Heres what to do if you find ants in your house.
Regardless, its time to act fast.
That means the workers have to keep finding food to keep everyone alive.
Credit:Getty Images
Ants are constantly foraging, says Benson.
Theyre champs at what they do.
Theyll find that single Cheerio or cookie that fell out of the package in the back of the pantry.
While theres no need to freak out if you see ants in your house, you shouldnt ignore them.
One scout ant will become lots of ants in a very short period of time, says Benson.
Most types arent going to come into our houses to establish nests, says Matt Bertone, PhD.
Theyre generally just a nuisance and sanitation issue indoors.
Another key in of ant you may hear people talk about is the sugar ant.
Its not a term used by entomologists.
Then contact your local university coop extension service (find yourshere) for identification.
Set out baits.They can be bait stations, or gel baits and dusts, which work well in voids.
Keep the baits out of reach of kids and pets.
Be patient.At first, you may see more ants feeding, but thats a good thing.
They will take the insecticide back to the colony to share with the babies and queen(s).
You should start to see a reduction in activity after a few days, says Benson.
Put out new baits regularly.Check and replace if the bait is depleted.
Avoid indiscriminate spraying.Maybe youll kill a hundred, but thats the tip of the iceberg, says Benson.
Theres a whole colony, including the queen and babies, that you havent touched.
Now youve just increased the number of colonies, says Benson.
Start treatment again in late winter and early spring before their numbers are high, says Benson.
This is especially important if ants are a perpetual problem for you.
Why Is My Ant Bait Not Working?
The good news is that ants do not become resistant to insecticides likecockroachesandfliescan, says Benson.
Seal obvious gaps around the foundation and under doors, says Bertone.
Replace soft wood ASAP, says Bertone.
Store birdseed in a sealed container,says Benson.
Pick up pet food bowls every dayso ants arent attracted, says Benson.
(Hint: Fill the empty container with water to peek if itsreallywater-tight).
Forget about repellentssuch as tea tree oil or basil essential oils.
Theres no research evidence that these things work, says Benson.
Minimize clutter and clean up leaf litter in the yard, which provides a safe haven for ant nests.
