How Do Ants Get Inside Your Home?

For many Oklahomans, ants are an unavoidable problem during the spring and summer months. Out of nowhere, these small pests take over countertops, pet food bowls and windowsills. But where do these ants come from and how do they get inside of your home? In this article, we will look at some of the entry points that ants can use to find their way inside of a home and some of the ways that Emtec Pest Control can help keep them from staying.

Entry Points Used by Ants

Because of their small size, ants can utilize a variety of small entry points that a homeowner may not even know exists. This can include cracks and seams in walls or old windows that allow for air exchange with the outside world. Unfortunately, many of these gaps are large enough for ants to filter in through in search of food or water sources that can be brought back to a colony. But these cracks and seams may not be the only entry points that homeowners should worry about when trying to prevent ants from becoming a permanent guest.

One other critical entry point used by ants are the foundations of a home. While they are usually very strong, they often aren’t always airtight because of the gaps that occur naturally during construction as the materials settle. Most foundations aren’t constructed as solid blocks, meaning that there may be numerous pathways that ant colonies could be using to gain entry into the home through areas that you may not even be aware exist. Unfortunately, this same problem can occur with utility lines that weren’t properly sealed during construction. No two properties are the same and having an experienced professional on hand can ensure all of these entry points are identified before it’s too late.

With the wide variety of entry points that ants have available to make it inside of a home, what can a homeowner do to ensure they are safe from the threat of infestation? In many cases, working with a professional pest control company to create a comprehensive preventative plan and ongoing maintenance plan designed to seal entry points, treat for existing pest populations and discourage them from returning. 

What Ant Prevention Options Are Available?

When ants make their way inside your home, it is important to understand that DIY treatments may help remove the visible problem for a short period but won’t treat the existing colony that has already become established. This means that the ants are still present and potentially deteriorating the quality of a home. Emtec Pest Control has several prevention methods available to treat for existing ant populations and limit the chances of a potential ant infestation from occurring. All of these options can be found in further detail on our dedicated ant control page. Don’t wait until it’s too late to get started, Contact us today to learn what is possible when you retain or start your pest preventative plan.