Water restrictions and drier conditions country-wide mean that more people than ever are finding ants inside their homes. Here are some top tips from the experts to prevent ants from invading your home this summer. The Black House Ant and the Coastal Brown Ant are most commonly found in SA. Black house ants are attracted to sweet foodstuffs and are regarded as a nuisance as they scavenge in kitchens and garbage. The Coastal Brown Ant prefers to feed on meat products and grease. In both cases, the most effective control measure is to find the colony and treat it.
Apart from trails of ants marching all over your house, there are a couple of other telltale signs to watch out for:
Ant pathways: ant pathways in and out of your home are a reliable sign of an ant problem. Some types of ant will lay down a pheromone trail to a food source. This chemical attracts other ants to the food.
Ant nests: An ant nest site can look like a small pile of soil or dirt. Some species of ant like to make their home in walls or other quiet, dark places, which are more difficult to spot.
To get rid of ants you must remember the following ant control tips: 1. Clear up food and liquid spillages immediately. 2. Sweep up food crumbs from under your kitchen appliances and units. 3. Store your food in airtight containers wherever possible. 4. If you have a pet, clear away any food that isn’t eaten straight away. 5. In the garden, keep your compost enclosed and make sure all rubbish bins have tightly sealed lids.
Whilst prevention is always better than cure, there are occasions when one has to resort to pesticides and there are many D-I-Y pest control products available to get rid of ants in low-risk areas. It is, however, essential to follow the instructions carefully for safe and effective use. If in doubt, or for frequent reoccurrences of the problem, call a professional pest control company such as Rentokil . About Rentokil South Africa: Rentokil specialises in pest control for businesses across the globe. Using leading-edge, environmentally-friendly technology, their experts deliver a wide range of tailored services to businesses of all kinds. Rentokil South Africa has operations in all major business centres across the country.