![\"Things](\"https:\/\/pestech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/01-Things-Youre-Doing-to-Attract-Ants-in-Your-Home.png\")
<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re having a problem with ants invading your home, don\u2019t panic. There are several practical steps you can take right away to help with the problem. Like other pests, ants come inside in search of three things \u2014 food, water or shelter.<\/p>\n
To kick ants out of your house, you can make food and water inaccessible. Ants are hard-working foragers, and they\u2019ll look elsewhere if they can\u2019t meet their needs inside your house.<\/p>\n
In some cases, sealing up food and water might not be enough \u2014 especially if the ants in your home eat wood and live inside the walls. If you try these steps and the ant invasion doesn\u2019t go away, a professional pest control service is your next line of defense.<\/p>\n
What Attracts Ants in My Home?<\/h2>\n
In the wild, ants find food, water and shelter in various ways. However, it\u2019s often easier to access these resources inside a structure like your home. When ants move indoors, they also escape the perils of nature, like weather and predators.<\/p>\n
Food Sources<\/h3>\n
Food is the number one thing attracting ants to your home. If you leave dirty dishes in the sink, have crumbs on the floor or leave food containers accessible, ants may show up to investigate and carry the crumbs away.<\/p>\n
![\"Food](\"https:\/\/pestech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/02-ants-have-a-strong-sense-of-smell.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Ants have a strong sense of smell and like to eat many different things:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Sugar<\/li>\n
- Carbs<\/li>\n
- Grease<\/li>\n
- Salt<\/li>\n
- Protein<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Because they\u2019re attracted to sweet smells, they may\u00a0also enter your house<\/u><\/a> in pursuit of laundry detergent, candles and other scented products. While they can\u2019t eat these items, they may find another food source while inside.<\/p>\n
Water Sources<\/h3>\n
Water is another basic need for ants. If your home has leaky pipes, drippy faucets or another accessible water source, it will be much easier for ants to camp out and live inside the house. Their need for water is one reason ants tend to invade kitchens and bathrooms.<\/p>\n
Assessing water accessibility in your home can help you keep ants out. Keep an eye on pet water bowls, use a dehumidifier for spaces like the bathroom and fix any leaky pipes. If ants can\u2019t access any water in your home, they won\u2019t stay there.<\/p>\n
Shelter<\/h3>\n
Ants like dark, warm environments. Depending on the type of ant, they may build a nest inside your home, underneath it or nearby for easy access to food and water. Understanding the kind of ants you have can help you know where they might be staying.<\/p>\n
When ants find food, they leave a pheromone trail that allows other ants to find the food source. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll see ants parading in a straight line toward an unknown destination. If you trace back the line, you may be able to find where ants are entering your home and block it off.<\/p>\n
How Do Ants Get Into Your Home?<\/h2>\n
Ants can enter your home through small cracks and crevices along windows, doors and walls. They may also come inside through your basement via cracks in the foundation. Thankfully, there are practical steps you can take to prevent ants from gaining access.<\/p>\n
Cracks and Crevices<\/h3>\n
Seal any cracks and crevices that would allow ants to come inside. This can also improve your energy bill by keeping your air conditioning and heating system from leaking into your home\u2019s surrounding environment.<\/p>\n
Examine windows, doors and other exterior openings. It\u2019s also a good idea to check your foundation and the exterior walls of your home for any cracks or damage. Repair everything that looks suspicious, and remember that ants can enter through very small openings.<\/p>\n
Outdoor Attractants<\/h3>\n
Ants may be attracted to flowering bushes in the landscaping outside of your home. You may have noticed that ants like swarming over sweet flowers like peonies and roses. If these are planted close to your house, ants may explore the exterior and find a way inside.<\/p>\n
The same thing is true for overgrown vegetation. If you have vines or plants growing up the side of your house or around your doors, they may provide a road into your home. By clearing off the sides of your house, you can make it harder for ants to get close enough to venture inside.<\/p>\n
Outdoor Food Sources<\/h3>\n
Ants at a picnic are an expected nuisance \u2014 they always show up because of their superb sense of smell. If you like to eat outdoors or regularly leave pet food outside, they may be attracted to your house because they\u2019re looking for the source of that delicious smell.<\/p>\n
