Imagine picking up a portion of food or fruits from storage only to discover a group of ants all over the bowl- disappointing, right? As if that’s not all, imagine when you have guests over, and these tiny insects cannot stay away from the table. You can prevent all this if you detect the signs of ants in your house early enough before they multiply.
An ant infestation can be a nuisance regardless of the species or frequency. There, you have several signs you can read to tell there’s a group of ants planning or have already invaded your house. That way, you will be better positioned to deal with the tiny-toxic insects early enough. Be confident in contacting a trusted ant control team for impressive services.
Below are the signs of ant infestation in a house.
Sign #1: Ant Nests
One of the most prevalent signs of ant infestation in the house is when you spot some nests. Ant nests are usually tiny and appear like several hips of dirt or soil sparsely collected. They are commonly found in dark areas, quiet spots, and the walls of your house. You can easily confuse ant nests with general dirt. You should be careful.
There are several ways to manage ant infestations inside the house. One effective method is wiping food spills as soon as they occur and ensuring that surfaces remain clean. It’s also a good idea to schedule occasional home inspections with pest control professionals, as this helps address ants before they have a chance to multiply.
In addition, repair any cracks that could provide entry points for ants into your house. Lastly, clear overgrown branches around doors and windows, as they might attract ants into the house through these openings. By following these measures, you can keep your home ant-free and comfortable.
Sign #2: Ant Pathways
Another practical sign of ant infestation is when you spot ant pathways around your house. As these tiny insects move around, they usually create narrow trails that are quite detectable from a closer look. The paths appear like any other, often leading to food storage areas like the kitchen or store.
Sign #3: Actual Ants
You can tell your house is under ant infestation if you spot actual ants walking around, whether dead or alive. These insects love to patrol and gather around the kitchen or dining area for food residues to consume. If you come across some, it could be a sign to search further for their central hiding spot.
Sign #4: Rotted Areas
Some types of ants can easily cause damage to some areas of your house’s interior. For instance, you can easily find rot in regions like the gutter and wooden parts. If you don’t see them in these areas, there’s a high chance that they’ve built their nests outside or under the carpet.
Sign #5: Insect Activity on Walls and Surfaces
When you hear rustling sounds in the walls and wooden surfaces, they could symbolize insect activity around your house. Some ants quickly detect their movement and moment, while others are complex due to size. However, thanks to the maximum silence, you can hear them better at night or when children aren’t home.
Sign #6: Dislodged Wings
Some types of ants shed their wings occasionally, especially during summer, while others only have wings for a short period. As a homeowner, you can point out an ant infestation in your house if you realize several ant wings around.
You can find dislodged ant wings anywhere in the house, especially near the windows and doors. Not all discarded wings directly indicate ant infestation. They depend on frequency and intensity.
Sign #7: Trails of Sawdust
Trails of sawdust are another sign of ant infestation in the house. Some species, like the carpenter ants, love to live and eat from the woods, acquiring their name.
As they carry out different activities in the woods, these ants may leave some sawdust trails evident enough to signify an infestation. Carpenter ants are pretty dangerous as they can damage precious wooden essentials and interior surfaces.
Sign #8: Presence of Soil or Dirt
If there’s a thing that ants are active with, it is collecting soil or dirt around the house. You could walk around a room you cleaned some days ago only to find soil particles behind the door.
Other forms of dirt associated with ant infestation are tiny grasses, leaves, food crumbs, and flower petals. Whenever you find a pile of dirt, touching it with your naked hands is not advisable as harmful ants may be hiding there.
Sign #9: Ant Mounds
Ant mounds are another common sign of infestation in the house. These refer to a group of ants gathered densely in one or several spots. Where you find them inside your home, it’s evident you are under infestation and should take immediate action.
Ant mounds outside the house shouldn’t be ignored as they could signify more inside. Air pressure, weather changes, and other factors often attract these mounds.
