Its better to know how to prevent ants than to have to search all over the internet on how to get rid of them. We’ve all at some point dealt with bugs in our lives, and its no fun at all. In order to prevent any type of problem, we need to get a deeper understanding on the problem itself first.
Lets learn a little bit about ants to understand how and why they come around in the first place. Ants are known to commonly live outside in the ground, hills and/or nests. Often, the six-legged workers emerge from winter season where they’ve spent their time hibernating until temperatures rise. You’re bound to see ants (sent out out by colonies and their Queen) between Spring and Autumn, this is the time for them to look for food and water.
Ants leave a scent trail for themselves and other ants. They also call out for other ants when you kill one or when you “squish” a bunch at once. So now, back to the question: what can you do to prevent ants in your apartment or home?
Maintain Cleanliness
First things first, you have to make sure that you’re not playing any part with the infestation by unintentionally inviting them. Here are a few tips with how to keep your place clean daily:
- Wash dishes daily. Small crumbs or spilt sugary drinks will attract bugs. Make it your goal to have all dishes washed before you go to bed. Think of it as a way to not have more to wash the next day.
- Store food in strong, airtight containers, preferably glass. Make sure to store sugar and flour.
- Keep your fruits and vegetables in your refrigerator. Most of us prefer our fruits room temperature but keeping your fruits outside can attract fruit flies.
**If you have food in a plastic package, hold up one end of the bag to get the grains to the bottom. Check for white threads in the corner of the bag, these can be a sign of larvae infestation.
- Vacuum at least once a week. Sweep and mop regularly.
Dry Up
- Avoid leaving standing water in your sink, bathtub, and showers. Roaches need to find sources of water regularly and can go weeks without eating.
- Check underneath your sinks for any drips or leaks. Water and a dark cabinet is appealing for unwelcomed pest.
Seal Up
- Seal up any cracks you might find on the floor, wall and any gaps around walls and cabinets.
- Larger gaps can be stuffed with steel and wool. This prevents critters from entering through.
Now this is not to say that ants or other critters won’t appear. These are just a few ways to help lower your chances of coming across ants. If they do appear, do look into professional pest control.
For more tips from your local Pasadena property management company visit our blog.