March 15 Blog

Why You Should Start Ant Control in March

Spring is almost upon us, and that means it’s time to get a jump start on prepping your home against pests that are about to become active. One of the most common household pests, ants, are far more destructive than you may think. These tiny, harmless-looking insects can do quite a bit of damage to your home if left unaddressed. Their small size makes it very easy for them to sneak into your home, often unnoticed, and wreak havoc while you go about your days.

Ants are ectothermic, which means the outside weather regulates their body temperature, they cannot do so on their own. So during the winter when temperatures drop, ants become dormant and less active. As the cold recedes, ants become more active and mobile, which is what’s about to happen in the coming months.

Like any other dormant or hibernating animal, ants are hungry come springtime, which means they are on the lookout for new food sources - a.k.a. your home. Worker ants leave the colony in search of food, and once they locate it, they release pheromones to alert the other ants to their location, causing the common trail of ants you typically see on your countertops.

By starting ant control in March, you can treat the problem as efficiently as possible. For most treatments, ants carry the bait back down to the colony where it will spread quickly. At this point in the year, most of the ants are either still dormant or at least near the colony, which means treatment will have the greatest impact. If you wait until summer, many of the ants will be away from the colony in search of food.

There are a few other preventative treatment measures you can take to protect your home against these tiny invaders:

Seal Exterior Gaps and Cracks: Ants are tiny enough to fit through the slightest cracks in your home’s exterior. Do a thorough inspection and patch up any openings, especially around windows, doors, and utility access.
Store Food Properly: Ants invade your home for one reason only - food. Make sure food is stored in sealed bags and containers, and any crumbs are cleaned up as soon as possible.
Tidy Up Your Yard: Remove excess debris and brush that can act as a hiding spot for ants, and trim back trees and bushes at least a foot from the exterior of your home.
Lay a Bait Trap: Ants will carry bait back to the colony, which at this time of year, can eliminate the problem before it even starts. Use caution if you have pets or children.

Sometimes though, despite your best efforts, ants may still find their way into your home. Then, professional help from Pestmaster is your best bet. Each type of ant has different behaviors, and often needs to be treated differently. Our ant control team has seen them all and can identify the type of ant you’re dealing with to customize the best treatment.

If you’re seeing early signs of ant activity or want to learn more about preventative methods, contact us today.