Spring is a wonderful time to get some fresh air in your home. Whether you’re tackling spring cleaning or preparing healthy meals, you may notice ants in this part of your home. Use these five tips for effective carpenter ant control in Kitchener. Don’t let these tiny intruders affect the safety and comfort of your home.
1. Remove Standing Water
Start with standing water around your kitchen. Water spills, dripping faucets and even a sinkful of dishes can be a welcomed sight for these little intruders. Spring may not be as dry as summer, but ants newly emerging after a long winter in Kitchener will still likely want a water source.
It doesn’t take a lot of water to quench the thirst of a few ant explorers. Check for moisture around windows, muddy boot prints by the door or condensation around your refrigerator. All of these could be enticing to ants entering your home.
Some condensation around your refrigerator may be expected on a warm day, but excess moisture may be a sign that your appliance needs to be repaired. A quick call to a plumber may be necessary to prevent water leaks around your fridge, dishwasher or sink.
2. Secure Your Food
Food is another goal for explorer carpenter ants and other ant species. Ants aren’t very particular about food sources, so crumbs on your floor are just as mouth-watering as food in your pantry. All it takes are a few crumbs to announce to hungry ants that it’s time for a meal.
Keep your food prep and eating areas clean to avoid ants in your kitchen or dining room. Check your cabinets for crumbs, spilled liquids or improperly sealed containers. If even a single ant finds nutrients available in your home, it will send signals to the entire colony, and you may soon have an infestation.
3. Seal Doors and Windows
Crumbs and condensation may not be a problem if your home is safely secured. Prevent ants from coming into your home in the first place by keeping your windows and doors sealed. Remember that ants are very resourceful.
Exploring insects can squeeze through the tiniest cracks around your doors, windows and baseboard trim. Work with our team at Truly Nolen Pest Control to seal your home from ant invaders.
Sealing your home is also a great way to increase its energy efficiency. Enjoy lower utility bills this summer and winter as you cool and heat your home.
4. Find the Invading Colony’s Nest
Why wait for intruders to come to you? Go on the offensive in your battle against ants by looking for nearby colonies. Ants living in your yard or basement are likely to find their way into your home eventually. The colony may even be in your home already.
You can follow an explorer ant as it leaves your kitchen to see if it leads you to a colony. Another solution is to look for common nest areas around your home.
Both solutions are much more effective when performed by a qualified pest control technician. Professional ant control offers solutions that won’t harm your family or pets and efficiently remove ants, spiders, and other invaders in your kitchen.
5. Work With Truly Nolen Pest Control
At Truly Nolen Pest Control, we take ant prevention seriously. Enjoy the warm spring weather without worrying about carpenter ants and other pests in Kitchener. Schedule an inspection today to enjoy a prompt inspection and our Four Seasons Program.
Neutralize nature’s intruders into your kitchen and keep your cooking area clean for you and your whole family. Discuss seasonal options with our technicians or sign on for a year-round prevention program that handles any pest.