How can i determine where ants are entering my house. I thought i killed them all then they show up again?
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Answers:
Hi,
I treat the perimeter of my home with "Ortho Max" once or twice a year. I spray on the walls at the ground, at doorways, at corners, and at all penitrations. Then I use a granular, of the same stuff on about 24" of the ground at the foundation. Cost about $20 to $30 a year. Haven't had insects inside in years and we live a wooded lot.
Inside we use to use an item called "Terro", nothing more than 5% Borax in a sweet syrup. The sweet attracts the ants and the Borax kills them. You could make your own.
As others said, seal the openings as best you can. Inside and out. One way to find them is to go outside at night with all the lights on in basement and look for light.
they may have the nest in the house, keep trying
I'm inclined to agree in part with Jim.
You don't detail the type of Ant, and determining an entry point might be difficult, since they may not need to live outdoors or underground like Termites.
Have you taken the time to note their route, to wherever it is they seek a destination? I'd be considering the attraction as well as the Where from/to.
Steven Wolf
Basics of Ant Control
Controlling ants in structures need not be so difficult. To be successful, you must follow a few basic rules:
Identify the species of ant involved. (critical)
Perform a thorough inspection.
Determine where the ant colonies are located.
Treat the ant colonies directly if possible.
Use baits for ant colonies that cannot be treated directly.
It is not always possible to find where the ant colony is located. In this case, bait insecticides placed directly in the path of ants or where ants can find them are very effective and can save a tremendous amount of time.
Time-Saving Tips
Practicing a few proven field tips can save time in uncovering the source of an infestation.
CARPETS - Most pest ants like to trail under the edge of carpets. Inspect along the walls under the carpet beside the tack strip. A good place to start is in front of fireplaces and sliding glass doors. When foraging ants are found, try to trail them back to their colony location.
FOUNDATIONS - When ants are found inside along exterior walls, look for colonies living in the soil beside the foundation.
VEGETATION - Ants like to nest and forage in trails out of sight behind any vegetation which rests against foundations, patios, etc. Pull back the vegetation to look for ants. Attempt to follow foraging ants back to their colony.
GROUND SURFACES - Any item sitting on the ground could harbor a colony of ants. Check under all items, especially those near the foundation.
MULCH - Mulch often harbors numerous colonies of ants such as pavement ants, fire ants, crazy ants and Argentine ants. Rake mulch back from the foundation to check for colonies.
Take a caulk gun and go around the outside of your house.
Fill every little crack or hole around any pipes or wires entering your house to eliminate as many entrances as possible.
Keep landscaping plants trimmed off of the house.
Spray or pesticide around the outside base of your house.
It helps to make it as hard and discouraging as possible to let them get in.
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