Though long considered as an indoor pest, ants are also very active outdoors, and are a general help to the environment.
Ants can aerate the soil, control other insect populations, and even act as decomposers by breaking down organic matter.
Knowing this, it is crucial for one to use the correct kind of ant control when dealing with an ant infestation.
Ants live in colonies, which consist of a multitude of worker or scout ants, some breeders, some soldier ants, and one queen.
Scouts or worker ants are responsible for foraging for food.
To enable other scouts to track the source of food, they leave scent trails for each other to follow to and from the colony.
They generally relay information from one worker to the other, and when it has been confirmed in the colony, they begin their long arduous march to collect their food.
Ant colonies vary in structure and size, and some ants may even create independent colonies complete with their own queens, located nearer a source for food and water.
One of the best methods of ant control is to eliminate their source of food.
Preventing scouts from foraging for food, or using deterrents placed in places where you store your food is a good way to stop ants from bugging you.
Seal or store all edible material in tightly sealed containers or store them in the refrigerator.
Ensure that your area is clean and free of crumbs.
Make sure that kitchen counters, sinks, cabinets, and shelves are kept meticulously clean.
Restrict their water source by making sure the kitchen sink is dry after use, and checking for leaking faucets.
If ants get their food source from a pet's feeding bowl, a very effective and easy way to prevent this is to place a larger plate or bowl with soapy water underneath the feeding bowl.
This 'moat' will prevent any access to the foodstuffs on the bowl.
Barring the ants from entering your home is easy.
The use of household products such as Vaseline, chili powder, cinnamon, and boric acid discourage ants from moving into the house, since they detest the taste and scent of these products.
However, since these methods wear off in time, sealing all cracks, crevices, holes and gaps in your house is the best possible pest management method.
Lastly, eliminating the scent trail left by scouts is another way to be rid of ants.
Once scouts are unable to locate their colony, the cannot carry food back or regroup.
When you find scouts, kill them quickly and wipe away their scent trail using a sponge dipped in soapy water.
Tracing the route of the ant scout and wiping away its scent trail will prevent it from marching into your house and infesting your food.
However, if all else fails, you can also consider the use of pesticides or hiring the aid of a professional pest management company to solve the problem for you.