How to Get Rid of Ants and Why Pests Affect Your Property’s Value
Ants are a nuisance almost all year round. However, summer ant problems seem to be particularly bad. If you’ve noticed ants in your kitchen lately, here are a few tips on how to get rid of them.
- Seal cracks
If you notice ants inside your house, the first thing to check is whether they are coming into your home through a crack somewhere. This may be a gap under the door frame, a small hole in your wall or even a crack in a window. Once you have made sure that the crack is sealed, you can try and get rid of the ants themselves.
- Remove food sources
You can prevent ants from entering your home by keeping food and drink containers tightly closed. Try to keep your cupboards tidy, and clear up any spills straight away. If you notice any signs of ant activity, you should remove any food or drinks from your kitchen.
- Clean
An effective way to get rid of ants in your home is to clean surfaces thoroughly. Ants love to hide in dark corners, so you should wipe down shelves and appliances regularly. It’s also a good idea to spray cleaners onto floors, walls and windows before wiping them down with a cloth.
- Use sugar-based traps
Sugar-based traps are one of the most popular ways of getting rid of ants. Simply mix some sugar with a little bit of borax, and leave the mixture in places where you know ants like to congregate. The ants will enter the trap, and eventually die.
- Kill off infestations
If you have a serious ant problem, you’ll probably need to use an insecticide. Many people prefer to use a homemade remedy, but you must ensure that you read the instructions carefully before mixing a solution yourself. Alternatively, you could buy a ready-made product.
- Spray ants with hairspray
Cleaning alone isn’t always enough to get rid of ants. If you still find traces of ants in your home after cleaning, you can try spraying them directly with hairspray. This will kill them instantly, so you won’t need to worry about them returning later.
- Use vinegar
Vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner, and it can be used to get rid of ants. Just pour a generous amount of vinegar into a bowl, and allow the ants to crawl into it. The smell of the vinegar will deter them from entering your home again.
- Take preventative measures
Preventative measures are one of the best ways to avoid ant problems. If you keep your home clean, you should never experience a serious ant infestation. To learn more about preventing ants in your home, click here.
- Clear away dead bodies
If you’re trying to control an ant population, it’s vital that you dispose of dead ants immediately. Otherwise, they will only encourage a new colony to develop nearby.
- Place bowls of water
Ants are attracted to sugary substances. So, placing bowls of water in the right spots can help you get rid of them. You should place these bowls beside your main entrance, or by your kitchen sink.
How Do Insects Affect The Value of Your Real Estate Property?
Whether you’re buying a property or renting one, it’s important to consider how insects affect its value. After all, certain types of pests can damage structures and even pose a health risk to humans. Here are three ways that insects can affect the price of your real estate property:
- A dirty exterior
When a property has been neglected, it usually shows. If the outside of a building looks like it hasn’t been maintained properly, buyers may assume that the same goes for the interior. They may even decide not to purchase the property at all, which means that you could lose out on a sale.
- Structural damage
Insects can cause structural damage to buildings if left untreated. Carpenter ants, for example, eat wooden structures from the inside out, causing them to weaken over time. Termites meanwhile can destroy foundations. In some cases, this is so severe that entire houses collapse. Therefore, it’s important to take steps to treat ant infestations quickly.
- Health risks
If insects are present in an area, then residents will usually notice. In turn, this can lead to sickness. For instance, cockroaches can carry harmful bacteria on their bodies. As such, they can increase the chances of contracting diseases such as salmonella and typhoid fever.
Final Words
Pests don’t just affect the aesthetics of a property. They can also cause structural damage, health issues and reduced value. Therefore, it’s essential that you deal with pest infestations as quickly as possible.
