Lakewood residents know about the cold and dealing with winter conditions like snow, blustery winds, and frozen pipes. The residents also know that odorous house ants, carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, and other pesky six- legged insects will be trying to move in with them.
Ants are one of the primary Lakewood pest control concerns during the winter and immediately following the winter. Ants move inside, looking for better living conditions when the temperatures start to plummet and the snow begins to fall. Your home offers food, moisture, shelter, and warmer temperatures, so the ants pack their bags and start hunting for a way inside.
How To Tell If You Have An Ant Infestation
We do not want to be the bearers of bad news. Still, if you suspect an ant infestation in your Lakewood home, there is more than likely an infestation already present.
Odorous house ants and carpenter ants are two common species in our area. The signs of an odorous house ant infestation are different from the signs of black carpenter ants in your home.
Common signs of odorous house ant infestations and similar ant presences are:
- Seeing the ants themselves
- Finding an ant nest near a water source
Common signs of black carpenter ants in your home include seeing the ants and seeing small holes in wood which may have sawdust-like shavings near the holes. Carpenter ants drill these holes to make homes for their young in the wood.
How Ants Could Have Gotten Inside Your Lakewood Home
If you have ants living in your home with you, one of the biggest questions on your mind is how they got inside. They usually gain entry through holes, cracks, or gaps around doors or in your exterior siding. Several types of wires and cables, pipes, and conduits come into your home. Around those cables and pipes, you will often find a hole that the ants can use to get inside.
Ants in Lakewood may also hitch a ride inside the home on pieces of wood you bring to burn in the fireplace. Ants are very tiny, and it is easy for them to find a way inside without you noticing them. Older homes often have deteriorating wood, and because of this, ants find it easier to get inside them.
Five Eco-Friendly Ant Prevention Tips
The best way to get rid of ants in your Lakewood home is to prevent them from ever moving in. We recommend the following five prevention tips to all Lakewood residences.
- Keep branches and vegetation away from your house.
- Seal all cracks and crevices to keep the ants from entering.
- Store all food in airtight containers, including pet food.
- Fix any leaking faucets because water is one of the leading attractions.
- Keep firewood and debris at least eight to ten feet away from the home.
You can also ensure dirty dishes are never left to pile up, clean up spills and crumbs quickly, and keep trash in a closed container. Unfortunately, you cannot be 100% effective at preventing an ant invasion. Ants nest in your home and using DIY sprays and treatments are not effective methods of getting rid of them.
Total Ant Control For Lakewood Residents
If you see ants in your Lakewood home, call Bugaboo Pest Control to send a technician to your home to help you. Our technician will help you identify the type of ants you are dealing with by helping you find how the ants are getting inside your Lakewood home. Then, we will treat your home to eliminate the ants and help prevent them from returning. Contact us today for a free quote and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Lakewood.
