Ants have invaded your living space for a reason. In most cases, ants are in search of food. Even the smallest crumbs represent massive meals for these diminutive pests. This is precisely why ants tend to infiltrate kitchens and dining rooms at especially high frequencies. Let’s take a closer look at why ants enter Houston homes and how they breach these living spaces.
Ants Want Your Food
Food draws ants into homes of all types. Though ants are not necessarily looking to establish a home in your living space, they are more than willing to venture indoors if they smell food. Food particles positioned by windows and doors are especially tempting to ants. These little buggers are particularly intrigued by food that is decomposing. Be sure to tie up your food remnants in a bag and put it in a garbage can sealed with a lid.
An Insufficient Door Seal
If your doors are not properly sealed, they will create an entryway for ants to enter your home. Ants will sneak in through the smallest of cracks. In particular, the space between your door and the floor might be spacious enough for ants to pass on through. If your door does not have a tight seal along the bottom, it is time to add one. It will be one less potential point of entry for ants.
Drought and Rain
The weather really does impact ant activity. Ants are inclined to enter living spaces when conditions are wet and cold. However, ant activity level in homes also spikes during periods of dry heat, usually in August and September.
Poorly-Sealed Windows
Windows that lack the proper sealing might be the source of your ant problem. Ants are smart enough to find these tiny points of entry and contort their bodies to fit through. Most windows gradually develop tiny cracks along the edges. Be sure to re-seal your windows at least once every couple years to prevent ants.
Kids and Furry Friends
Your pets and/or kids might be the real cause of your ant problem. After all, kids and pets are fairly messy. The mess your little one creates just might draw in the ants and other critters. Even a minor spill that you do not notice for a few hours can lead to a substantial ant invasion.
Ant Foraging in the Spring
Once spring arrives, ants send out scouts on missions to forage for sustenance. The scout ants leave behind an odorous trail that helps other ants follow in the same path toward food. This is precisely why ants likely pop up in the same portions of your kitchen and other parts of your home over and over again.
Ants Consider Your Home to be a Form of Shelter
Ants, just like every other living thing, are in search of food and shelter. Your home is likely kept at a comfortable temperature so it proves much more appealing than the greater outdoors. If ants have invaded your home, it really might boil down to these little critters simply looking for a comfortable living space. Unfortunately, some ants will remain in the walls, as these spaces are secluded and seemingly safe for colonies. If there are any holes in the floors, walls, windows and/or doors, they must be sealed promptly before ants infiltrate.
Ant Colonies Form Around the Home
In some situations, you are doing nothing wrong as a homeowner and the ants simply decide to form one or several colonies in your yard. Ant colonies serve as home bases of sorts. Ants will gradually shift from these bases into and around your home. If you notice ant colonies, reach out to our pest control experts for immediate assistance.