Ants enter homes seeking food, water, and shelter. And once a scout finds a reliable source of any of these, the chemical trail it leaves behind brings the rest of the colony.
Ants are tremendously frustrating. You see one on your kitchen counter on Tuesday, and you see a line of them marching along the backsplash by Friday. So you may wonder: why does this keep happening to me?
Ants are the ultimate opportunists. Scout ants will explore outward from the colony. Once they find food or water, they return along the same path, going back to the colony, all while depositing a pheromone trail. The whole colony can follow that trail, and as they move along it, reinforce how strong the trail itself is.
Food is the most common attractant, and it doesn't take much. A smear of jelly on the countertop. Crumbs under the toaster. Pet food left in the bowl. A sticky residue inside the recycling bin. Ants are drawn to sugars and proteins, and different species have different preferences. Pavement ants trailing across your floor may be after grease, while the odorous house ants following the baseboard may be seeking something sweet.
Water is the other common draw, especially during dry spells. This is why ants often show up in kitchens or bathrooms with minor leaks. This is why you can often find ants going for dripping faucets or condensation around pipes. Scouts are always on the lookout for water sources like that.
Entry points are everywhere in most homes. On Long Island, homes range from century-old colonials to recent construction, but the simple fact never changes. Ants can weasel their way inside through the smallest cracks. So if you have an ant problem, it helps to check for cracks and gaps around foundations, windows, door frames, or even the openings where utility lines enter the house.
If you are tired of ants taking over your home, Mosquito Squad of Long Island can help. Mosquito Squad provides pest control services that address ant infestations at the source, targeting the trails and entry points that connect the colony to your home.
