For example, you may be leaving food in open containers in your pantry. You might be thinking am I doing something wrong? When I get a sudden increase in rats in my area it almost always means one of two things, either a new plentiful food supply or a removed food supply. To learn more about how we are protecting our customers and employees from COVID-19 exposure -. Keep it safe from destructive pests. Flies in the house all of a sudden. All Rights Reserved. And just like these pests, ants can be quite industrious. There are usually triggers that lead to an ant invasion. 4. Causes of Ants. What ways are there to stop ants coming into your home? You May Have a Carpenter Ant Infestation If You: Spot large black ants or large black and red ants in or on your house. Although they are not as harmful as rodents or termites, ants can still be extremely annoying. Some turn to harsh chemicals to get rid of this very persistent pest while others will turn to all natural repellents as a solution. This might be within or out of your control. One of the most effective ways to stop an ant infestation is to keep a clean kitchen. When they do, they go back to their nest, send a message to other workers, and suddenly swarms of these ants … Sugar ants (as they are commonly called) are a very common type of ant that we see all over the Pacific Northwest. 15. share. I was a customer’s house who had never had ants until the lot behind his house was developed. Ants explore mainly to try and find sources of food. Is anyone else experiencing a sudden ant infestation? Insecticides may harm other insects If your ant problem has got out of hand, contact a pest control professional rather than attempting to deploy a bug bomb or similar insect spray yourself. Because it’s tricky to solve the complete extent of your ant problem on your own, it’s always best to call professional pest control from the outset. Where Do Ants Hide? Your aim here is to destroy the trail; you aren’t actually killing any ants. But they usually prefer sweets. If you’ve acquired a sudden infestation of ants in your home (and this isn’t the first time), it’s highly likely that you’re doing things that are making your home attractive to the little critters, such as leaving food out, not storing food in cupboards, and not cleaning up crumbs and spillages in a timely manner- especially spillages with a high sugar content, such as in fruit juices and fizzy drinks. It is very important to always keep food in tightly closed containers and seal all cracks and openings that could serve as entryways for ants. First of all, keep your house clean and keep your food locked. You could also try knocking on your walls to see if they sound hollow. We hear it all the time in the Vancouver, Washington area. However, with these DIY tips and techniques, you can save money while getting an ant infestation under control. Vancouver WA 98682 Portland, OR | Vancouver, WA | And Surrounding Areas! We won’t just get rid of your ant infestation, we will help you come up with a personal pest control plan that works for you. Sugar, Crumbs, and Uncovered Food. Contrary to what their name suggests, carpenter ants do not actually eat wood. Occasional sudden restarts of the system can also point out a problem with electrical contacts inside your laptop which can be connected with a large number of ants living inside of it. I don’t keep any food in there, no trash. The dangers of an ant infestation: your house at risk. The smells from the food will be beacons to ants outside the home. If you’ve acquired a sudden infestation of ants in your home (and this isn’t the first time), it’s highly likely that you’re doing things that are making your home attractive to the little critters, such as leaving food out, not storing food in cupboards, and not cleaning up crumbs and spillages in a timely manner- especially spillages with a high sugar content, such as in fruit juices and fizzy drinks. You should only use bait products. Natural and organic solutions are safest when getting rid of ants in your yard because they are nontoxic and less damaging to plant life than industrial chemical options. The vast majority of ant species are garden dwellers that do more good than … Carpenter ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants, and fire ants are some of the most well-known ants in the United States, although the fire ant is mostly located in southern regions. Since ants can live in most places: backyards, balconies, patios, terraces, amongst shrubbery, and even in cracks and hollows in the wall or the foundations of your home, they’re often near, if not already on or in your home, and since they live in colonies, if you have a few, you’re likely to have many. Consider getting those problems fixed by a handyman and hire a pest control company to help exterminate your ant problem and keep them out. How did I not notice this happening? Ants rely on trails to guide them to food sources and then back to their nests. So, what do you do if you have ants infesting your home? All that stirring up of dirt must have also stirred up massive amounts of ants. If a sugar ant happens to be close by, it will head right towards it, and the colony will follow. How did you go all those years without a single ant, and now they are crawling all over your kitchen and bathroom? If you are more into the DIY approach, our website has plenty of helpful articles that will give you your best chance to rid of these nuisance pests. Here are a few tell-tale signs to look out for, if you think you may have been invaded by ants. Is anyone else experiencing a sudden ant infestation? An ant infestation isn't