Why Do Ants Gather Around Home Foundations in Plainfield?

Most people expect ants to be out in mounds throughout the yard, but it is not uncommon at all for them to be spotted around the foundation of your home. The foundation is where the house meets soil and offers a lot of important things that ants look for, including warmth, shelter, and access to food. Mosquito Squad Plus of Chicago provides Plainfield, IL pest control services to keep properties more comfortable.

Which Ants Might You See Around a Plainfield Home?

Several ant species common in northern Illinois may turn up near foundations.

• Pavement ants can be spotted around hard surfaces, building nests in and around sidewalk cracks and foundation edges.
• Odorous house ants are the most common travelers indoors looking for sweets or moisture.
• Carpenter ants nest in damp or damaged wood, usually seen closer to the home.
• Field ants generally stay outdoors in soil and create stereotypical ant hills.

Pavement Ants and Cracks Along Hardscaping

Pavement ant colonies are built beneath concrete or garden pavers, both of which put them in close proximity to the foundation. When worker ants emerge, they are looking for food sources and will follow a trail along walls or patios. Make sure any spills or dropped food are cleaned up quickly; ants are active and can detect crumbs, sugar, pet food, and more fairly quickly. A good option for coverage indoors and outdoors is our Squad Home Shield package.

Carpenter Ants Can Point to Moisture Problems

Carpenter ants are not like termites; they do not eat wood. Instead of eating wood, they excavate it to create tunnels and nesting cavities. This is easier to do with damp or previously damaged wood, so activity near the foundation, especially where decking abuts it, may be worth investigating. Deck supports, porch framing, old stumps, and landscape timbers should be checked for possible nests. Addressing leaks and drainage issues can make these areas less inviting to carpenter ants, but also other pests like mosquitoes or rodents.

What Can Homeowners Do Around the Foundation?

A few maintenance habits can help make your yard less appealing to ants. They may do the same thing for more pests than ants, and pair well with our pest control services. To allow for airflow and a reduction in moisture buildup, keep mulch and leaf litter from piling directly up against the house. Trim vegetation away from siding, and correct places where downspouts or irrigation leave soil consistently wet. Sometimes leading to more extensive changes, check exterior gaps around pipes, cables, doors, and windows.

When Ant Trails Keep Coming Back

Wiping away a trail may clear the ants you can see, but it does not necessarily address the colony sending workers out to forage. Ants use chemical trails to communicate, so they may return to a productive route until conditions change or the colony is managed. Mosquito Squad Plus uses targeted applications, based on what our technicians observe while there for service. They will inspect common resting, nesting, and travel locations to make sure treatment is as targeted as possible.

Get Help With Ants in Plainfield

If ants repeatedly show up around the house, Plainfield, IL pest control can help address the activity you are seeing. Call (630) 556-8315 for a free quote over the phone, or contact Mosquito Squad Plus of Chicago online to discuss the best pest control options for your home.