What Causes Ant Infestations?
Each year, thousands of homeowners find themselves plagued with ant problems. Ants can seemingly come out of nowhere, and can be very problematic. When left untreated for a long period of time, an ant problem can be nearly impossible to eradicate. Many people wonder what causes ants to enter their homes in the first place. By understanding the root cause for the problem, addressing it can be made much easier.
Rain:Many people don’t realize that rain can actually have a rather large effect on ant infestation. When the ground becomes excessively moist as a result of rain, ants often begin to search for higher ground. As a result, it is not uncommon for them to begin moving into peoples’ homes. While there is little one can do to prevent rain, it is wise to be alert that rainy periods can often coincide with ant infestations.
Decaying Wood: For those who live in old homes, the primary reason for ant infestation is often decaying wood. Decaying wood commonly attracts carpenter ants, which chew the wood into sawdust. As this can have drastic effects on the structural integrity of your home, it is wise to replace wood at the first sign of decay, which will also serve as an effective way to prevent ant infestations from occurring in the future.
Sugar:Ants are extremely attracted to sugar, which makes sweet foods problematic for those who have ant issues in the home. When left out, desserts, raw sugar, honey and other sugar syrups can bring a dramatic amount of ants into your home, and it can be quite difficult to get rid of them once they’ve found something to feed on. Avoid leaving any food unrefrigerated, and keep sugar canisters tightly sealed at all times; the less ants have to feed on, the less likely you are to have problems.
