Ants can attack your home during a heavy downpour. In general, ants can sense an incoming storm. So, they often plug entry holes and dig deep tunnels to protect their nests. But heavy rains can wash away an entire colony. As a result, ants will find shelter elsewhere. Your house can offer great protection for ants. This is the reason you can find them inside your house when it rains. Shreveport, LA residential pest control is crucial to controlling ant populations. But if you have persistent ant issues, contact a pest control team to address them for you.
Preventing Ants During a Heavy Downpour
Eliminating an ant infestation after it takes hold can be challenging. But there are things you can do to prevent these pests from invading your house in the first place. These include the following:
- Trimming back the landscaping. When water starts to pool on the ground, ants protect themselves by climbing up tall plants. Thus, tall plants against your house could lead these pests indoors. By trimming your landscaping back, you make it hard for ants to sneak inside.
- Sealing off openings. Blocking ants from entering your house keeps them out. This can be done by sealing off cracks or gaps using caulk and repairing door or window screens. Also, ants can get inside through the gaps in your home’s fountain, windows, and doors. Do not forget to check your electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, and utility boxes for gaps. Ants can crawl through the small cracks in these things.
Steps to Take If Ants Invade Your House After a Storm
Ants can squeeze through tiny openings in your house. Thus, they can still get indoors even if you have taken preventative measures. If there are ants in your house after a storm, consider these tips:
- Eliminate sources of food and water. Ants may set up camp in an area if they can easily access water and food from there. Make it hard for these pests to settle in by storing your food in airtight containers. Make sure that your trash bins have lids. Fix moisture problems or plumbing leaks that ants could use for water.
- Eliminate trails. Ants communicate with one another through pheromones. Usually, they leave pheromone trails behind to alert the rest of the gang of nearby sources of food. Eliminate these trails by washing them away with vinegar or soapy water. This can disrupt ant communication and make it hard for the colony to establish itself.
- Contact an exterminator. A serious ant infestation should be left to the pros. Ant exterminators know how to address the issue effectively.
