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Visit SiteYou may be able to exterminate ants without calling in a professional, though more severe infestations will require a stronger approach. Some ant species, like carpenter ants, can cause structural damage to your house if not treated immediately. Other infestations might be harder to eliminate due to a colony resisting natural and chemical extermination solutions.
Take note of where you’re seeing the ants. They may run along your baseboards, emerge from holes under cabinets, or pop out of cracks in your walls or floors, particularly if your house is older. There may be other exterior entry points to your home, including visible ant colonies in your front or back yard or cracks in your driveway.
The key to getting rid of ants in your home is to take out the colony, and finding the colony is easier when you can identify the type of ant invading your space. Here are some common ants, their differentiating characteristics, and where you might locate their colonies:
When you locate the colony—the source of your ant infestation—the next step is to eliminate any pheromone trails made by the ants. Pheromone trails are basic scent trails that ants leave behind for other ants to join them in finding food and water. When you identify the source of the ants, you can eliminate the entire ant colony by getting rid of the existing trail.
Natural methods are safer for your home environment than traditional chemical solutions—especially in highly trafficked areas or family spaces like the kitchen or playroom. Here’s how to get rid of ants naturally.
Chemical remedies will work effectively, though they can prove harmful children or pets. When using chemical solutions, make sure to read instructions carefully and consult a professional if you are covering a large area.
Once ants are in your house, they can become a pesky and recurring nuisance. Now that you’ve learned how to get rid of ants in your home, follow these tips to prevent ants from infesting your home in the future:
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