Owning a home can be a very exciting thing. For many homeowners, the excitement starts to wear off when the idea of constant maintenance comes into play. Imagine that you have a brand new home and are preparing dinner on your beautiful granite kitchen countertops and you notice ants! What attracts ants? Like any other insect, food and water are what the ants are after. They want a mixture of carbs, protein, and fats.
Let’s take a look below for more details regarding ants.
What Do Ants Like The Most
Believe it or not, there is a wide range of ant species on Earth. Ants love to hunt for food and leftovers found anywhere. Let’s take a look at some specific things ants are attracted to.
- Sugar – ants love sweet foods. Basically, anything with sugar in it. All sugary foods leave a scent trail.
- Damp areas – they are attracted to good sources of water and damp clothes or towels.
- Bread and Fruits – keep fruits stored in the fridge and bread stored in a dry container.
- Syrup and Honey – keep these containers wiped down and stored properly.
- Soda and Food Containers – when recycling, make sure to rinse them out so that they aren’t in the recycle bin with remnants that will attract ants.
- Pet food – if you leave pet food out too long you will find ants. Make sure to pick it up after the animal has eaten.
How Much Does It Cost
To get rid of an ant problem, you will need your local pest control company to come out and create a barrier around your home. Removing the source of water and source of food is a pest control company’s main goal. You are likely going to pay $100 every quarter for regular pest control service. Also, expect to pay about $150 for an initial ant infestation extermination.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you understand what attracts ants, you can begin to read up on different types of ants and if they bite. For example, do sugar ants bite? This would be a good thing to know as you often see sugar ants in your home.
Next, get to know how to get rid of ants overnight. Your local pest control company isn’t usually available to make late-night house calls. However, you can try on your own by using liquid ant killer bait stations in your home and see if that does the trick. If not, reach out to your local pest control company.
Lastly, if you happen to have an ant invasion, they are likely to travel anywhere. Getting them out of your carpet can be a very difficult task. Especially if the carpet is thick. Be sure to read up on how to get rid of ants in the carpet.
When Do I Call A Professional
Having an understanding of what ants are attracted to will allow you to eliminate any of those sources. If you notice a lot of ants and it is after your local pest control service hours, do your best to eliminate the ants on your own. Wipe down your countertops and keep all food off the floor and other surfaces of your home. Call on your local pest control company to help you get a handle on ants in your home.
Conclusion
Eliminating ants can be a difficult task for any homeowner. You first want to find the source and how the ants are getting access to the home. Next, you will want to identify what is attracting the ants to your home. This will allow you to seal up any access points for the ants. Hire your local pest control company to assist you in protecting your home against all insects. Call Honor Services and we will gladly assist you with some pest control recommendations while conducting a thorough home inspection in Melbourne, FL, and surrounding areas.
