Ant-Proof Your Maine Home: Helpful Tips To Keep Ants Away This Summer
Although summer hasn’t officially arrived here in Maine, already we’re seeing tourists pouring into the state and ants on the move. While there’s not much we can do about the former, the local pest control team here at Advanced Pest Solutions have a few tips to help property owners keep the latter away from their home this summer. Read on to learn more about the ants commonly found in Maine as well as ant prevention tips that will help stop ants from making their way indoors.
Common types of ants in Maine
Carpenter Ants
Large, black ants
Excavate wood to create nests
Have the potential to cause damage to homes ranging from minor to more extensive structural damage
Will nest indoors
Pavement Ants
Small, dark brown to black ants
Typically found in cracks and crevices of sidewalks and driveways
May infest homes in search of food
Will nest indoors
Odorous House Ants
Small, brown ants
Emit an unpleasant odor when crushed
Likely to infest homes searching for food and to avoid poor weather conditions
Will nest indoors
Prevention tips to keep ants away this summer
Seal entry points
Inspect your home for any cracks, gaps, or openings that ants could use as entry points. Seal them with caulk or silicone to prevent ant infiltration.
Close the doors (and windows) to ants
Keep entry doors, garage doors, and windows closed when not in use, install weather stripping under doors, and repair or replace torn window screens.
Keep a clean home
Ants are attracted to food sources, so keep your home clean and free of crumbs and spills. Regularly sweep and mop floors, wipe down countertops, and promptly clean up food debris.
Store food properly
Keep all food, including pet food, in airtight containers. Ants can detect even the smallest traces of food, so proper storage is essential.
Empty trash regularly
Dispose of your garbage promptly and use tightly sealed trash cans. Remove from kitchen regularly and store in outdoor trash cans with tight-fitting lids as well. Do not allow trash, boxes, or other debris to pile up outside.
Fix leaks and correct moisture issues
Ants are attracted to moisture, so you should always fix leaking pipes and appliances that might leak water. Any wood damaged by this type of issue should be replaced right away. You should also correct ventilation issues and address rooms that have high humidity.
Don’t leave pet food out
If you have pets, avoid leaving their food bowls out for extended periods. Instead, feed them at designated times and remove any uneaten food promptly.
Keep your yard in order
Trim tree branches and shrubs away from your home to eliminate potential bridges for ants. Keep firewood and other debris away from the house and clear away old tires and other unused items that could become shelter for ants and other pests.
What to do if you already have an ant problem
If you’ve already detected ant activity in your home or on your property, consider hiring a pest control company to get rid of ants. At Advanced Pest Solutions, we offer home pest control services in South China, Gardiner, and Litchfield as well as throughout central and coastal Maine. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you stop ants from taking over this summer and protect your home from all manner of pests all year long!