Ant Prevention

Serving Chicago Illinois and Indiana

It is notoriously difficult to get rid of ants. Given their small size and persistence, even a small trail can turn into a huge ant colony before you know it! Many species in Illinois and Indiana also multiply rapidly, which is why infestations often feel endless. While it isn’t easy to treat an ant problem, there are a lot of simple steps you can take to prevent ants from getting into your home in the first place. To help you out, the experts at Terminix Anderson have laid out their top ant prevention tips!

Types of Ants in Illinois and Indiana

There are many types of ants–the United States alone has more than 700! Thankfully, there are just a few you’re likely to encounter in or near your property. It’s important to know which type of ant you’re dealing with in order to better prepare yourself for how to get rid of them. A few of the most common types of ants you’ll likely encounter in our area are:

• Odorous house ants (or “sugar ants”)
• Carpenter ants
• Pavement ants
• Field ants

How to Keep Ants Away Naturally

Like just about any creature, ants will hang out wherever they can comfortably live. Since our houses have plenty of food, water, and shelter, they’re the perfect places for a colony to thrive. That’s why great ant prevention involves both limiting what attracts ants and sealing off the paths they might take to get in. If you want to keep ants away, try these tips:

• Keep a clean home. Sweep your floors regularly to get rid of crumbs. Ants are attracted to sugary food sources and a few crumbs will keep them coming back for more.
• Store your food. Avoid leaving food out uncovered. Keep food in airtight containers or store them safely in cupboards and fridges.
• Seal entry points. Ants can crawl through the tiniest of cracks. Inspect your property and use caulk to seal any gaps, holes, or potential entry ways.
• Get rid of excess moisture. Areas with standing water or leaks will attract ants quickly. Attend to broken pipes and clean up spills quickly.
• Trim back trees and vegetation. Plants close to your home can encourage ants to come in. Make sure tree branches, shrubs, and bushes are trimmed away from the house.

How to Remove Ant Pheromone Trails

Pheromone trails are chemical markers laid down by ants to communicate with one another. Other ants detect these chemical cues and follow the trail to food sources, reinforcing the trail with their own pheromones. This process leads to the establishment of a strong, persistent trail—and that’s why you often see ants wandering through the same exact places. 

To effectively prevent ants, you’ll need to disrupt and remove the pheromone trails. Simply killing the ants won’t resolve the problem, as new ones will just follow the existing trails. To remove ant pheromone trails that could be attracting ants, try wiping down infested areas with one of these solutions:

• Mix of water and vinegar: Using a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar will help neutralize ant pheromones. 
• Dish soap and water: Dish soap can also be effective at eliminating the chemicals. Use a few drops in warm water. 
• Ant-specific cleaners: There are commercial cleaners available designed for this purpose, but remember to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. 

Why Do I Still Have Ants?

One of the main issues with most at-home ant control strategies is that simply getting rid of the ants you see will only either delay or worsen your problem. Many people try to get rid of ants in the house by squashing the ants that they find or spraying them with a store-bought insecticide product. 

The problem here is that ants release a pheromone signal when they die telling their colony members that the area is dangerous. When ants sense this signal, they will adjust their approach to access your home from a new location. Ants are small and sneaky enough to the point that your home is probably riddled with potential entryways!

If you already have ants, your best bet is working with a licensed exterminator. When it comes to ant problem prevention, it’s always best to consult an ant exterminator who can pinpoint what attracts ants to your home in the first place.

Professional Ant Control in Illinois and Indiana

If you’ve been dealing with an endless ant trail in your home this summer, reach out to your local ant exterminators at Terminix Anderson. Our technicians have experience dealing with all of the common ant species across Illinois & Indiana. No matter what kinds of ants you’re dealing with or how they’re getting inside, our team can eliminate them and keep them out for good. Contact us today for a free quote!