Black ants are the species that households are most likely to find in their home and garden. While they are completely harmless, they are a real annoyance. To get rid of them once and for all Jonathan Kirby, pest control expert from NOPE!, has shared how to identify them and fight ants at the source so “they don’t come back”.
Jonathan explained to Express.co.uk that ants love sugary foods, grains and vegetables in particular, so it is important to always keep things like cereals and pasta tightly sealed.
He said: “As ants are predominantly nocturnal, it is also very important not to leave out uncovered food overnight and to keep floors clean.
“If you have pets, always clean away uneaten food and never leave water bowls unattended for extended periods.”
Away from human contact, ants typically live in wooded areas as they enjoy settling in rotten wood and around felled trees.
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However, by spring, the pest control expert explained that the colony’s first worker ants start to emerge to scavenge food for the growing colony.
That’s why black ants tend to build their nests near human habitats – specifically food.
Jonathan said: “To identify ant nests, search for ants outside of your property, around the garden, in between paving cracks and under rocks and stones.
“You may be able to spot dirt mounds at the entrance to their tunnels, and can set bait traps nearby.”
When a worker ant successfully finds food, it will then lay a pheromone trail back to the nest.
To deter ants from following these pheromones into homes, Jonathan suggested they can use a “long-lasting, home-safe spray like NOPE! CP to create an invisible barrier that kills on contact and keeps ants away so they don’t come back”.
However, when treating ant infestations, it is always best to treat the entire colony at once.
If only a few worker ants are eliminated without dealing with the nest, the colony may decide to relocate to save themselves – and the ant problem doesn’t go away.
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The expert suggested setting bait traps, such as NOPE! Ant Bait Stations, near dirt mounds to reach the colony efficiently.
Jonathan said: “This will prevent eggs, larvae, and pupae from growing into adults, and eradicate an entire ant infestation within a couple of weeks.”
Aside from using chemical methods, there are also natural ways to get rid of these insects, one of which is talcum powder.
Jordan Foster of Fantastic Pest Control said: “Talcum or baby powder is a safer alternative for pets and kids, and diatomaceous earth can be used for carpenter ants and other pests.”
While this method doesn’t directly kill ants, it will stop them from entering homes by disrupting the pheromone trails left behind by other ants.
To use talcum powder, fill it in cracks around the home where ants would typically get in – particularly around doors and window frames.
The expert also suggested that coffee grounds can be used around entryways to keep ants at bay.
He explained that this method works by “confusing the ants’ sense of smell”. However, the only downside to this is that it can take a while for it to be effective.
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