Ants exist all over the world, and these little critters are always on the lookout for their next meal. If you aren't careful, your pantry just might become their next target. Adopting a few good habits can help prevent these pests from overtaking your kitchen.
Keep a Clean Kitchen
If you maintain a clean kitchen, ants will have fewer places to hide and less food to eat. After every meal, make it a habit to clean dishes immediately and wipe down the countertops and the dining room table. In the event of a spill or other food-related mess, clean it up right away. Be sure to use your vacuum or sweep the floors regularly, including areas outside of the kitchen where people eat. Don't forget about storing pet food properly; ants will dine on dog and cat food as well.
Protect Your Food
Leaving food out on the countertop is a good way to invite ants to sample the buffet. When you're not using an item, put it away and keep it sealed in its original packaging. You can also consider upgrading your pantry storage with a variety of plastic storage bins. Storage containers make it easier to organize your pantry and allow you to see at a glance if you need to replace an item in storage. As long as you keep the containers closed, ants will not be able to get at your food.
Seal Entrances
An effective way to keep ants out of your pantry is to stop them from entering your house in the first place. Ants can enter your home in a number of different ways, ranging from gaps in the foundation to failing windows. As part of regular home maintenance, check your home's entry points for cracks and holes. Gaps around your windows, for example, can be fixed with fresh caulk. Larger entry points, such as a crack in a wall, will probably require professional help to get fixed.
Use Products to Deter
Some smells and flavors are not pleasant to ants, including lemon and vinegar. Using cleaning products that contain these ingredients can help turn away ants from your kitchen. If you've noticed ants congregating around entry holes in your yard, you can use coffee grounds and orange peels in those areas to drive the ants away. Some plants, including lavender and peppermint, also keep ants away.
Discovering a parade of ants coming from your open sugar package is not a pleasant sight. To avoid this kitchen nightmare, keep your kitchen clean and make sure ants don't have an easy way into your home. If you suspect you have an ant problem, contact Midwestern Termite & Pest Control today.
If you're experiencing ant problems, be sure to check out our service area to see if we can help. We proudly serve a number of communities, including St. Louis County, MO, so just reach out for help!
