Getting Rid Ants in your Home
In Singapore, ants are common pests found in residential and commercial premises.
Though these pests are not detrimental to health, it can pose as a nuisance and create unpleasant living conditions if you do not get rid of them properly and quickly.
Ants are typically attracted to sweet or fatty substances in kitchens, pantries and storages including outdoor areas like your garden or balcony.
These pests react quick, even the smallest food that you have accidentally dropped on the ground can attract ants almost immediately.
The warning signs of an infestation are obvious.
this includes trails of ants leading to a nest source or colony of ants or finding them in your food supplies and common areas.
If you have experienced ants swarming to your food on the table within minutes, you probably are having an infestation!
The very first step of battling an infestation in your home is identifying the species and type of ant.
If you are noticing red ants of any kind, we suggest you contact a professional immediately as bites from red ants can produce painful bites and stings.
In Singapore, the common type of ants are: Carpenter Ants, Black House Ants, Fire (Red), Pharaoh Ants and Ghost Ants.
Upon identifying the species in your household, these are 6 tips you can self-conduct to get rid of Ants.
1. Identify the Entry Points
Most Ant species prefer moist areas to nest, hide eggs and transport their food. Kitchens and bathrooms are typically the first rooms to be infested.
Visibility of a nest varies, at times the trail can lead to an open ants’ nests outdoors and other times, it could be hidden away in a wall within your house.
Use a torchlight to search for ants behind or under refrigerators, stoves, microwaves dishwashers, sinks and cabinets.
Floor drains, motor areas of microwaves and refrigerators are other common areas together with cracks and crevices in cabinets and surrounding walls.
If there is a crack or crevice within a wall, you can use a sealant or caulk to patch it up. This will eliminate an entry point for ants to enter your home.
Should you be spotting a few ants daily, you can do a sugar / honey test to attract ants and monitor their movements.
Place a jar or lid of honey where you have noticed some ant activity, as ants tend to be more nocturnal, observations in the evening and at night might be more efficient.
ANTS NEST
If you spot one of these outside your home, it is best to engage in pest control services for immediate eradication.
We do not recommend DIY ants nest removal unless you are well versed with the situation.
2. Search for a water leak
Similar to most living things, ants require water and food to survive. Check for any leaking pipes in your home.
Common areas like sink pipes or condensation from your air conditioning systems can attract these pests.
Repair a leaky pipe immediately should this be a source of an infestation (plus it’ll save you from other unnecessary home damages).
3. Proper Housekeeping to get rid of ants
It is important in general to maintain a clean household for our well-being and living conditions, but even more so to get rid and preventing any pest infestations.
- Store food that attract ants in airtight containers and tie up any food packages.
- Disinfect and wipe down countertops and surfaces to remove any food stains or crumbs.
- Vacuum and mop your floors regularly to get rid of any remains of food especially in tight corners and under your furniture.
- Remove trash daily to eliminate a hotspot for ants.
4. "Ants Trap" - Ants Gel
If the infestation is not too severe, you can try an off the shelf gel to get rid of ants in your home.
Golden Hammer Ant Gel is an affordable and non-toxic solution that you can find at your nearest NTUC FairPrice.
Read the key information and preparation instructions prior to applying the ant gel.
5. Homemade Ants Killer Spray
Combining equal parts of vinegar and water into a spray bottle and applying it to an ant’s trail can assist in eliminating their travel path.
Other homemade spray cleaners you can try include essential oils like peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree oil.
These techniques might not work if the nests are hidden within your walls and hard to reach areas.
6. Engaging a Pest Control expert to get rid of Ants in your home
If the above methods are not helping to resolve your ant’s infestation, engage a pest control expert to inspect your home and apply the correct ants control method.
Benefits of hiring a pest control professional:
- Thorough inspection of your premises including potential cracks and crevices that you might have missed.
- Using the correct treatment to eradicate your problem
- Re-inspection within 7 days should the issue persist
- Professional advice for preventions of future pest infestations.
Wipeout Pest Control Services provides Professional, Quality and Affordable Pest Control Services in Singapore since 1995. Our technicians are certified to carry out and assist you in eradicating pests.