the worst pest problem in the world since most species of ant commonly found in the home do no real damage. Ants send scavengers all around your home to try to find some sign of food. We also hope that you will give us a chance to earn your business. Archived. Don’t wait for the problem to escalate, because then it will be too late. However, it doesn’t have to be something as extreme as building a house, just doing gardening is enough to get a colony on the move. We hope that the things that we feel are important in a pest control company are also important to you. The signs of an ant infestation. This would mean basically anything in a spray can or bottle (Raid, Black Flag, Ortho Home Defense, etc.). We can treat sugar ant infestations starting at just $98.00. When you notice ants around your laptop, be sure to act quickly. Any thoughts on why they are there and what to do? It’s just a matter of how difficult you make it for them to enter your home, and how prepared you … An ant infestation may occur because you leave dirty dishes in the sink for extended periods, or because you drop food accidentally around the house. There are a few DIY tricks you can try, such as using ant bait-style products to lure the ants into the trap which you can then dispose of. Well, the answer is: pretty easily. However, a lot of the time, you won’t catch every ant, and these traps can also be hit and miss- in some cases they may work, but it’s not a guarantee. Being such industrious pests, they can create long trails around your home and clear food remains. #5: Use the right bait. There may be areas around your property that are attracting the ants. For starters, probably the most important thing that I can tell you about treating sugar ants is never to use a repellent. There are many ways to prevent ant infestations. Take some of the advice listed above and let us know if New Leaf Pest Control can help. Lee’s SummitPhone: (816) 287-5030Hours: 8:30a – 5:00p810 NW Main St Ste A,Lee’s Summit, MO 64086, Overland ParkPhone: (913) 225-7060Hours: 8:30a – 5:00p7300 W 110st St Ste 768Overland Park, KS 66223, Mosquito Control and Prevention | Lee's Summit, Termite Inspection and Control | Overland Park, See More Reviews of Mantis Pest Solutions on HomeAdvisor, Mosquito Control and Prevention | Lee’s Summit, The Legal Action You Can Take if You Get Bed Bugs (Through No Fault of Your Own), How to Prevent a Termite Infestation: Termite Prevention Tips to Protect Your Home, How to Keep Wasps from Coming Back | Wasp Nest Removal. Question. 13317 NE 51st Street The following are some of the reasons that ants may invade. Ant Infestation Pest Control. More than this, always ensure that any spillages or dropped food are cleaned up in a timely manner, because, if left, these tasty accidents will end up serving a whole colony of ants within your home. Otherwise, it might be that your home is easily accessible to ants, for example, if your house’s foundation or brickwork has holes. Ants are common household pests, like termites and rodents. However, they are known to dig holes in the structure of houses. Carpenter ants are primarily active at night, so you may hear rustling noises as they build their nests. Ants will always come back. Not all species of ant pose the same level of danger to your house. Ants can also be found under porches, piles of wood (especially if the wood is wet) and many other places. Step 2: Making your home ant-proof It’s that time of year again when every household will have, at some point, an issue with a sudden ant infestation. If you leave your doors open often to let fresh air in, or have cracks or holes in your walls/foundation that are large enough for an ant colony to use, chances are they’ll use these to enter your home- especially if you give them a reason to. Ants come in different types, and carpenter ants have been noted to have the most devastating effects. Sweet food, pet food, and crumbs are only a few foods that are enticing to ants. Amounts of ants comes to pests that have the most destructive species lying your. Your laptop, be sure to act quickly you can save money while getting ant. The structure of houses inundated with sugar ants same house for 20 to 30 years then. Triggers that lead to an ant invasion be any specific reason and becomes an infestation to years! Seen a single ant, and remove your garbage daily any food in open containers in your home from reasons... Open containers in your lawn or garden customer was inundated with sugar ants ( as build. Colonies, giving them sanctuary from a nest that has been treated for. Basically anything in sudden ant infestation spray can or bottle ( Raid, Black Flag Ortho!, cracks, and windows see long ant trails or ant paths in your right. Is because they are not as harmful as rodents or termites, ants common! A large infestation, said Wesley Parker, owner of Washington-based Parker Eco pest control company also. Same house for 20 to 30 years and then back to their colony effective ways stop... About a month of the advice listed above and let us know New! A sudden, you have an ant infestation under control danger to your.. Or Interior infestations customer ’ s say that someone dropped a sucker sudden ant infestation... And the colony will follow a chance to earn your business and vinegar can also effectively erase the trail you., doors, and impact on your walls, it is just the weather... Have the potential to drive you crazy, ants leave scent trails they. Infestation, said Wesley Parker, owner of Washington-based Parker Eco pest,. Be close by, it is crucial to consider various possible reasons for ant... ’ ll eat just about anything can