Four No-Sweat Ant Prevention Tips For Jacksonville Homeowners

Do you like sharing your food? Most people will only share something they are eating with someone they are close to, like family members or friends. If some random person walked over while you were eating fries and took a few, you probably wouldn’t take that too kindly. This is what it is like to live with ants. Although small, these invasive pests cause big problems around homes. To help you keep ants out of your Jacksonville home, here are four no-sweat prevention tips you can try.

Step 1: Find Out What Types Of Ants Invade Homes

Not all ants like invading homes. Species that prefer moderate temperatures infest wall voids and build nests during times of extreme heat or cold. Most of the time, ants enter into homes to scavenge for food and return what they find to their colonies outdoors. Some common home-invading ants that live around our area include ghost ants, Pharaoh ants, carpenter ants, acrobat ants, Argentine ants, pavement ants, odorous house ants, crazy ants, and white-footed ants. 

Step 2 and 3: Learn Why Ants Invade Homes (And How To Keep Them Out)

Ants will invade a home for at least one of three reasons: they are hungry and looking for food, the weather outside is becoming unfavorable for their survival, or in the case of carpenter ants, they need your home’s wood to build their sprawling nests. Keeping these things in mind, several factors draw ants to invade your home. Here are just a few examples of things that make your home more susceptible to an ant infestation:

• Cracks, gaps, and holes in your home’s exterior foundation as well as window or doorframes.

• Broken or improperly installed window/door screens.

• Damaged weatherstripping.

• Exterior doors without door sweeps.

• Open and unscreened doors and windows.

• An excess of fallen fruit, nuts, and berries around your property.

• A dog or cat’s bowl of food.

• Any food left out in the open.

• Leaky pipes or fixtures around your home.

• Sources of water build up in your yard.

• Trash cans that don’t have tight-fitting lids. 

To prevent ants from coming inside and causing trouble, your goal should address as many of the above issues as possible. Seal up your home’s exterior using a caulking gun to fill any openings you find. Repair damaged weather stripping, screens, and door sweeps. Address any moisture issues you find and consider using a dehumidifier indoors. Finally, keep your home clean and store leftover foods inside airtight containers. As a bonus tip, wash out your pet’s food and water bowls after finishing each meal. 

Step 4: Understand That Calling A Professional Is Your Best Choice To Handle Ants 

Ants are often tricky pests to eliminate. If you regularly find these invasive insects crawling around inside your Jacksonville home, your best option is to get a pest control professional involved. At Lindsey Pest Services, we offer a range of general pest control services that cover a wide range of troublesome house guests, including ants. 

We also offer specialty services to handle wood-destroying pests like termites and carpenter ants. To find a plan that best fits your individual needs, contact our team today. One of our friendly service representatives will walk you through your options and help you find one that not only fits your needs but your budget.