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PETALUMA — Ant infestations are a common problem in homes, especially during winter and summer. Many homeowners assume that using an over-the-counter insecticide is the best way to treat for ants. In reality, insecticides aren’t particularly effective against ants—they just cause them to scatter. An equally effective way to treat for ants is to wipe away the trail with a wet, soapy washcloth or sponge. This will do the same job and you won’t have to bring insecticide into your home.
Before removing the ants, it’s a good idea to track the trail and see if you can determine where they’re coming from. If you can get a rough idea of where the infestation originated, this information will be helpful for your pest control technician, should you choose to hire one.
Besides finding out where the ants are coming from, see if you can determine what attracted them to your home. Ants don’t just haphazardly enter a home—they do so because they’re attracted by food or food residue. One commonly overlooked attraction is containers in the recycling bin, which is why it’s smart to rinse out empty food and drink containers before discarding them. Even better, consider storing your recycling bin away from the kitchen area if possible. This is just one example of how you can minimize factors that may attract ants to your home.