Jul 14, 2017, 11:32 AM by Fred Speer

As summer temperatures rise and moisture sources disappear, you may discover that ants are seeking harborage inside your home. This is where the Clark Man can help.

On the inside of your home, ants can be found in kitchens, bathrooms, closets, and bedrooms. They often can be found near food and moisture sources under sinks, in cupboards and pantries, and along pipes and electrical wires.

Ants are drawn to sugar, syrup, honey, fruit juice, fats, and meat. The sight of long and winding ant trails – sometimes containing thousands of ants – heading from their nest to food sources definitely raises an eyebrow or two.

Preventing ants from entering your home starts by denying them access. Ants typically will establish trails along the structural features of your home – utility wires, pipes, and foundations – to enter or move about your home. Openings should be caulked or filled with the appropriate materials.

On the exterior of your home, ants will nest near plants where honeydew – a sugary liquid substance that ants enjoy feasting on – is produced as a waste product by such insects as aphids, mealy bugs, soft scale insects, and whiteflies.

It’s a good idea to maintain a plant-, grass- and mulch-free barrier of 6 to 8 inches around the foundation of your home to remove potential ant nesting locations. It’s also a good move to fix leaky faucets and sprinkler heads to eliminate excess moisture.

And, when you can, avoid planting trees and shrubs where honeydew-producing insects gather next to your home, and trim tree limbs back to prevent them from touching your structure. You don’t want to provide an easy access point for ants.

The Clark Man also recommends the following tips to keep ants in check:

• Seal cracks and crevices on the interior of your home, especially in kitchens and other food-preparation and storage areas.
• Eliminate moisture sources, such as leaky faucets and broken sprinkler heads.
• Store food items that attract ants, such as sugar, syrup, honey, and pet food, in closed containers that have been washed to remove residues from outer surfaces.
• Rinse out empty soft drink containers before placing them in the garbage or recycling container.
• Thoroughly clean up grease and spills.
• Remove garbage on a daily basis and change liners frequently.
• Look for indoor nesting sites, such as in the soil of potted plants.

If you’re experiencing a problem with ants or others pests, call or text (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or drop me an email at clarkcares@clarkpest.com.

Until next time I’m the Clark Man, and thanks for helping me keep unwanted pests out of your home.