Pest infestations are no fun, and ants in particular are a hard-to-remove nuisance. They’re small, fast, and can cause damage to your home. It’s no wonder that the internet is full of DIY techniques for ant control and extermination.
No matter how large your ant infestation is, you’re probably willing to do whatever it takes to regain control of your home. Hopeful homeowners might wonder, will ants eventually go away on their own? Unfortunately, the realities of pest control are a little more complicated than that.
Understanding Ant Infestations
Ant infestations begin when worker ants, which are the ants that travel outside of the colony, find a source of food. Say this food source is an open bag of sugar in your kitchen cabinet. The worker ants will travel back to their colony once they’ve found the sugar, and they’ll leave a pheromone scent trail that leads to the sugar bag.
More ants will follow that trail, and you’ll notice ants traveling throughout your home. If an infestation is more advanced, ants could establish a nest in a quiet corner of the house. A large nest might eventually lead to damage, as ants can chew through plastic, wood, and various kinds of insulation.
DIY Ant Control
If you’re reluctant to call in professional help for your ant infestation, consider DIY control methods. Regular cleaning is one of the best things you can do to prevent ant infestations or dissuade existing pests from spreading throughout your home. Seal food, clean up any spills or crumbs, and sweep and vacuum regularly.
You can also try using ingredients that you have around the house to discourage ant infestations. Try applying essential oils like peppermint or clove oil to areas around your home. You can also place coffee grounds in outdoor areas where ants have established nests.
Make a note of when you start applying DIY treatments and how many ants you see each day throughout the treatment process. Records like this will help you gauge the effectiveness of your efforts.
Waiting Out The Infestation
If your DIY attempts don’t work, you might be tempted to leave your ant infestation alone in hopes that it works itself out. Unfortunately, it’s very unlikely that ants will go away on their own.
If ants have already established themselves in your home, it’s because they find certain conditions favorable. If you’ve tried cleaning and sealing off food and you’re still not seeing an improvement, you might need professional help. A team of pest professionals can determine what is attracting the ants and how best to treat that root issue.
When To Call For Help
Many people who are struggling with ants in their home wonder if ants eventually go away on their own. Unfortunately, the chances of a large ant infestation resolving itself are slim to none. If your ants aren’t responding to DIY treatments, it’s time to get professional help.
So, will ants eventually go away on their own? Not necessarily, but H2 Pest Control is here for you. Call us today for help with your stubborn pest problems.