What Attracts Ants Inside Your House?
Almost every homeowner has found themselves saying, “why are there ants in my house?” at least once in their lives. When it comes to household pests, ants are at the top of the list. According to the National Pest Management Association, ants have been named America’s #1 nuisance pest. These tiny insects easily invade homes and can be very difficult to eliminate without the help of a pest management professional. But the question still remains, “what is attracting ants into my house?” The following are the top four things that can attract ants to your home and what you should do if you have an ant infestation.
Table of Contents
- What Attracts Ants Inside Your House?
- Food
- Water and Moisture
- Plants and Flowers
- Shelter
- How Do Ants Get Into Your House?
- Milwaukee Ant Control: Let the Pros Handle Ants
Food
Ants are opportunistic scavengers and will eat almost anything that they can get their mandibles on. Ants are attracted to most types of human food, especially sweets. Ants are drawn to juices, candy, syrup, honey, and other rich sources of sugar. Once one or two foraging ants stumble upon these tasty treats, they will leave behind a pheromone trail to attract the rest of their colony, and you will soon have a huge ant infestation. Ants will also eat greasy foods, trash, meats, fungus, seeds, and other insects.
- Store food (especially sweets and sugars) in sealed containers
- Clean up any crumbs and spills
- Store ripened fruits in the refrigerator
Water and Moisture
Just like most living organisms, ants need a water source to survive. Leaky faucets, broken pipes, and condensation buildup are all potential sources of moisture that can attract nearby ants. Ants, like acrobat ants and carpenter ants, will also form nests inside damp wood.
- Repair leaky faucets and outdoor spigots
- Open a window or run a fan in the bathroom to prevent moisture buildup
- Run a humidifier in the basement to prevent moisture buildup
Plants and Flowers
Ants are naturally drawn to sweet fragrances, which flowers can emit. Potted plants are usually damp and provide ants a source of moisture. Other pests, such as aphids, are also attracted to indoor plants. Aphids produce a sweet substance called honeydew that is very attractive to ants.
- Inspect household plants before bringing them indoors
- Apply insecticides to the plant soil
- Repot the plant with new, fresh soil
Shelter
With a plentiful source of food and water, ants will form their nest nearby or even within your house. Common areas include walls, kitchen cabinets, crawl spaces, bathrooms, and basements. Some ants, like the carpenter ants, will also construct nests inside damp woodwork. A long-term carpenter ant infestation in a house can cause severe structural damage that may cost thousands of dollars in repairs.
How Do Ants Get Into Your House?
Ants are minuscule insects. They can easily invade your house through small cracks in walls, foundation, doors, windows, and flooring. Ants can also hitch a ride on houseplants and outdoor furniture. It is incredibly difficult to keep ants out, but sealing openings around doors and window frames will help reduce some entry points. The best way to keep ants out is to eliminate sources of food and water that attract them in the first place. Following the helpful tips mentioned above will definitely help prevent ant problems.
Milwaukee Ant Control: Let the Pros Handle Ants
At Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control, we understand how difficult ant infestations can be to remove and the headaches they cause homeowners and businesses. We are here to help! Our licensed pest management professionals conduct thorough home inspections to identify the ant species, the source, and the severity of the ant infestation.
Over-the-counter pesticides only eliminate the few foraging ants. Our commercial-grade ant bait gel treatments penetrate the nest and destroy the entire ant colony. Our pest specialists will also treat the exterior foundation and interior spaces to protect your home from these pests. Our family company has been solving ant problems in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin for over 30 years!
Have ants in your home? Give us a call today at (262) 242-4390 or send us a message.