If you’ve discovered ants in your home after some heavy rain, you’re not alone! Though it may seem strange, ant infestations after a storm is a pretty common occurrence.
Ants are usually able to sense when a storm is approaching, which prompts them to protect their nest by digging deep tunnels or plugging entrance holes. However, particularly heavy rainfall can still wash away the nest. To avoid drowning, the ants will seek shelter – which may lead them right into your home.
How to Prevent Ants When it Rains
Ants are tricky pests and it can be challenging to get rid of an infestation. The best way to keep your home ant-free is to prevent these pests from getting indoors in the first place. Here are some ways to keep ants out whenever it starts raining:
- Seal off openings to your home. Ants are tiny and can squeeze through even the smallest of cracks, which is why you want to seal off as many openings to your home as you can find. Look along doors, windows, and your home’s foundation for anything that ants could sneak through and seal these off with caulk.
- Trim back your landscaping. When it starts raining, ants often climb up taller plants to avoid water pooling up on ground level. If you have lots of vegetation growing right up against your home, ants will have an easier time trying to sneak indoors. Trimming your landscaping can prevent this problem, and could protect you against other pests as well.
- Keep your home clean. Though ants may originally enter your home because of rain, they are more likely to stick around if there is an abundance of food around for them. Cleaning up any crumbs, storing food in airtight containers, and keeping pet bowls clean can prevent ants from settling in your home.
How to Get Rid of Ants After a Storm
If ants were able to sneak inside during a storm, then you will want to take quick action to prevent the colony from settling into your home. Here are some tips for getting rid of ants after rain:
- Remove food or water sources. Ants need food and water to survive, so cutting off these supplies will encourage them to move elsewhere. Keeping your home clean, properly storing your food ant trash, and fixing any moisture problems is a good first step for getting rid of ants.
- Get rid of pheromone trails. Ants leave behind pheromone trails to communicate, mark territories, or alert the colony about new food sources. Eliminating these trails can scatter the colony and make it difficult for them to survive. You can erase pheromone trails using soapy water or vinegar.
- Consider using a pesticide. Some pesticides are specifically designed to use pheromone trails to trick ants into bringing poison back to their colony. These can be incredibly effective solutions, but it is crucial to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to keep your family and pets safe.
- Call a professional. Sometimes, ant infestations don’t seem to go away no matter what you do. If that’s the case, call a professional ant exterminator like those at Antworks Pest Control! Our experts can help you get rid of ants quickly and efficiently, so you can enjoy a pest-free home without stressing. Call us today to get a free quote!
