Fool-Proof Ant-Proofing Tips

Ants are a fact of life in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, ant season is only just beginning. After a wetter winter, ant problems become a serious nuisance for homeowners. And if you’ve ever had ants before, you know they can be downright frustrating to get rid of. As the weather warms up, it’s important to know how to prevent ants in your property. Ant-proofing your property can work to keep ants from making themselves at home. Keep reading for expert ant prevention tips from the team here at Batzner Pest Control!

What Are Ants Attracted to in Homes?

Ants are like any other pest in that they are constantly looking for sources of food and water. They typically make their way indoors through cracks and crevices in your foundation, or through windows. Once inside, they are drawn to areas with excess moisture and will hide in crevices. Kitchens tend to be a hot spot for infestations. If you have crumbs on your counter tops, stove top, or floor, you can be sure ants will find them. They are also attracted to excess moisture problems–if you have a leaky faucet or pipe that causes a surplus of humidity or moisture, ants will likely be drawn to the area.

Best Ant-Proofing Tips

Ants are opportunists and infestations can be unpredictable. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can go about ant-proofing your property. Some of the best ways to prevent ants are as follows.

1. Inspect the foundation of your home and seal any cracks or crevices using a silicone-based caulk.
2. Keep any pet food bowls clean and always clean up after messes and spills. Pick pet bowls up off the floor after meal times.
3. Make sure downspouts and gutters are all functioning properly so that water is flowing away from the foundation.
4. Regularly check under sinks for excess moisture problems and repair leaky pipes promptly.
5. Trim trees and shrubbery in your yard to be at least 6 inches away from the home.
6. Wipe down any counter tops and sweep floors regularly to clean up spills and remove crumbs.
7. Store food (including pet food) in airtight containers and refrigerate ripe fruit.
8. Dispose of garbage on a regular basis and use trash cans with a tight-fitting lid.

What to Do When You Have Ants

You’ve done all you can to prevent ants but are still having issues with ant trails–what now? Although there are many store-bought and DIY methods to get rid of ants, your best chance is always to use a professional ant exterminator. At Batzner, our team can control any current pest problems you’re having as well as prevent future ones from happening with expert ant-proofing tips.