Ants in the Kitchen? How to Get Rid of Ants with Cleaning Habits That Work
No matter how well you clean the counters, the ants come back like clockwork. While ants do not usually pose a threat, they can be a reason for valid annoyance. Some ants can also carry bacteria and germs into your food and cause a health hazard.
Texas weather and small kitchen habits contribute to recurring ant problems. The warm and rain-prone atmosphere makes it an easy way for ant infestation. Texas rain and its fluctuating weather can provide both warmth and soil moisture, which leads the ants towards indoor spaces.
Therefore, let us look at the six proven, eco-conscious cleaning strategies from Vella’s experts that go beyond sprays and traps to actually prevent ants from coming back, for good.
Why Ants Keep Coming Back
Ants can use the pheromone trails to easily find their way back.
This pheromone is not easy to clean up, which makes it a challenge to prevent continuous ant infestation. So, what is the solution?
Look out for hidden ant colonies in your home. Ant colonies in Texas homes can be found in any cracks in the walls, doors, or behind windows. Eliminate them at their roots to prevent any further attack.
Pheromone trails are left behind to guide other ants to food sources. This is why it is also important to clean up food particles and cover up overripe fruits.
How to Get Rid of Ants Without Harsh Chemicals
While getting rid of ants is hard, it does not mean you only need harsh chemicals to deal with them. Instead, here are some natural remedies that work just as effectively, without the side effects.
Natural elements like vinegar spray can help to clear scent trails. Use a mixture of baking soda, sugar bait, and lemon peels near entry points to ward the ants away.
While store-bought traps and sprays are easy and convenient to use, and are great for providing quick results, they are only good for temporary fixes. This is why you can often witness the ants coming back. To effectively eliminate them, you will need good-quality pest deterrents. Eco-safe pest deterrents are a great start.
Daily Cleaning Habits That Prevent Ants from Coming Back
Cultivate the habit of tidying your space daily for improved results with less effort. Use citrus-based cleaners to thoroughly wipe down counters, ensuring that crumbs and any pheromones left by ants are completely removed.
It is important to build regular kitchen cleaning habits. Sweep under furniture and kitchen appliances as well, at least twice a week. These are the areas that get overlooked easily. To avoid contamination, store food, especially sugar, flour, and cereals, in sealed containers.
Empty garbage daily and seal compost bins around your house. If you have pets, clean their pet bowls every time you feed them. Taking these necessary steps will maintain cleanliness in your house, and therefore ant invasion will be under control.
The Ants You Don’t See: Hidden Entry Points to Seal ASAP
Ants can hide easily in the nooks and crannies of your house that you don’t even know about. This is why it’s important to identify the typical entry spots like baseboards, windowsills, backsplash gaps, and under sinks. Now you can use pest deterrent gels to ward them off.
Use caulks to seal the entry spots and block their access. Weather stripping can be used for the same purpose as it can help to create airtight barriers around doors and windows. While using pest deterrents, use food-safe deterrents as they are naturally sourced and effective.
Pro tip: Check indoor plants, as soil often hosts ants.
Seasonal Cleaning Tips to Prevent Ant Infestations Year-Round
To prevent ant infestations all year round. Focus on consistent cleaning and eliminating factors that attract them, such as food and moisture, and deep clean at least every week or every other week.
- Spring: This is when you can deep clean the pantry and seal baseboards and close other entry points. This is the time when ants begin to make their space. Preventing that early on will help cut off an ant infestation completely.
- Summer: Make it a habit to empty outdoor trash bins regularly and wipe off patio furniture.
- Fall: Inspect your window screens and store sweets and other food items properly.
- Winter: Vacuum behind appliances and check for indoor nests in warm spots to begin preparing for springtime.
Tired or too busy to do it yourself. Rest up, Vella’s got you covered. We offer our cleaning services across Texas, including Austin and Fort Worth. Check our services and make your bookings.
FAQ: Your Top Ant Control & Prevention Questions Answered
- What scent keeps ants away naturally?
Scents of fresh citrus or peppermint are a good ant deterrent. You can keep black/red (cayenne) pepper sprinkled around. Keeping natural household items like citrus fruits, peppermint oil, lavender, or thyme spread around is also effective.
- Are DIY ant traps safe around pets?
If you want to keep your pets safe around DIY ant traps, it’s better to use non-toxic agents. You can also get non-toxic cleaning agents, preferred by professionals at Vella.
- Should I clean before or after using bait?
Cleaning before using bait is more effective, as the remaining food debris or other dirt can distract the ants. It is also recommended to wait after cleaning and before applying bait.
- Can ants live in walls?
Ants can dig their way inside walls as a means for protection, breeding space, and to store food. It is usually common for ants to build their nests in walls. If you find any cracks or wall cavities, seal them immediately.
- When should I call a professional?
DIY methods can only go so far. It is better to call professionals as soon as you notice an ant infestation, as they can grow rapidly. Professionals don’t only clean the place, but they also provide you with enough assistance on how to prevent further invasion.
Getting rid of ants isn’t about one big clean. It’s about forming consistent cleaning habits that keep ant or any insect infestation at bay.