Why do I have ants?

It is human beings themselves who create the essential conditions for the proliferation of pests.

Ants belong to the same group as wasps and bees and are considered social insects.

This small animal releases pheromones that identify the routes it takes from food sources to anthills. They are commensal pests, i.e. they like to live near people and feed essentially on the same things we do – sweets, meat, starches and liquids, water, and they can also feed on other insects. 

Also considered an omnivore, as it feeds on animal and plant products.

Ants are usually found near their food sources, damp spots and in protected, hidden places. They particularly favour holes in walls, the underside of household appliances or air conditioning units, window or wall skirting boards, or other similar places.

Why do I have ants?

A thorough and detailed lack of hygiene may be the main cause of ant infestations, as dirty dishes in the sink, food waste on the worktops, crumbs on the floor and rubbish provide food sources for ants. 

What starts with a few ants making their way inside a building can become a major problem as they establish colonies inside walls, electrical circuits, lawns or in the foundations of your property.

How to control ants?

Most of our clients agree that ant control is one of the most worrying problems, given the rapid proliferation and persistence of these insects.

The recognition that there is no single practice or strategy for controlling all ant infestations is entirely correct, so prevention and control measures generally vary according to species, nest location and preferred food source.

As with all other urban pest infestations, implementing an integrated pest management programme makes it possible to solve the problem more effectively and efficiently.

Some important components of a successful ant control programme are:

• Correct identification is crucial because ants are not all the same, different ant species can have very different behaviours, habits and habitats.

      Knowledge-based ant control is one of the most important components that the pest   

               control professional provides;

• Remove and minimise damp, as ants need damp to survive, fix water leaks around pipes, check that outside gutters are clear and make sure there is no damage to the roof that could lead to water infiltration;
• Remove food waste from the kitchen and other places where you eat. 

Keep kitchen floors and worktops clean. 

Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.

Clean the dishwasher and other appliances regularly;

• Empty and clean rubbish bins. Keep food that is attractive to ants in closed containers or in the fridge;
• Implement exclusion techniques so that ants don’t enter your home, as worker ants enter through holes, cracks and gaps in the exterior of the house, and you should seal up places where wires, pipes or plumbing enter the house. Keep tree branches pruned so that they never overhang or touch the house, as ants can use them as pathways to the interior;
• Remove debris from around your house by removing clumps of stones or wood;
• Remove any fallen tree trunks or branches, keeping stored firewood as far away from the house as possible to prevent it from entering the home; 
• Use a hoover to remove ants that may be found inside or outside the house.

Grupo Extermínio®, which specialises in pest control, knows how to find the origin and causes of pest infestations, how to resolve them and prevent recurrence.

We offer an initial survey for a commercial proposal, free of charge – we look forward to hearing from you!

Grupo Extermínio – your integrated pest control management partner – Commited to Public Helath since 1990!