Ant problems are a common concern in houses across the United States and beyond. If you’re having ant problems in your kitchen, chances are you don’t really know where they’re coming from. Although an ant infestation can definitely be frustrating to deal with, the good news is that it’s also possible to fix. Here are a few of the best ways to avoid ants in your home, especially when they’re infesting your kitchen.
Seal Cracks and Holes in Walls and Cabinets
Ants often come in through your home’s walls. There can be a number of wall entrances around your home, but the cabinets are one sneaky way that ants can sometimes come in through your kitchen. Make sure you check for cracks inside your cabinets as well, because these cracks can sometimes be an easy way for ants to enter unnoticed.
Ensure Windows Fit Snugly
It’s common for kitchens to have windows for better lighting as you cook, but those windows can also let in ants and other pests. This typically happens if the window doesn’t fit into the frame completely. Ensuring that the window frame is properly installed and there aren’t any gaps in the frame will help you avoid that.
Water Indoor Plants Just the Right Amount
Indoor plants are a great way to add a bit of color to your kitchen, but they can become a haven for ants as well. If you overwater your indoor plants, it’s absolutely possible for the extra water to become something that ants seek out when they enter your home. Make sure you don’t overwater those plants so you can keep that splash of color without pulling in ants.
Empty Your Kitchen Trash on a Regular Basis
When you empty your kitchen trash, you’re getting rid of a variety of things that tend to pull ants into the area. Trash tends to include both food and water, which means that ants love trying to get inside your trash. Especially if you don’t empty it often enough, you can end up pulling ants into your home as they try to find a way to get into your trash.
Use Vinegar Over Areas You See Ants
Vinegar typically deters ants from any area where you put it. It can also kill ants if you apply it directly to the ants. However, it’s also very strong-smelling, which means some people aren’t sure about putting it in areas where they regularly go. If you’re trying to keep ants out of your kitchen and you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you can create up to a 50/50 vinegar/water mix and still deter ants.
Fix Cracked Pavement, Tile, and Foundations
Ants are great at burrowing through the ground — it’s how they’re able to create such massive, incredible colonies. However, that also means they’re great at finding cracks in your pavement and foundation to come inside. If you have cracks in your kitchen tile, they may also be able to burrow inside through those as well. Talking to a foundation repair expert can help you understand what you need to do to fix these problems and avoid future concerns from them.
Conclusion
Ants in your kitchen can definitely be a frustrating problem. If you don’t quite know how to deal with ants in the kitchen, it can be even more frustrating because it can feel like the ants continue to pop up after you think you’ve dealt with them. All of these tips are ways to avoid ants coming into your home in the first place, rather than ways to kill ants once they’re in your home. That way, you’ll avoid ant infestations entirely, regardless of where the ants are outside. Make sure you consult an expert if you think there’s a deeper problem.