The Signs of An Ant Infestation
Let’s start by discussing the tell-tale signs that you may have an ant infestation on your property. There aren’t many of them and, for most people, they should be easy to spot.
You Spot Ants
Spotting one or two ants is unlikely to be an immediate cause for concern. You will need to think about how those ants got into your property, but a couple of ants are likely going to be sizing up the place to see whether it is worth venturing inside. Hint: it probably is.
If you see a trail of ants, then you know that you have a serious ant infestation problem. Trails of ants won’t form unless those ants have a destination, and they are using pheromones to lead the other ants along to the goal.
You See Saw Dust
One of the most common ant types here in Virginia is the carpenter ant. As the name suggests, they do a lot of their nastiest work with wood. If you start spotting unexplained sawdust around your property, there is a chance that carpenter ants are to blame.
Wooden Beams and Floorboards May Seem Hollow
Carpenter ants like to burrow into wooden beams and floorboards. This means that you may hear a hollow sound when you hit them. This is a sign of a serious ant infestation, or it could be a sign of a termite infestation. None of these are good.
Discarded Wings
Spotted discarded ant wings around your home? It is almost certain that you have an ant infestation that needs to be tackled.
Rusting Noises
If you listen carefully to your walls or the floorboards, you may hear a rustling sound. This could indicate ants or a whole host of other pests that are known to frequent Virginia. Again, none of these are going to be great.
Piles of Dirt Outside Your Property
Ants will often form nests outside your property. If they venture inside, then it means that their colony’s population is exploding, and they need some extra resources. Have a look outside for dirt or dust mounds. This could indicate an ant nest.
What To Do If You Have An Ant Infestation
First off, you shouldn’t panic. An ant infestation isn’t great, but it isn’t the end of the world. If you take immediate action, then you will be able to eliminate those ants and keep them at bay.
Identify Entry Areas For Ants
Your first job is to identify how ants are getting into your home. Look for broken seals on doorways, windows, etc. You may even spot cracks in your walls. Seal up any entrance points to the best of your ability.
While this won’t stop the ants that are already in your home, it can slow down the problem if they are spending their time nesting outdoors.
Remove Food; Water Sources
Ants are animals. They need food and water to survive. Clean up your kitchen and take the garbage out regularly, and you will drastically be reducing the number of ant infestations in your home. When ants feel like they can’t get what they need in your home, they will go elsewhere.
Some people may even go as far as to make being outside of the home much more appealing for the ants i.e. placing plants that may attract aphids outside. Ants love to munch on those.
Use Ant Baits (But Not Sprays)
Ant baits are a great way to get poison into ant colonies. These baits are attractive to the worker ants (these are the ants that you see wandering around). They will then take the baits back into the colony, the other ants feed on them, and the population is decimated.
Ant baits are superior to sprays. Sprays will kill ants for a short period, and only if they go near the spray. Ant baits can get into a colony and destroy it.
Pour Boiling Water Into Nests
If you notice an ant nest outdoors, then pour boiling water into it. This will kill most, if not all, of the colony.
Schedule An Ant Inspection in Virginia
If you have an ant infestation, then book My Pest Pros today. Our team is experienced at not only tracking down ants and eliminating them but also in helping to prevent ants from coming back.
Remember, even one ant in your home is a sign of an impending infestation. Deal with the problem as quickly as possible. Reach out to us today and schedule your ant inspection in Virginia.