You wake up in the morning, make your way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, and notice ants on the counter, around your sink, and near your trash can. You may not have had any signs of ants prior to this moment, but now it seems like they took up residence overnight. These little pests are much more common in the spring and summer, and ants love your kitchen, in fact, in your home, that is the most common place you will find them. While the answer may seem obvious as to why the kitchen attracts these critters, we are going to review further to help you get a better understanding of why this happens, so you can prevent the problem.
Why do Ants Come Inside?
If you have an ant infestation, you are not alone. Ants are the most common reported pest in the country,” says Dr. Michael Bentley, staff entomologist for the National Pest Management Association. Like all pests, ants are always looking for food and water, making your home, especially the kitchen and bathroom, common to attract these critters.
Because ants are very small, they can make their way inside through even the tiniest of spaces. They often come in through a door, window, crack, on something that was outdoors, etc. Regardless of how they get inside, in the spring and summer, it is common for them to do so, in search of food and water sources to help them survive.
Why do Ants Love Your Kitchen?
Like many of us, ants have a sweet tooth and your kitchen may have just what they are looking for. Our kitchens, if not thoroughly cleaned and maintained, can provide an all-you-can-eat buffet for these little pests and their friends. Even if your kitchen looks clean, ants can probably still find something to eat. They like eating sugars, proteins, oils, and even plants, and the kitchen can provide them with a variety of choices.
Think about all the areas in the kitchen where ants may find a meal; sink, counter, table, dishwasher, trash can, pet food bowls, and more. No wonder ants love your kitchen!
How to Keep Ants Out this Spring and Summer
You can keep ants out of your home or business this spring and summer, by taking a few simple steps.
- Keep it clean: Cleanliness is critical for the prevention and control of any pest. Ants feed on sugar and foods, so wiping up spills, not having dirty dishes laying around, and keeping food in airtight containers can help to keep ants away.
- Remove wet and rotten wood: Check around your home or business for areas that may attract ants with damp spots or rotten wood. Look around showers, windows, basements, decks, etc. for leaky areas. Treat or replace wet or rotten woods to eliminate the feeding area for ants.
- Bait them: Because ants are typically where you eat, live, and work, you likely will not want to spray harmful chemicals to try to get rid of them. You can set ant bait traps that will attract the ants and should eliminate them.
- Use specific landscaping: If ants are attracted to the outside of your home or business, they will be less likely to make their way inside. To keep them outdoors, consider the food sources outside the house. Ants feed on sweet substances, and aphids, little insects that live on plants, excrete a honeydew like substance on plants that ants are attracted to. By not spraying or killing off aphids outdoors, you give the ants something to feed off of without needing to come indoors.
- Seal entry points: Ants are tiny creatures and can enter homes and buildings through minute cracks and crevices. To minimize this, seal around windows and doors and all cable, pipe, and wire entry points. Regularly inspect foundations for tiny cracks through which ants can gain entry to your home (thespruce).
Ants love your kitchen just as much as a family member in search of a snack. If you find yourself with an ant infestation, Delving Pest Control can help. At Delving Pest Control, in the last 25 years, we have seen almost everything imaginable in pest removal. One thing always seems consistent. Everyone gets pests at some point. Trust Delving Pest Control to eliminate your unwanted pests discreetly. We offer one-time services or regular maintenance.
Call us today for a free estimate.
