By 2000, ants had officially replaced cockroaches as one of the most difficult to control domestic pests. This is, in part, due to the availability of highly effective methods of cockroach control. As any experienced homeowner knows, ants can be a challenge to dispel once they have entered your home. Similar to other woefully resilient pests, such as termites, ants form major colonies, meaning that unless you manage to eliminate every single ant, they may very well bounce right back the next week. Out of the 700 species of ants in the United States and Canada, 25 commonly infest homes. And they take the infestation business very seriously. Because ants are so difficult to defeat, DIAL ONE Franklynn takes the following important steps to make sure ants disappear for good.

The Seven-Step Ant Control Plan

When many people imagine an ant infestation, they immediately conjure images of fire ants swarming their yard and sugar ants swarming their countertops. While these assumptions are grounded in fact, ant aficionados know these insects can be flexible and a little unpredictable. DIAL ONE Franklynn Pest Control ant-ticipates every possible outcome. These seven steps ensure ants stay away from your home all year long.

1.       Identification. Identifying the species of ant infesting your home is the first step towards permanent eradication. Food and living preferences vary depending upon the variety of ant. In fact, some species can be controlled based upon their flavor preferences because they are attracted to certain varieties of baits. Others may require an ant control method using contact pesticides.

2.       Nest Location. Nest location is going to be one of the biggest factors determining your pest control plan. Are your cohabitees coming in from outside, or have they already made themselves cozy in the cavities of your cabinetry? You can often locate the general location of the nest by following the worker ants from the food source they’ve been enjoying. Remember to do a thorough search and check under objects such as stones, wood, debris, etc.

3.       Exclusion. You can’t help the ones that are already in (yet), but you can keep the rest of the ants out! Seal up all of those possible entrances, such as door and window frames, AC units, light fixtures, and utility line entrances. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to seal every entrance. But it can slow down the flow of ants while you get your pest control in place.

4.       Treat the Perimeter. It’s not easy to seal every single entry into your home. For the stragglers, DIAL ONE meticulously applies a nonrepellent pesticide. This perimeter treatment includes treating under any siding-to-foundation wall junctions. If nearby trees have also been infested, DIAL ONE may also need to treat for carpenter or velvety tree ants. Ant control sometimes means that it is necessary to eliminate the living food source. Ants feed on aphids and mealybugs that produce honeydew (aphid waste). Perimeter treatment may also include eliminating these insects.

5.       Treat the Interior. Now it’s time for the most satisfying part of the extermination. Eliminating the ants that have been getting in your food, water, and pantry. Results can be expected within a few days, at the most. While treating your interior, make sure to cover any surfaces below the application area with plastic to avoid contamination.

6.       Baiting. Eliminating the first wave of ants is only half the battle. Baiting effectively controls the stragglers and prevents them from re-infesting your home. Baits are often doubly effective when timed correctly. Ask your DIAL ONE pest control tech about placing baits in the spring before ant activity reaches its peak.

7.       Additional Control Methods. Not all control methods involve chemicals. Many of them can be implemented by the homeowner as healthy home maintenance habits. Non-chemical ant control methods include:

a.       Sanitation: Remove food and garbage that may tempt ants to come inside.

b.       Plant Removal: Remove plant trimmings that may be appetizing to ants.

c.       Tree Trimming: Trimming branches away from the house eliminates one more pathway for curious ants.

d.       Gutter Cleaning: Clean gutters to eliminate one more comfortable hiding spot.

e.       Eliminate Condensation: Clear out places that can gather extra condensation that may be appealing to ant visitors.

f.        Removing/Treating Infested Plants. You may notice that some plants have been completely infested by ants. You can either remove the smaller plants or treat the larger plants, such as trees. If you’ve brought plant materials into a home with an existing infestation, it is likely that ants will immediately gravitate towards the new plant and use it as a food and shelter source.

Ant Control in Metairie: The Importance of Ant Prevention

Year-round pest control is an integral part of any homeowner’s maintenance routine. Pests are always looking for ways into your home, so they can feed on your leftovers and make themselves comfortable in the cozy nooks of your property. DIAL ONE evaluates your home to determine a custom-tailored ant control plan to eliminate ants once and for all.

Contact DIAL ONE Franklynn Pest Control for Ant Control in Metairie!

DIAL ONE has been performing successful ant control and general pest control on homes throughout New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana since 1969. If you think you have an ant infestation, there’s no time to wait! To schedule a free estimate, visit our contact page or call 504-885-3101!