How Ant Infestations Start In Western Massachusetts Homes

There are many reasons why ants might get into your Western Massachusetts home. Today, we're going to take a look at the most common reasons and offer up some tips to help you get control of ant problems inside your home. Here's what you should know.

Ants Get In Because They Can

When ants crawl around near your home, they're going to come inside if they find a pathway. If you take the time to inspect the exterior of your home and seal entry points, it will go a long way toward preventing issues with ants on the inside of your home. This can be a lot of work, so homeowners in Western Massachusetts often have someone take care of this for them, both on the outside and the inside of their homes. Some of the tasks may include:

The application of caulking to gaps around door and window frames, foundation wall cracks, and gaps around pipes.

• The installation or replacement of weatherstripping and door sweeps on exterior doors.
• The replacement of damaged window or door panes.
• The replacement of damaged or rotting wood.
• The application of caulking to wood holes.
• The replacement of damaged window and door screens.
• The application of a liquid repair kit to foundation walls.
• The application of caulking around pipes in kitchen and bathroom sink cabinets.

Ants Get In Because They Have A Nest Close By

The more ants you have crawling around in your landscaping and exploring your exterior walls, the more trouble you'll have with ants on the inside of your home. Ants are tiny, it doesn't take much of an opening for them to gain access to your home. While you can deter them by sealing obvious entry points, there are many openings ants can use that are difficult to see. This is why reducing ants around your home can have a big impact. There are a few ways to do this.

• Keep the soil around your home as dry as possible: Many ant species are attracted to damp habitats. If you have a moist exterior, you're likely to have more trouble with ants. You can reduce moisture by making sure your gutter system is properly working to channel water away from your home.
• Keep your landscaping as dry as possible: Moist landscaping can cause your plants to be unhealthy, and this can attract aphids. If aphids attack your plants, they can become an attractant for ants. Aphids excrete honeydew, which is a sweet and desirable food source for many kinds of ants.
• Keep your trash in containers and keep your containers as clean as possible: Ants can smell rotting organic matter and this can lure them in close to your home and inspire them to create a nest.

Ants Get In Because They Find Food In Your Home

Long before you see a large number of ants in your home, a few worker ants will get in and explore. If these ants don't find what they're looking for, then they won't tell other ants to come in. You can reduce ant problems and prevent an infestation by keeping the interior of your home as clean as possible. You can also prevent a nest from being established in your wall voids. Some ant species can nest in your home. When their workers find ideal conditions, they can create an interior nest and plague you even more.

Ants Get In Because They Find Moisture In Your Home

A home that is humid, or that has damp areas, is more likely to have ant issues. It can be hard work dealing with interior moisture problems because you might need plumbing fixed or areas of wood rot repaired. But there are a few things you may be able to tackle yourself. 

• Repair leaky faucets and showerheads.
• Install dehumidifiers in humid spaces.
• Use your bathroom fan during showers and baths.

When You Need Help

If you're having trouble with ants in Western Massachusetts, let the team here at American Pest Solutions help you get control of them. We use industry-leading pest control strategies and we leverage over a century of pest control experience to identify, target, and eliminate ants with eco friendly pest solutions such as granulars and baits. If you have questions, we have answers. Reach out to American Pest Solutions today and tell us about your pest problems. In most cases, we can provide a quote right over the phone. If not, we can send someone to your home to perform an environmental audit and determine what is needed to naturally control ants and other pest pressures found around your home.

We've been helping property owners in Western Massachusetts get control, and keep control, of pests since 1913. We can help you get the results you're looking for.