If you're seeing ants in your home, they could be living inside your home or they could be living just outside of your home. Most ants prefer to live in the ground; when they come in, they grab food and bring it back to their exterior nest. But some ants choose to establish nests inside wall voids and/or in other secretive locations within a home. One type of ant—the carpenter ant—does damage to your home as it chews tunnels inside wood timbers to create galleries for nesting. This type of ant can live in your home and never raid your kitchen cabinets or pantry. It is important to learn what kind of ants have gotten into your Chandler home. We recommend reaching out to a licensed pest management professional for ant identification. If ants haven't gotten into your home yet, here's what you need to know about keeping them out.

Ants Get In Because They Can

ants crawling on a bowl with spoon
When ants explore the outside of your home, they come in by accident. They don't know that you have food in your home. They take advantage of gaps, cracks, and holes that are available. Carpenter ants can make holes if holes aren't present. They tunnel into rotted wood. The first step in ant prevention is to repair areas that are rotted. Once that is done, consider the following tips for ant exclusion:
  • Inspect areas of your foundation where pipes enter your home. These are notorious entry points for ants because pipes can have gaps around them.
  • Inspect your exterior doors for gaps in weatherstripping and damaged door sweeps.
  • Inspect your windows for damaged screens, broken glass panes, and gaps around frames.
  • Inspect your foundation wall for cracks. You may be able to fix cracks with a foundation repair kit.

Ants Stay In Because They Find Food

 
When ants come in, whether to stay permanently or to locate food and go back outside, they're inspired by available food sources. Your goal should be to hide food from ants. Consider the following tips:
  • Keep your stored food products in sealed containers. This will also help with the control of pantry pests.
  • Keep your home as clean as possible.
  • Clean spills up as soon as possible.
  • If you have kids, look behind couches and under beds for food sources that have been left.
  • Consider only eating food in the kitchen or dining room.

Ants Stay In Because Of Moisture

 
Many ant species are drawn to moist habitats. When they get in, they stay in locations of high humidity. Addressing moisture and humidity makes your home less comfortable for ants. This could cause them to go back outside.
 
  • Fix leaky faucets.
  • Unclog drains that are allowing water to pool in your shower, tub, or sinks.
  • Use your ventilation fan when taking a shower or bath.
  • Install fans and ventilate areas that stay humid.
  • Install dehumidifiers where necessary.

Ants Get In Because They Are Near Your Home

 
There are many factors that can attract ants to your home. If you address these attractants, you'll have fewer ants. If you have fewer ants, your chances of an ant infestation inside your home will go down.
  • Reduce moisture near your home by inspecting your gutters and cleaning obstructions.
  • Remove leaf piles and leaf litter.
  • Make sure your trash is in covered containers, and make sure your containers don't have an odor.
  • Move bird feeders away from your exterior walls. Some ants eat birdseed and hummingbird feeders are a sweet and tasty treat for ants that have a sweet tooth such as some species of carpenter ants.

Ant Control In Chandler

If you want the best control possible, take a look at the year-round pest service from Green Home Pest Control. Ants can present a risk to your health and property, and there are many other pests that present even greater threats. No Chandler home should be without a pest plan. Let us guide you in selecting the right solution for your specific needs and budget. There is no better way to get control of ants. Reach out to us today and get your protection in place.