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Don't Let Ants March In
(ARA) - With backyard barbeques, pool parties and afternoon picnics come uninvited house guests - ants! One by one, trails of tiny black specks make their way into homes across the country, but knowing how they come in and how to keep them out can stop a pesky, pest-filled season.
Ants are a frequent and persistent pest in and around homes. Considered a nuisance, ants are known to contaminate food, build unsightly mounds on properties and can cause structural damage to homes.
Dealing with an ant problem can be very frustrating. Dr. Deanna Branscome, technical representative at Syngenta, a manufacturer of professional pest control products, says that while homeowners can take action to prevent an ant problem it is important to enlist the help of a professional to eliminate an infestation.
Many factors prevent ants from making a home their own or keep them from returning. Ants are looking for food, water and shelter. By eliminating their access to these, ants will be forced to seek homes elsewhere. Homeowners can:
- Remove mulch and debris from lawns and around foundations, as ants often use landscaping elements for shelter and food sources or as aids to enter homes.
- Bushes, shrubs and tree limbs should be trimmed so they do not contact the roof or walls of a home, eliminating a point of entry into the home.
- Elevate pet food and water bowls outside and be sure to repair leaking faucets to avoid creating a potential water source for ants.
"A common mistake many people make when attempting to control ants, is simply spraying the ones they see," says Dr. Branscome. "Typically, thousands more, the 'colony,' are hidden somewhere in a nest, including the egg-laying queens. Reaching the queen is the key to long-term ant control."
Although ants look very similar, there are actually dozens of species that live around homes and each has unique characteristics that influence control methods. That's why it is important to call a professional pest control company to inspect the home, find the ant colony and create a targeted treatment program for the ants on your property.
A pest management professional may recommend "baiting" for ants, which involves placing ant bait in and around the area where ants are seen. Ants take the bait back to the nest to share, eventually eliminating the queen and the entire colony. Ask a pest management professional about a clear, non-staining bait, like Optigard Ant Gel Bait, which is highly effective and won't stain indoor areas like flooring and cabinetry, which some other gel baits can do.
A professional pest control company can help to protect the home from an existing or potential ant infestation - to ensure a fun and relaxing spring/summer season.
For more information visit: www.SecureChoice.us.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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