While ant infestations are a common problem for house owners, many people will tell you that high-storey flats have also become a victim to their colonies. To understand why this is happening to you, try to understand the ants themselves.
So, if you have:
Then read along! We’ll cover this and more, starting with…
Due to their size, ants can easily get into houses for food or shelter by slipping through a tiny gap. Aside from getting in through an open back door, ants will enter through cracks in the foundation, gaps under doors, and poorly sealed windows.
They create colonies around it and send scouts inside. The scout ants’ mission is to find food or water and return it to the colony. This is the reason why sometimes you’d see only a single ant crawling in one of your rooms. As soon as it finds something, the room would be swarming with the rest of its buddies.
Ants can appear in any room if there’s a food source.
Like any other living being, ants are attracted to food. That’s why the most common place to spot them on your property would be the kitchen. Dried food in open packages in the cabinets is the easiest way to attract ants. The same goes for food crumbs on the floor and tabletops. And if there is a bowl of uneaten cat or dog food – that’s an open invitation.
The one thing ants are most attracted to is sugar – especially in the summer. It makes sense since most creatures on this planet are attracted to the biggest energy source. Artificial sweeteners are not the same as sugar but are also close enough to attract ants.
Like any other animal, ants also need a water source near their colony to prolong their stay. Unlike some other types of insects, ants don’t need puddles of water to survive, as they get most of their daily amount from food. But some species are additionally attracted to damp wood materials.
There are a few common species of ants that plague the lives of UK homeowners.
The pharaoh ant is a species found in every corner of the world. They are a huge indoor pest, which is especially interesting in sterile places like hospitals. Their colony is polygynous, meaning they have more than one queen per colony. For a close observer, it could be interesting if he or she were to investigate their caste interactions. Buildings with central heating are ants’ most common choice of habitat.
The pavement ant is most common in Europe. The name comes from the fact that the colonies make their homes on pavements. Pavement ants are considered hostile, picking fights and attacking other ant colonies. It’s not unusual from a human standpoint to notice thousands of ants dead on the sidewalk or even witness a huge battle. Little kids also like to stomp on them, ultimately leaving no winner. Cruel world.
You can also learn more about sugar ants and how to get rid of them.
The Argentine ant is not typical for Europe, but, as reported, these ferocious insects have been establishing themselves in the UK. Note that it is an invasive species. These ants will set up their colonies in the ground, cracks in concrete walls, spaces between timber fixtures and structures, and even among people’s belongings in residential properties. This species prefers to also settle close to water sources.
Once you know you have an infestation, you should learn two important things: how to get rid of ants and how to deter ants from coming back. There are effective methods of how to achieve both, and this way, ensure that your house is ant-free.
In any case, you can follow the general steps below:
Learn more about our ant exterminators and their professional methods!
Oil and dish soap: The soapy, slippery solution effectively kills ants. Combine 1 1/2 teaspoons of cooking oil and 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dish soap (olive oil and canola oil are recommended).ж Mix with one litre of water and pour into a spray bottle. The liquid should be sprayed directly onto the nest’s entrances.
A mixture of boric acid and sugar: As ants are known for loving sweet food and liquids, this method is particularly effective. Mix the boric acid and sugar until they form a paste. Apply the paste around the ant nest’s entrance to attract ants out. The ants should take some sugary substance to the nest to feed the queen. After consuming boric acid, the queen and other ants will begin to die.
Removing the pests from your kitchen is half the battle. The other half is not allowing them to return.
Don’t touch the oil with bare hands, as it’s a highly concentrated substance that might cause skin irritation. Also, keep it away from your eyes.
If everything else fails, simply pick up the phone and get in touch with a reputable ant exterminator. Fantastic Services offers ant control services that will help you eliminate annoying pests. We work with RSPH-certified pest controllers who are well-trained and fully equipped to handle any infestation.
Ant control specialists are available close to you!
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Did you find our article on how to get rid of ants helpful? Have you dealt with ants before? Why not share your thoughts with us in the comments below?
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