Cleaning up your food, sweeping away crumbs and only putting out pet food when your dog or cat is hungry can help keep ants away. Some people surround their pet food with water, but that won\u2019t stop the ants from smelling it and coming to investigate.<\/p>\n
Specific Ant Species and Their Behaviors<\/h2>\n
There are many species of ants, and each one behaves differently \u2014 for example,\u00a0the characteristics of ant trails and nests can vary. Knowing which species you\u2019re dealing with is the first step to getting rid of them. Here\u2019s a quick overview of the most common household ants you\u2019ll find in the New York area:<\/p>\n
Carpenter Ants<\/h3>\n
These ants chew up wood and use it to build nests. Because of this behavior,\u00a0ant damage to your home can cause structural issues. Carpenter ants are large compared to many other species, and they\u2019re attracted to wet or moldy wood because it\u2019s easier for them to chew.<\/p>\n
Odorous Ants<\/h3>\n
As their name suggests, these ants smell strange when you crush them. They are comfortable nesting in many different places indoors and tend to forage 24\/7 \u2014 so you won\u2019t only see them at night. Odorous ants tend to move inside during rainy seasons.<\/p>\n
Pavement Ants<\/h3>\n
These ants are named\u00a0for their living habits \u2014 they tend to build nests under pavement, coming in and out through cracks. Because many homeowners have patios and paved driveways, pavement ants can enter your home through proximity.<\/p>\n
Little Black Ants<\/h3>\n
Homeowners often see little black ants in their kitchens foraging for food. Although they prefer to live outside, these ants do sometimes move into wood or masonry in a home. They are much smaller than other types of ants, hence their name.<\/p>\n
Pharaoh Ants<\/h3>\n
Pharaoh ants are difficult to treat because they build small nests in multiple locations. Originally from Africa, these ants thrive in warm places and chew on many different things. They\u2019re often found in large buildings but can also invade private residences.<\/p>\n
Acrobat Ants<\/h3>\n
When these ants are worried about a possible threat, they lift their abdomens up \u2014 hence their interesting name! Acrobat ants prefer a lot of water, so they look for moist environments like damp wood or water leaks. This species often comes inside by traveling across foliage into a building.<\/p>\n
How to Stop Ants From Coming Into Your House<\/h2>\n
If you have a lot of ants crawling around your home or just a few, it\u2019s wise to make some changes to your housekeeping. A small number of ants can quickly grow if there\u2019s food readily available for them. Here are a few of the top ways you can make your home inhospitable for ants:<\/p>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/pestech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/03-steps-to-limit-the-ants-food-supply.png\")
<\/p>\nRegular Cleaning and Maintenance<\/h3>\n
Quickly assess the inside of your house. How often do you sweep the kitchen floor? Does dirty laundry tend to sit out in a hamper for a while before it gets washed? Ants can be attracted to the salt on worn clothes, crumbs in your kitchen or standing water in your bathroom.<\/p>\n
Try these steps to limit the ants\u2019 food supply:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Wipe down your table and kitchen counters after every meal.<\/li>\n
- Sweep the floor or vacuum after every meal.<\/li>\n
- Store your food in airtight, sealed containers.<\/li>\n
- Put pet food away except during meal times.<\/li>\n
- Fix any leaking or dripping pipes.<\/li>\n
- Wash laundry frequently so it doesn\u2019t sit out.<\/li>\n
- Eliminate sweet-smelling candles and detergents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
By removing what attracts ants to your home, you may convince them to look elsewhere. Of course, ants that are living inside your walls may decide to eat outside without moving out. If you still see a lot of ants inside, call a professional pest control company.<\/p>\n
Sealing Entry Points<\/h3>\n
Another step for keeping ants out of your home is to seal any possible entry points. Examine your home\u2019s exterior for any cracks, crevices or damage that could let insects inside. Use door jambs, caulking and other fixes to seal any cracks.<\/p>\n
Pay attention to where ants are going inside your home. If they disappear into a light socket, a crack in the floor or around a window, target that area. Try safely sealing that exit while also removing any potential food source.<\/p>\n
Yard and Garden Care<\/h3>\n
![\"Prevention](\"https:\/\/pestech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/04-professional-pest-control-service.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Schedule](\"https:\/\/pestech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/05-Schedule-an-Inspection-With-Pestech-Pest-Solutions.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"