Tips to Prevent Ants

Serving Albuquerque and Taos

Most people have, at some point in their lives, experienced an infestation of ants in their home, office, or school. Ant infestations are common and can happen to anyone at anytime. Whether you’ve discovered a nest of pavement ants in the garage or a line of house ants crawling along your kitchen counter top, it is never fun to encounter ants infesting areas they shouldn’t. To avoid the frustration of an ant infestation, it’s important to learn what you can do to keep ants away. Keep reading for out top tips to prevent ants in your Santa Fe home!

Top 3 Ant Prevention Tips

There are more than 700 species of ants in the United States alone, and more than 20 types are known to infest homes or other structures. It’s no wonder, then, why homeowners deal with ant problems constantly! There are several ant prevention tips that are proven to keep ants away from your home:

1. Limit Sources of Water
   • Repair leaky pipes and regularly check under any sinks for moisture.
   • Consider using a dehumidifier in damp basements, crawl spaces, or attics.
   • Outside, ensure that downspouts and gutters are functioning properly so that water flows away from the foundation of the house.
   • Make sure to keep pet bowls clean and wipe up any spilled food or water promptly.
2. Control Sources of Food
   • Wipe down counters and sweep floors regularly to eliminate crumbs and residue from spills.
   • Store open food in sealed, hard containers, and keep ripe fruit in the refrigerator.
   • Clean out jars that contain sticky substances, such as honey, syrup, sodas, or other sweets.
   • Always use a secure lid on garbage cans and dispose of trash regularly.
   • Opt to store dry pet food in a sealed plastic container rather than the paper bags they often come in, which can be easily accessed by ants and other pests.
3. Eliminate Ant Entry Points
   • Make sure all access points are sealed and secured.
   • Install screens on doors and windows
   • Remember to inspect dog or cat doors to ensure that pests cannot get through. Ants can fit through tinier openings than you’d think.

Preventing Ants from Getting Inside

There are several ways you can keep ants away in your yard, which limits their chances of getting indoors. Our top tips to prevent ants outdoors include:

• Install screens on doors and windows
• Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from the home, as branches can provide a road indoors for ants.
• Seal any cracks and crevices on the outside of the home with silicone caulk, paying special attention to areas where utility pipes enter.
• Remember to inspect dog or cat doors to ensure that pests cannot get through. Ants can fit through tinier openings than you’d think.

Where to Check for An Ant Infestation

Curious about where ants might be hiding in your home? Here are some common spots to check for an ant infestation:

• Kitchen: Ants are attracted to food sources, so check around countertops, sinks, and pantry shelves for signs of ants or food crumbs.
• Bathroom: Moist areas like bathrooms can attract ants in search of water. Check around sinks, toilets, and tubs for any signs of ant activity.
• Entry Points: Ants can enter your home through tiny cracks and gaps in doors, windows, and foundations. Inspect these areas for any signs of ant trails or entry points.
• Outdoor Areas: Ants may build nests in outdoor areas near your home, such as in mulch beds, under rocks, or around trees and shrubs. Keep an eye out for ant mounds or trails leading indoors.
• Pet Areas: Ants may be attracted to pet food or water bowls. Check around these areas for signs of ant activity.
• Garbage and Recycling Bins: Ants are drawn to food scraps in garbage and recycling bins. Make sure these containers are tightly sealed to prevent ant infestations.

If you spot any signs of ants in these areas, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent the infestation from spreading. Contact a pest control professional for assistance in eliminating the ants and preventing future infestations.

Professional Tips to Prevent Ants

While there are many tips and tricks to preventing ants, it’s a hard battle once they are inside your home. An ant infestation can grow quickly and become a serious issue if not properly treated; several species, such as carpenter ants, can even cause extensive property damage and most species can contaminate your food. To avoid the infestation getting out of hand, it’s important to trust in your local ant control professionals to help fix the problem. The team at New Mexico Pest Control can help keep ants away for good. Contact us today!