Summer is here and while it’s great to enjoy the warmer months the downside to the heat is that pests that come along with it.
One of the most common pest problems people face during the warmer months is ants. Whether you have ants in your littering your food preparation surfaces or crawling all over your picnic, an ant problem can be incredibly difficult to contain, we can help to get rid of ants.
Why Do I See So Many Ants In Summer?
Did you know that ants hibernate during winter? They eat large amounts of food in autumn and live off the stored fat while they sleep through the colder months. This means that as the weather starts to improve, and they wake up and start moving away from their ant nest, they are very hungry.
Ants work relentlessly through summer to forage enough food so that they can make it through the winter. The longer, hotter and drier the weather, the more they’re inclined to make their way into your home in search of food and water.
Where Do Ants Live?
Ants live in large groups called colonies. While many of them live outside, it’s certainly not uncommon for them to explore the surrounding areas (include inside your home or office) in search of food.
If you’ve noticed a sudden influx of ants in your home, chances are that they’ve either set up a base nearby or in your home. If they’re nesting outside, they will come into your property, get what they need and then take it back for the rest of the colony. You may find them underground, inside trees or in the walls and voids of a house or building.
Inside, ants can often be found nesting behind kitchen baseboards, mouldings and countertops as well as inside walls.
Ants tend to favour bathrooms because there’s plenty of water there and kitchens because there’s an endless supply of food. You’re more likely to find them hiding in a food cupboard because they increase their chances of going unnoticed if it’s dark and quiet.
Common mistakes people make include thinking that these insects are only attracted to food and that seeing just one of them isn’t a problem. Like any pest, ants are of course attracted to food but they will eat almost anything including grease splattered on your stovetop. Once a scout ant finds a food source, they will mobilise their army and before the day is out, you will have a trail of ants dining off your food supplies.
What To Do If You Have An Ant Infestation
There are plenty of bug sprays you can buy from supermarkets and DIY shops which can be effective at keeping ants at bay. Please be careful when spraying any chemical in your home however – especially if you have pets or young children.
If you suspect you have an ant’s nest inside your property, the best thing to do is call pest control. They will be able to remove the nest safely as well as provide you with prevention strategies which means you’re less likely to suffer an infestation in the future.
To book in for your free pest audit and for ant control advice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Prokill today.
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