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How Ant Infestations Start

 In Pest Control, Pest Control Tips, Pest Prevention

Ants are sneaky little insects—it’s a safe bet that almost everyone you know has had a huge ant problem at some point in their life. Their numbers are staggering all over the world, and with their tiny size and group mentality, they enter homes by the hundreds every day.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a part of that group that needs to figure out what to do about their ant problems. What are ants looking for, and how do they get inside so easily? Read on for expert tips from our team at New Mexico Pest Control!

How Does an Ant Infestation Start?

Ant infestations often start with a single ant detecting a food source. Once an ant finds food, it will signal to its colony to follow it by releasing pheromones. From there, a trail begins to develop, becoming increasingly harder to wipe out. Some foods that ants like are:

  • Meat
  • Bread
  • Fruit
  • Sweets like candy and soda

Some people keep an extra clean home and still deal with ant infestations. It might just seem like bad luck, but you might be looking at the wrong area of your home. Ants will take any opportunity for warmth and shelter, especially in the winter, so they will take advantage of any entryway into your house. Ants make their way indoors through:

  • Gaps in brickwork or wood paneling
  • Ventilation systems
  • Broken plumbing fixtures
  • Holes in foundation, and more

How ants get into your house in Santa Fe NM - New Mexico Pest ControlWhat Can I Do to Prevent Ants?

Your first step to ant prevention should be keeping your kitchen and bathroom tidy. Food should always be sealed in airtight containers and stowed away. Excess moisture easily builds up around your shower and your sinks, giving ants a free water source. Any spills, water or otherwise, should be cleaned up as soon as they happen. Use a lemon-scented cleaner or a vinegar-based solution for best results.

Next, look around the outside of your home for easy access points for ants. Close any gaps or holes along the outside of your house that you think could be leading ants indoors. Also, be sure to seal any cracks in your plumbing fixtures. Screens on doors and windows can work well to keep ants out, too. Finally, be sure to take your trash out regularly and store your bins away from your house.

Need Professional Ant Prevention in Santa Fe NM?

Sometimes the source of your ant infestation isn’t quite obvious. If you’re having trouble keeping ants out of your house in New Mexico, you can trust that your local pest control company will take care of the problem. Our ant specialists at New Mexico Pest Control are well-versed in the nature of ant infestations in Santa Fe NM and can safely and efficiently remove them from your home entirely. Don’t wait up to get rid of ants in your home, contact us today for a free quote!

How Ant Infestations Start in Santa Fe and Albuquerque NM

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