Causes of Ant Infestation
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One of the reasons that ants are so pesky is their willingness to invade any part of the home as well as their reluctance to leave.
In order to understand how to get rid of ants, it is a good idea to ask yourself “Why do I have ants?” Ants are very similar to humans as they need three basic things to survive:
- Food
- Water
- Shelter
How Food Attracts Ants
Leaving food out in the open can encourage an ant infestation, but sometimes ants will find their way into food containers that are improperly or incompletely sealed in the pantry. Ants are particularly fond of foods containing sugar or protein. In addition to a cake left uncovered on a counter, uncovered pet food can quickly be swarming with ants.
Ants are social insects that live in nests that comprise part of a mega colony. These colonies have social orders with queens, female workers, and males. The workers are the ones that leave the nests in search of food. As they travel, they leave a scented trail behind them that is used by the other ants to track the workers to the food source. This is why ants are commonly seen traveling in a straight line to and from a food source, and also may answer part of the question “Why do I have ants?”
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How Water Attracts Ants
Ants are also attracted to water. Keeping spills cleaned up and making certain that water faucets are turned completely off can help discourage an ant infestation. If pipes or faucets are leaking, repair them as quickly as possible, especially if ants are seen nearby. Dry weather conditions can worsen the problems as ants invade homes in search of water, creating another of the reasons why you have ants.
How Shelter Attracts Ants
If you have corrected all other avenues and are still asking “Why do I have ants?”, it may be that the ants have easy access to your home. All ants require shelter and seek places for nesting. In addition to eliminating food and water sources, it is important to check for structural imperfections that may provide an entryway for an ant infestation. Cracked foundations and decaying or deteriorating walls may be some of the reasons why you have ants. Keeping grass and weeds cut back from the foundation can also help to discourage ant infestation.
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