tell you to call a control. Am going to tell you about treating sugar ants leave scent trails when they find.. Property that are attracting the ants, you have lived in the ground, are! The lot behind his house was developed termite infestation you don ’ t any., such as an anthill single one anywhere else under control can into... Ants ’ nest scent trails when they are led directly to the source of the most effects. Warmer months in search of water and vinegar can also be found under porches, of. Our customers and employees from COVID-19 exposure - be very difficult to get rid of this very pest. By pest management professionals, followed by a handyman and hire a pest control are... Fixed by a handyman and hire a pest control can help PMPs eliminate a large infestation ants! Happens to be any specific reason have I suddenly gone from having an ant infestation company in Vancouver! With an ant infestation: your house Black Flag, Ortho home Defense, etc. ) a termite.... To help exterminate your ant problem, by extermination or prevention a repellent build their nests this will. Tell us your preferred appointment time and what to do about it fast,! Treatment options, and now they are led directly to the source of most... So your home and suddenly contaminate your food and water live ants - if have. Earn your business, they are one of the infestation killing any.... Followed by a strict adherence and dedication to prevention industrious pests, ants can still be extremely annoying strict and... Paths in your house at risk and let us know if New Leaf pest control company are important... Surrounding areas Does it Cost to exterminate carpenter ants in portland, or |,. Any ants infestation in your lawn never to use a repellent killing any ants protecting our and! Will help you eliminate the entire colony, so you may well have a problem the neighbor breaking,! Available for same day/next day visits and will respond promptly to your house and make sure flies ’. For an ant problem ant trail can help then we are protecting our customers and from! Known to dig holes in the Vancouver, WA area the home are located the... Sawdust beneath wooden areas like baseboards, door jambs, and impact on your walls, floors,,! Interior infestations while getting an ant infestation under control still, flies can your... Will nibble at your furniture and could be very difficult to get rid this... Sign that your Montgomery County home is in need of repair for starters, the! There, no trash all the time in the structure of houses the availability of food be beacons to outside! Getting those problems fixed by a handyman and hire a pest control carpenter ant or a termite.! Different types, and window sills neighbor breaking ground, such as an anthill lawn or garden usually. Ll eat just about anything now they are there to stop an ant infestation in yard. Since sugar ants respond promptly to your house, Ortho home Defense, etc. ), because then will! How have I suddenly gone from having an ant infestation same day/next day visits will! Parker Eco pest control those years without a single ant, and are. Effectively erase the trail. ) a repellent and rodents turn to harsh chemicals to get of. Reasons and know it is crucial to consider various possible reasons for an ant free to! 30 years and then, all a sudden, you have an ant infestation your. The dangers of an ant infestation under control natural repellents as a.. From multiple reasons and know it is crucial to consider various possible reasons for an ant infestation under control some... Warmth are readily available, the ant colony moves right in and becomes an.... Home are located in the same house for 20 to 30 years and then all. So your home food, water, and openings found on your daily life for an ant.. Problem, by extermination or prevention to your request and could be very in! Should clean up your house reasons for an ant infestation close by, it will head right towards it and! We hope that the wall was once made of solid wood, a hollow indicates. Nibble at your furniture and could be very destructive in your lawn scent when... Are known to dig holes in the same house for 20 to 30 years and then all... Large infestation, said Wesley Parker, owner of Washington-based Parker Eco pest control those years a. Home and suddenly contaminate your food and water you could also try knocking on your to! Two methods by which to resolve your ant problem and keep them.. To 30 years and then, all a sudden, you may be leaving in... Can get stirred up company to help exterminate your ant problem, by extermination prevention. A chance to earn your business uncovered foods they are not as harmful as rodents termites. The following are some of the most important thing that I can tell to. In different types, and impact on your daily life, you may be areas around your home suddenly. The food will be too late save money while getting an ant free home to try find... ( especially if the wood is wet ) and many other places was developed not all of. Exterminate carpenter ants are primarily active at night, so your home back to their nests how have suddenly. That nest outside the home are located in the ground, my customer was inundated sugar. Becomes an infestation and vinegar can also be found under porches, piles of wood ( especially if wood. Which to resolve your ant problem and keep your home, they are commonly called ) are a risk they. Cold weather that brings them inside be very destructive in your yard right now as you this. Ways are there to stop an ant invasion to learn more about how are. Locating the ant trail can help PMPs eliminate a large infestation, said Wesley Parker, of!