Common Things That Attract Ants to Your Mississauga Home


Our home is seen to get infected through different types of infestations and ants are the most constant pests that we witness at our home. It looks that everything is fine, but the next moment brings a visual you would not like. A line of ants can be seen marching through your place and you will find them taking over your home in small time. Though they may seem to have conquered your space but in reality, it might be you who are unknowingly inviting them to parade through your property.

There are certain things that you are doing to attract ants in your home. And the following text will explain how you can stop them:

1. Your trash is kept open and not sealed

The dustbins can invite ants at your place. There are things like fruit peels, leftover food scraps, and sugary drinks and food that attracts ants. This is especially seen in the cases where the garbage bins are kept open or they have a loose cover or the bin is surrounded with spills. So, to treat this properly in the right direction you should:

  • Clear off the trash daily.
  • Make use of trash cans with tight lids.
  • Clean the bins inside out so that there is no residue left.

2. Leaving your food out

Ants are believed to be having a very strong sense of smell and they get attracted to even smallest crumbs. They can identify the tiniest food particles from a good distance. Ants’ invasion can be a result of dirty dishes in the sink, keeping food open, and the leftover crumbs on the floor. And in this case you should:

  • Undertake persistent vacuuming, especially of your area where food is consumed.
  • Clean the kitchen counters after food of each time is cooked.
  • Not leave pet food uncovered over night.
  • Accumulate food in air tight containers.

3. Placing or leaving sweets and fruit on the counter

Fruits are important for a healthy you; but keeping them on the counter can attract sugar loving ants. When a fruit overripes or rots, then it releases strong smell that ants cannot resist and feel attracted to it. Likewise it is the kept open sweets and pastries that invite them and you see a big army in no time. They can be treated through:

  • Sealing the containers of baked foods.
  • Storing fruit in your fridge.
  • Cleaning the sticky surfaces after a sweet dish is made.

4. Allowing the moisture to build up

For your knowledge, the ants need water as we do for our survival. Ants can be seen invading if you have damp wood, leaky pipes, and water spills on floors and counters, below sink condensation. So to be precise if you have any of these at your place, ants that love moisture like carpenter ants would get triggered. They can be controlled here by:

  • Not allowing water to stand in your trays and sinks.
  • Using a dehumidifier in damp areas.
  • Fixing leaky pipes and faucets at the earliest.

5. Allowing the trees and vegetation touch your home

The outdoor vegetation is used as a bridge by the ants to get inside your property, especially when it touches your home. It has been found that many ant species nestle around trees and soil and get indoor when food is less and during extreme weather conditions. They can only be stopped if:

  • Surrounding trees are trimmed and kept at a distance.
  • Firewood or mulch is not stacked near to your home.

6. Half open doors and windows

These tiny creatures do not need much space to gain entry inside. Cracks in doors, half open windows, and gaps in the foundation serve open entries to ants looking for shelter and food. If you want to deal with it successfully you should:

  • Plant weather stripping around windows and doors.
  • Block the crevices and cracks with caulk.
  • Cover the bottom of the doors using door sweeps.

7. Avoiding plant care especially those indoor

The indoor plants become harbouring ants especially when they are overwatered or dead leaves are accumulated in the soil. These plants might have aphids and fungus gnats that can place a smooth invitation to the ants. Precautionary measures include:

  • Inspecting for pests on a regular basis.
  • Not overwatering your plants.
  • Using insecticidal soap and neem oil in case of infestations.
Ants

8. Availing moist organic materials in surplus amount

These materials contain moisture and build a comfortable environment for ants. If you allow them to get piled up near your home, then it can pose a threat to your home’s foundation. This can invite ants and they make their nests nearby. This can be avoided when you:

  • Place the mulch at least 12-18 inches away from your place.
  • Think of alternative ground cover like gravel and rocks.
  • Utilize a thin mulch layer not more than 2 inches.

9. Delayed routine cleaning tasks

Sometimes it is the invisible task of crumb cleaning behind appliances, sugary drops, and sticky spots that paves path for ants’ entry inside your home. You can deal with it by:

  • Deep cleaning your kitchen.
  • Using citrus based cleaners.
  • Pulling out appliances for cleaning beneath and behind them.

10. Getting them transported via packages and groceries

The cardboard boxes, grocery bags, and potted nursery plants helps ants to gain entry into your residential space. They can be kept at bay by:

  • Wiping down groceries for spills and residues.
  • Segregating new houseplants to inspect them for pests’ presence.
  • Checking packages before they are brought in.

You can avoid entry of ants at home by following the above mentioned preventive tips and making needed changes your daily habits. And if still the infestation persists, then it is time to seek help with Pest Control company in Mississauga.

At Speedy Pest Control, we specialize in fast, effective, and eco-friendly ant control solutions tailored for residential home and commercial property in Mississauga and across the GTA. Whether you're dealing with a small infestation or a recurring problem, our licensed technicians are here to help.