Every spring and summer, ants culminate outside my home, ready to invade!
Being a pest control enthusiast, I am there waiting to flex my pest control muscles. Usually armed with something else, I test to see if it gets rid of ants.
One of the first things you need to understand when dealing with ants, or anything else, is why they are there.
Take ants, for instance.
What are ants attracted to?
Once you understand that, you have won half the battle. Not only can you get rid of them, but you will understand what to do to stop them from returning!
I want ants to come back because I have to test these DIY methods!
Let’s look at 9 things that attract ants to your home.
Ants are one of the most common pests that could enter your home. One day there are none, and the next day you suddenly see hundreds of ants!
Almost all ants live in large colonies of thousands, if not millions of pests.
If ants enter your home, they can cause structural damage and contamination issues. Some ants may even bite you, generating a painful or unpleasant reaction.
To get rid of them, you should understand what they are attracted to. Here are the 9 most common things that attract ants.
1. Food Resources
When ants are on the lookout for food, nothing is beyond limits. These tiny creatures will explore various meals, but sweet items are particularly appealing to them. This is when your home becomes vulnerable, as ants will be attracted to anything from a minor particle of a sugar cube to a slice of cake left on the counter. Ants are attracted to sugary treats!
It doesn’t take a lot of sugar to entice them in.
Every ant creates a scent trail while foraging. That not only assists in their return to the nest but also helps other insects to follow the path in the opposite direction.
One ant is enough to invite an army of ants to your home.
2. Ants Look for Water!
Ants also need to get hydrated. Unlike most humans, they do not have a constant source of water supply. That is why they’re always in search of water.
Your home provides this.
Ants can carry water drops back to their colony, where they can store them for later use. Your bathtubs, garage, backyard, and kitchen are like an oasis in a desert for these little creatures. Also, it could be the reason why you have ants near your swimming pool if you have one.
Keeping your washing areas dry is a great way to keep ants away (especially in dry and hot seasons).
3. Your Home Might Have a Cozy Spot for Them!
Another big draw for these little creatures is a cozy and comfortable colony where these ants could spend extreme weather.
As you may know, the reproduction of ants is quite complex. The fertile males die right after sharing the bed with their queen. So, this colony needs a cozy home where they could flourish and develop.
Guess what? Your household provides all luxuries that ants seek to have.
Building a colony in your house means getting every vital resource within walking distance. They will simultaneously have a constant supply of water, warmth, food, and humidity. This makes your home an unimaginably exceptional habitat for them.
This is what attracts them.
These ants are very vulnerable inside your house. They can damage electric wires, insulation, and wooden structures.
If not appropriately dealt with, their infestation can cause massive destruction, including short circuits and blackouts. Cleaning their infestation should be an utmost priority.
If you do not want to take these ants on yourself, speak to a professional pest control expert.
Try sealing gaps, cracks, and holes in your home. This will block their path, and eventually, they will find another residence.
4. Dog Food
Ants will discover a way into your home whether you live in the country or a dense city! These bugs are common all across the planet and always looking for new food sources.
You have a natural ant attractant if you have a dog!
Because dog chow is naturally scented, it attracts ants. A majority of dog owners may occasionally have to battle ant invasions.
It’s critical to deal with ant infestations as early as possible.
Dogs have no idea what’s going on. Regardless of the infestation, they may eat the food, resulting in unpleasant bites and possible stomach issues.
Most ants require a lot of dietary protein, and pet meals provide it at adequate levels. As a result, ants will swarm your pet’s food if it’s left out for them to find.
Check bowls and bags and see if any insects have taken up residence.
5. Flowers Do Not Attract Only Humans!
Flowers and plants do not attract only humans. The scent of many flowers is a natural attractant for ants. Be advised that ants do not eat any flowers but are drawn towards them for several reasons.
Flowers are typically damp, which means they provide a valuable source of moisture for interested ants.
Aphids and other pests attracted to indoor plants, such as aphids, can leave behind residues that ants find appealing.
6. Any Other Ant Infestation
These ants coexist in colonies naturally.
They consistently choose a place where they can communicate with other ants. Their colonies are gigantic and more enormous than their body size.
If you have spotted an ant infestation in your home, you might have many other infestations. As said earlier, a single ant is enough to invite an army of ants. So, try to find those hidden infestations.
Generally, some ants are significantly larger than others. For example, Black House Ants and Coastal Brown Ants nest around homes or yards, so if you see one, its family is close.
Other ants, such as the White-Footed House Ant, will divide their nest into smaller groups, making it more difficult to eradicate them.
7. Trash Cans
Trash cans are home to a variety of insects. Guess what? Ants find these trash cans as a luxury 5-star hotel with mouth-watering cuisine.
Emptying your trash cans regularly is an exceptional practice to keep these tiny creatures away.
The things we throw away as trash is like a buffet for ants. Sugars, minerals, oils, and proteins are all present, all of the ants’ essential dietary needs.
When all dumpsters are full or include meat/produce scraps, ensure they are well sealed.
8. Oh, Yes! Ants Like Fats too!
Don’t you love a cheesy pizza with extra toppings? Ants also thrive on getting oils and fats in their diet. As you know, there are different kinds of ants.
Some ants might find grease and fats not interesting, but for some ants, it is a full-fledged diet.
For example, Pharaoh’s Ants will travel great distances to search for fatty foods such as oil and butter. To remove any grease leftovers in your house, use alcohol to wipe them up.
9. Seal up the Openings
Cracks and openings give a pass-free entry to these tiny invaders. Ants always choose the safest and the shortest route to their destination.
Seal up any minor crack if you find one.
If your house’s foundation has cracks or broken window frames, fix them immediately to keep bugs out.
Prevention of an Ant Invasion
Preventative measures are generally the most effective approach to keep ants out of your house.
Having a clean house, clearing spills, and wiping off surfaces will help.
Discard rotten vegetables or fruits, and store sugar-based products like jams and cakes in sealed containers out of reach.
Ants can be deterred by using natural ingredients such as salt, turmeric powder, or paprika sprinkled around known access locations.
Unfortunately, once the insects are inside, picking them up and releasing them, or killing them on the scene, would not prevent more guests from arriving due to the scent trails already set.
Whatever method you use to remove the ants, the region must be carefully cleaned with a strong detergent to erase the ant’s fragrance trail. This trail would attract more ants.
That’s why removing this trail is pretty crucial.
Conclusion
This post has given you the top 9 things that attract ants.
Now you have this information at your disposal; you can help deter these tiny pests from your home.
Ants need a place to set up their colony, which might be in your yard. There isn’t much you can do to stop them from setting up a colony, but you can disperse them when they do.
Boiling water is a good solution for getting rid of many ants at a time. You should also consider using vinegar, lemon, or bleach to eliminate ants.
After spending the entire night lying awake in a cockroach-infested hotel, I have driven myself to build knowledge on all things pest control. Since then, I've tested pest control techniques to see what works and what doesn't. Now, here I am giving you all the info I have learned!
