing an army of ants, the expert services offered by specialists in Reston Pest Control can be invaluable. Professional service ensures the right approach is followed to permanently get rid of these unwanted guests.
In this blog, we will discuss why it’s wise to hire a pest control professional for your ant infestation. You’ll also learn when to contact a professional and how to prevent future infestations.
What to Do if Ants Infest Your Home?
Once ants have entered your home and established a nest, they’re unlikely to leave on their own. Your home provides a steady source of food and water for these insects. Eliminating ants is not a simple task, and it’s crucial to identify the species you’re dealing with. Termites and carpenter ants are often mistaken for each other. Both prefer to nest in wood, but eliminating their colonies requires different approaches.
Although rarely nesting inside residences, the common little black ants seek food and water.
Identify the Root Cause
The ants you see are workers from a nest, where the queen resides and lays eggs. To effectively address an ant problem, you must target the nest, not just the worker ants you encounter. Rather than killing the ants you come across, track them to their colony. These worker ants are the key to reaching the queen.
Use worker ants to transport ant bait back to the colony. While it may be tempting, avoid cleaning up their trail. Instead, use it to guide the ants to your bait. Remove other food sources to ensure the ants take the bait back to their colony, where it can eliminate the queen.
Store-Bought Sprays Are Ineffective
Store-bought methods are typically ineffective against ants. Spraying alone cannot eliminate an ant infestation, as the queen often survives underground. Ant tunnels are too intricate for most pesticides to penetrate effectively. Even if you kill all the visible ants, a new colony can emerge from the tunnels, perpetuating the problem.
What Are Your Options?
If DIY methods fail, the best course of action is to contact a professional pest control service. They have proven strategies for permanently eliminating ants. With their help, even a massive infestation can be resolved, ensuring a safe and lasting solution.
