4 Tips to Prevent Autumn Ants

No one wants ants showing up to their Thanksgiving table. Homeowners can find themselves with an ant problem in the fall just as easily as in the spring and summer. We tend to notice an influx of ants coming into homes when the weather changes as they are foraging for food and water before winter hits. With temperatures dropping lately, we thought now would be a good time to give everyone some tips on what you can do to prevent autumn ants from invading your home.

1.Contain Food and Trash

All people food and pet food should be stored in sealed containers. It’s best to keep all of your produce in the refrigerator or freezer instead of on the counter to ripen, but if you must keep it out, then try a hanging basket because ants are less likely to get at those. Another common vulnerable place are trashcans and recycling bins. Try to use tight-fitting lids there and if you can, store them inside a cabinet or cupboard.

2. Do a Thorough Cleaning

Fall Cleaning is just as important as Spring cleaning. Be especially vigilant when cleaning the kitchen. Here is an efficient to-do list for kitchen cleaning: Dust everything first, then clean out the upper cabinets, wipe down the countertops including under appliances, thoroughly clean the stove top including under any grates or knobs, next clean out the bottom cabinets, and finish off with sweeping and mopping the floors. Make sure you get all of the crumbs from under your stove, refrigerator, and cabinets!

3.Inspect and Seal All Entry Points in Home’s Exterior

Get outdoors and walk around the perimeter of your home. Scour the exterior of your entire home looking for any foundation cracks, gaps in bricks or planks, and tiny crevices around windows or doors. Once you’ve located all of the possible entry points, then seal them up using caulking or sealant or weatherstripping.

4.Get Regular Pest Control Inspections and Annual Overall Pest Protection

We strongly believe that pest control works best when it goes hand-in-hand with a homeowner’s own pest prevention and vice versa. The ant experts at Emtec Pest Control even offer a free professional home inspection to get you started.