It is pretty unhygienic to have ants in your home. However, it is one of the most common household problems. All of us have faced these issues at some point in our lives. Infestation by ants in new or old houses is a fairly common problem. A variety of factors contribute to ants’ infestation during the summer months. If you see trailing ants in your kitchen, basement, or other parts of the house, you must act immediately.
What Are the Signs of Ant Infestation?
- Spotting Ants- Seeing large numbers of live ants all over your place may indicate an ant infestation. If you find them in your kitchen, dining areas, or where you prepare food, you need to pay attention immediately.
- Ant Pathways – Another prominent sign of ant infestation is ant trails in and out of your home or premises. An ant species may leave a trail leading to its food source. So, beware and take action to prevent their entry.
- Ant nest – An ant nest is an exciting thing to watch. A small site can look like a pile of soil or dirt accumulating in a small area. Some special species make their home in the walls or other dark places. So, if you find such a spot, beware and start taking measures.
Why Does Ants Infestation Occur?
1. Food Source
Ants are attracted to food sources as their motive is to feed and store foods for colder months. Ants feed on almost all types of foods. This is why we often see a trail of ants in the kitchen and dining room. But they mostly accumulate on the following food sources
- Sugar
- Breadcrumbs
- Honey
- Rice or any grains
- Syrup
- Meat
- Fats
- Fruit juice
Colonies can form long trails of millions of ants as soon as they discover these food sources. By using their pheromones, they leave behind a scent that other ants can follow. Until & unless the trail is broken, they’ll keep on coming.
2. Water Source
Ant’s survival depends on water sources, so even a small pool of water can quench an ant’s thirst. To survive, they often form colonies near water sources. That is why cleaning up spilled water is essential to keep them away. Keep certain places like underneath sinks and refrigerators to keep away their invasion.
3. Weather
Studies have suggested that there is a link between weather and ant infestations. Infestations mainly occur during heavy rainfall or dry, hot, drought-like conditions. Ant avoids colder months, so primarily the infestation happens during summer and monsoon.
The Conclusion
An ant-infested home is not only dirty and untidy but also a hub for disease. Your health and the health of your family are at risk. Contact a pest control company to keep your home tidy and disease-free.