Don't Let Ants Cramp Your Summer: Tips To Get Rid Of These Pests

Summer is here and so are the insects that can ruin a fun day or night outside. Ants, in particular, can spoil a picnic and can make your home feel untidy, when they begin to make their way inside. Carpenter ants, sugar ants and those tiny black ants that seem to run rampant throughout your home are all insects you don't want hanging around. If you have these insects in or around your home, there are things you can do to help get rid of them. Read on for helpful tips, so you can enjoy your summer outside and your time inside as well.

Clean Up Food Crumbs

Whether inside or outside, you should always clean up after eating. Clean up tables, counters and floors, both inside and outside. Even the smallest of crumbs or tiniest spill can give ants enough to feed off of. Use a bleach-based cleaner to wipe off these areas, and also remember to clean your sink out as well, removing any food debris inside the drain or the drain stopper. Wipe floors using floor cleaner, or a vinegar-based cleaner for something more natural. 

Trim Landscaping Around Your Home

Your landscaping may be attracting ants to your home, and making it easier to get ants into your house, as well. Trim back landscaping, including grass, bushes, flowers and trees. Keep ground plants at least two to three feet away from your home's foundation and trim tree limbs that hang low over your home.

Encapsulate Your Crawl Space

A crawl space is basically just dirt or sand, which pests an easily make their way to and then up into your home. Your crawl space may be where these pests are getting into and then making their way into your home. Other pests may also be making their way into your home through your crawl space. Encapsulating your crawl space can prevent these pests from getting to your home. Hire a professional to get this done, to your home. 

Set Traps

Set traps inside your home to kill the ants that may already be inside. If you spot ants, kill the ones you see, but set traps in these areas as well. Ant traps can be found at your local hardware or home store. The traps contain a poison that will kill the ants immediately. Keep your pets or small children in your home away from these traps.

Your summer shouldn't be ruined by ants. Use the tips above to get rid of them. If necessary, look for a company that specializes in pest control, in your area.