Most species of ants live in nature and should not be found in your own four walls. In search of food, however, ants slip through leaky doors, windows or gaps in the wall and thus get inside the house. The result is visible ant trails that are caused by scent markings on the food. The more attractive the food is, the more ants mark the way there and the stronger the signal scent, which in turn attracts more ants. If you don’t eliminate the cause of the ant infestation, you will make the condition worse in the long term. Read here how to recognize and counteract an ant infestation.
The animals are attracted by food and will crawl through even the smallest openings to get to the food source. Ants are usually found in the kitchen because a large part of the food is stored there. The result is long ant trails along which the animals can make their way throughout the house.
In addition to ant trails, there are other traces that can indicate an ant infestation in the house or apartment. Flying ants can be an indication, as can visible material damage caused by carpenter ants that build their nests in built-in wood or insulating material. So also look out for crumbs of materials like wood to spot an ant infestation. Those who do not stop the ants will have to accept long-term damage. As soon as you recognize an ant infestation, it is advisable to act quickly. On the other hand, if ants have settled in the house, you should consult a pest controller. This can determine important points such as the type of ant, the extent of the infestation and a suitable course of action.
Ants can cause problems not only within the four walls of your home, but also in the garden. This is because an accumulation of scale insects or aphids on plants encourages ants to settle there. Ants feed on the sweet excretion product of the aphids. Whole ant nests are therefore often found in flower pots or beds. This has fatal consequences for the plants, because the roots lose contact with the soil through the ants’ burrow systems. As a result, water and nutrients can no longer be absorbed sufficiently and the plants die.
There are several ways to get rid of ants. Ant baits that work with attractants are popular and well-known. This ant trap is designed to reliably destroy ants and ant nests. You can put the bait both in the house and on the terrace, balcony and in the basement. The ant bait can is also said to be odorless and effective for up to three months.
If you prefer to use home remedies, you can try the following methods.
chalk
Chalk is considered an effective way to keep ants away without killing them. Draw a thick line of chalk along the routes of the ants. The alkaline talc clogs the ants’ antennae and airways and will therefore prevent the animals from crossing the chalk boundary.
Lavender, Thyme and Marjoram
Certain scents can also be a deterrent to ants. These include essential oils like lavender, thyme, and marjoram. The ants are said to dislike the smell and therefore avoid it. In the garden you can easily plant these herbs and in this way avoid ants.
This article contains so-called affiliate links. Further information are available here.
