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There are around 10,000 species of ants in the world, as per the internet. How many of these have you encountered so far? The most common ant types are the black ant, carpenter ant, fire ant, and the Pharaoh ant. Chances are, you must have come across at least one of the 4 types mentioned above.
Before we dig deep into this topic. Let’s first see how ants can damage homes and offices.
Keeping your home ant free this summer
Ants, despite their small size, can give you sleepless nights. Here are a few ways ants can destroy our peace of mind:
Structural Damage
Certain species of ants, such as carpenter ants, destroy wood to build their nests. If they have entered your property then over time, they can weaken the wooden furniture or structures of your home or office. Ants not only attack wooden furniture but they also damage beams and walls. While they do not devour wood like termites do, their nesting activities can still compromise the integrity of your precious wood items.
Electrical Damage
Ants are sometimes fascinated by electrical wiring due to the warmth and insulation it provides. They are known to chew through the wire cover (insulation), that can result in short circuits or even fires. This without doubt is a significant safety hazard. You may also end up paying for costly repairs of these electrical wirings.
Contamination
Ants can pollute or contaminate food left uncovered. If they walk over your kitchen counters, they can transfer bacteria and pathogens which they carry on their bodies to these surfaces. Needless to say, this may turn out to be health risks for occupants of such homes and offices. Ants can not only cause foodborne illnesses but also lead to allergic reactions.
Damage the infrastructure
In office buildings and commercial spaces, ants may permeate infrastructure components such as HVAC systems, plumbing, and insulation. This can lead to clogs, leaks, and inefficiencies in building systems, requiring costly repairs and maintenance.
Damage to plants
Ants may even destruct gardens, lawns, and landscaping features around homes and offices. Some species of ants cultivate aphids or scale insects for their honeydew, which can damage plants and interfere with their growth.
Nuisance
Large numbers of ants can create a nuisance for occupants of homes and employees in offices. They may bite inhabitants leading to rashes and itching. Ant trails and swarms can disrupt daily activities, and the presence of ants in living or working spaces can be unsettling and distracting.
Property devaluation
Severe ant infestations can diminish the aesthetic appeal and overall monetary value of your property. People in general do not wish to live on properties infested by pests of any kind, even ants. Potential buyers or tenants may be deterred by the presence of ants, making selling or leasing your home or office difficult.
To mitigate the risk of ant damage, it’s essential that you implement preventive measures such as regular inspection, sealing entry points, maintaining cleanliness, and addressing moisture issues. Additionally, you may seek professional pest control assistance to help identify and eradicate ant infestations before they cause significant harm.
How to keep ants away from your homes
You can easily protect your home from an ant infestation through a combination of preventive measures and natural deterrents. Here are ten effective ways to keep ants at bay:
- Maintain cleanliness: Cleanliness is next to godliness. We cannot say this enough. You should always keep your surroundings clean and tidy, especially kitchen and dining rooms where food is either prepared on consumed. Make it a habit to wipe down countertops, mop and sweep floors, and promptly remove food spills and crumbs to prevent ants from reaching them.
- Seal entry points: Check if your home or office has cracks, gaps, and openings from where ants can get in. Seal these entry points with caulk or silicone to prevent ants from entering your home or office.
- Store food properly: You must always keep food items, including pet food, in airtight boxes to prevent ants from smelling, detecting and accessing them. People tend to leave ripe fruits on countertops. These should also be stored in the refrigerators.
- Clean up outdoor debris: Trim trees and shrubs away from your home and remove junk, such as fallen leaves and branches, from around the perimeter of your property. Ants, and even other insects, often use these materials as bridges to gain access to your home.
- Use natural deterrents: Certain substances, such as cinnamon, peppermint oil, citrus peels, and vinegar, are natural ant deterrents. Sprinkle cinnamon or place cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil near entry points to repel ants.
- Create barriers: Draw a line of defence around your home by applying substances that ants dislike, such as diatomaceous earth, baby powder, or chalk, along entry points and around the perimeter of your house.
- Keep outdoor trash bins clean: Ensure that outdoor trash bins are tightly sealed and cleaned regularly to prevent them from becoming a source of food for ants.
- Fix moisture issues: Ants are attracted to moisture, so repair leaky pipes, faucets, and gutters to eliminate sources of standing water both inside and outside your home.
- Use bait traps: Place ant bait traps strategically near entry points and along ant trails. Ants will carry the bait back to their nest, effectively eliminating the colony.
- Regularly inspect and maintain: Make it a habit to routinely inspect your home for signs of ant activity and promptly address any issues. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can prevent ant infestations before they become a problem.
You can thus keep ants at bay by implementing these measures. This way you can maintain a pest-free environment. If you wish to hire a professional ants control company, then click on the link.
Read more: Summer pests in Dubai