How to Get Rid of Ants

Signs of Ants in the Home

The signs of an ant infestation will differ depending on the species of ants. Carpenter ants, for instance, will leave trails of sawdust along the corners and edges of the wooden structures that they burrow into. In severe cases, these ants can cause enough structural damage that you’ll hear a hollow sound if you tap on the wall. 

For all other ants, the best way to get ahead of an infestation is to be able to see and recognize ants when they make their way into the home. Carpenter ants are large and black, while a species like the odorous house ant are smaller and sometimes hued in shades of dark brown. Take note of where you’re finding them, as it plays a big factor in what you need to do to get rid of them.

Ant Prevention Tips 

Many bloggers online boast “all-natural” ant repellents, much to varying degrees of success. If you spray and clean with white vinegar, sprinkle cinnamon around entry points, or soak cotton balls in a solution of borax and sugar – will that kill ants? Sure, maybe. But killing a few ants here and there won’t stop a full-blown infestation.

That doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do to combat ants in the home. To prevent an ant infestation, you can: 

• Find entry points, like in poorly sealed windows or doorways, and seal them up with caulk to block access. 
• Clean consistently to avoid crumbs and food particles being left to attract ants.
• Keep food in sealed containers, further eliminating potential food sources. 
• Remove any wet or rotting wood that can attract carpenter ants and other wood-boring pests.

Common Ants in Lubbock Texas

Ants are one of the biggest pest problems. The ones we deal with most frequently are as follows.

• Carpenter Ants
• Fire Ants
• Odorous House Ants
• Pavement Ants
• Acrobat Ants
• Argentine Ants
• Harvester Ants
• Little Black Ants
• Pharaoh Ants

Getting Rid of Fire Ants

Fire ants are an unpleasant fact of life here in Lubbock TX, and they need to be approached with a certain degree of caution. Fire ants dig mounds outside a property, and if disturbed they will swarm en masse and inflict painful bites on any exposed skin. 

There are two ways you can get rid of a fire ant nest. If you are able to cover up sufficiently, you can wait until midday and physically dig the nest out, as well as the surrounding area. Dump the mound into a bucket and cover it with hot and soapy water. Alternatively, if you don’t want to risk direct contact with fire ants, you can pour baking soda and vinegar into the mound and kill them that way.

These are the two best ways you can hope to eliminate a fire ant infestation. If neither of them works, that means it’s time to call the professionals.