The Ants Are Here

Have you been battling bugs this summer? Chances are ants are your problem. Exterminators say the ant population has been particularly pesky this year simply because we had a very wet winter with a lot of snow, a damp spring and a rainy summer. All that helps ants multiply and then they find ways into your home.

Ants may not be known for transmitting serious diseases, but in large numbers they are certainly an unpleasant nuisance. At the same time, they may have come through dirty or unpleasant places on their way into your home, and can make food unfit for human consumption – they can also bite and cause allergic reactions.

Steve Anderson from SDA Pest Control says he's been extra busy this summer responding to calls about ants bugging homeowners. Why? Steve doesn't know. But he does have some tips on how to keep ants from making themselves at home in your house.

His number one tip – keep your house clean. Store all food and household waste in sealed or covered containers or bins, and if you find ants have been in any of your food, dispose of it immediately. If you leave too much food out for birds or wild animals, bear in mind that this can also be a magnet for unwanted pests like ants.

The second most important tip is to make sure your home is water-proof from the basement to the attic. "All insects including cockroaches, ants, and silverfish are attracted to moisture or dampness. So if there's standing water around your house or your gutters are blocked up and overflowing into your garden, you will be more susceptible to insect invasions."

His third tip is it's always wise to call in a professional. "If you have a basement, have a good inspection underneath the house, and outside at least once a year by a professional pest control company," Steve said. "And those pest control inspections are generally free if you just have someone come out and look."

Steve says there are products that you can pick up at your local DIY store or garden centre that you can apply yourself to get rid of ants. Two of the best include Nippon and Terro Ant Killer. But Steve advises against using professional formulas like boric acid, which work really well but can have nasty side effects if applied incorrectly.

Steve says if you try to get rid of the ants and they just won't bug off, you're best best is to call in the experts to march them out of the house.

Article provided by SDA Pest Control