Ant infestations might happen during any time of the year, but it’s never a welcome sight. These tiny pests make use of their small bodies to enter houses through the tiniest cracks. The best preventative measure to keep them out is by eliminating the reasons why they’re attracted to the house in the first place.
So why exactly are there grease ants inside a house? Grease ants find comfort in houses with food sources they may exploit, such as leftover food and sticky garbage bins. They’re also attracted to houses with greasy surfaces and leaky pipes.
4 Possible Reasons Why There Are Grease Ants at Home
Grease ants are a species of pesky ants that steal food from people’s houses or another ant colony near their nest. They are typically found in soil and rotting wood, but they also get inside properties through the tiny gaps in the foundation. According to a survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), around 80% of ant infestations occur inside single-family homes.
Here are a few possible reasons why there might be grease ants inside a house even if it’s regularly cleaned:
1) Leftover Food
Grease ants need food and water to survive, which is why they’re especially fond of kitchens that are full of leftovers. These pests eat anything available to them, but they’re especially fond of high-protein food like butter, soy, beans, tofu, cheese, and meat. They’re also attracted by peanut butter and oil, which makes them the best food bait for luring grease ants. Leftover food is one of the main causes why grease ants visit a home, but it’s also the easiest one to resolve.
2) Greasy Surfaces
Grease left on different surfaces is a lot less obvious than leftover crumbs of food around the kitchen. Many homeowners forget to wipe off things like oil bottles, syrup containers, honey jars, and jam bottles after using them. Sauce and bacon splatters that weren’t wiped leave sticky and oily residues that attract grease ants.
3) Sticky Garbage Bins
Ants won’t hesitate to raid the dumpster and garbage bins in search of food. Discarded cans and bottles have residues that attract grease ants, so make sure to rinse the garbage bins now and then. Pay extra attention to the food storage waste and garbage bins placed in the kitchen because they’re the most prone to attracting grease ants.
4) Leaky Faucets and Pipes
Aside from food and shelter, grease ants also need water to survive. Ensure that there are no leaks in the bathroom, basement, laundry rooms, or other parts of the house. These pests typically hang around moist areas of the house.
How to Prevent Grease Ants from Entering the House
Grease ants are persistent creatures that invade homes in large numbers to exhaust the food source they found. They’re quite difficult to eliminate because their nests are hard to locate. The best pest control approach for grease ants is to prevent them from entering the house in the first place.
Here are some of the pest management professional-approved methods to keep grease ants out of the house:
- Seal Them Out – Ants and other kinds of pests won’t start an infestation in the house if they can’t find a way in. The tiniest holes and cracks on the wall are enough to let these pests in, so make sure to seal them as soon as possible. Homeowners may hire a professional to seal the cracks or do it by themselves. Hiring a professional might be expensive, but it ensures that the gaps are completely covered using the best sealant.
- Keep the House Clean – The house must be free of food crumbs and any kind of food residue. Grease ants are quick to act when they find a food source, so make sure to wipe off all food spills and oil splatters after cooking. The garbage bins should also be cleaned regularly, and the trash should be taken away immediately.
- Put Away Leftover Food – Avoid leaving food out in the open, whether it’s newly cooked or leftover. All food should be put away in pest-proof containers with tight lids. Refrigerate the food instead of leaving them on the dinner table overnight. Don’t let any dirty dishes sit in the sink for too long because they attract grease ants. Make sure to wash the dishes as soon as mealtime is over.
- Indoor and Outdoor Controls – Pest control for grease ants vary depending on their location. Ant baits work best for ants that are usually found inside the kitchen or other parts of the house. The store-bought ant bait is usually mixed with oil, peanut butter, or dough to attract the ants. The mixture is enough to put a dent in the grease ant’s population.
On the other hand, the best treatment for grease ants found outdoors is to locate the ant nest first and treat it. Just follow the trail of grease ants until they arrive at their nest. Spray the colony with ant spray to get rid of the pests.
Eliminate the Grease Ants at Home with Positive Pest Management
Grease ant infestations often persist until the homeowners can’t take care of them anymore. In such cases, it’s up to a pest management professional like Positive Pest Management to ensure that the grease ants are gone for good.
Here at Positive Pest Management, we find the location of grease ant nests accurately. Our specialists also have the skills and experience in using the right ant baits and insecticides to eliminate these pests completely. Contact us at (800) 294 – 3130 to get a free estimate for your home.
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