Ant pests can seem mysterious, but they really aren’t all that mysterious. There are only a handful of factors that cause ants to get into homes in Oklahoma City. You’re not likely to be surprised by them. But what may surprise you is the variety of ant problems you can encounter. Let’s take a look.
Interior Food Sources
It is likely that you are aware that ants look for food in your home. You may also know that one ant will let other ants know when it has found food, and you can have a bunch of ants come in from the outside to feed on a food source. What you may not realize is that cleaning up those ants may only be a very temporary fix. If ants realize your home has food, it can inspire them to create an interior nest. It could also inspire an exterior nest to produce more workers. The worst-case scenario is when residents kill ants with an over-the-counter ant control product. If a colony has more than one queen, this type of ant control can lead to budding. This turns one colony into two or more—which makes the problem worse.
The best response to finding ants in your home:
- Track where the ants may be coming in and seal the entry point.
- Seal gaps in your kitchen where you see ants coming and going.
- Suck the ants up with a vacuum.
- Clean the area with soapy water.
If your ant problem persists, contact a pest control provider. While most ants are just a nuisance, some, like Pharaoh ants, can present a health risk.
Exterior Food Sources
You’ve probably noticed that ants like to climb around in your landscaping. Do you know why? One key reason is that your landscaping provides food sources. Many ants eat sweets (including some carpenter ant species). These ants will be attracted to your plants if there is honeydew. When you take steps to resist aphids and other plant-damaging pests that produce honeydew, you work to prevent ant problems as well.
Ants that eat protein, like red imported fire ants, will be drawn to protein sources. Proper trash management can help to resist these ants and keep them from establishing nests in the ground near your home and getting inside to sting you. Be sure to keep your trash receptacles free of odors. This is essential.
Ants Get In Because They Can
This is not surprising. If ants explore your exterior and find a way inside, they’ll be happy to take a look at what you have to offer. Some ant species do not establish interior nests. Some do. When ants, like pavement ants, create a nest inside your home, they can go from being a minor nuisance to a major nuisance. If a species does not create interior nests, they can still be a problem if they’re able to keep getting inside. It is important to do an interior inspection and seal any potential entry points, such as cracks in your foundation, gaps around foundation penetrations, and wood holes.
The Best Protection
There is no better way to reduce ants and other pests around your exterior and keep them from getting into your home than to invest in a year-round pest control plan. If you live in Oklahoma City, reach out to Thunder Pest Control today for assistance.
