Ants are persistent creatures that seem to find their way into homes and businesses without fail. Once they establish a trail to a food source, it can feel impossible to stop them. Whether it’s the tiny sugar ants in your kitchen or fire ants causing havoc in your yard, these pests can quickly turn from a nuisance to a full-blown infestation. The key to getting rid of ants is understanding their behavior and taking the right steps to cut off their access to your property.

Ants typically enter homes and businesses in search of food, water, and shelter. Kitchens and pantries are their favorite spots due to the abundance of crumbs and easy access to food. Even the smallest amount of spilled sugar or an open container can attract an ant colony. Once they’ve found a food source, they leave a pheromone trail to lead other ants to the location, which is why they often seem to march in single file.

To stop ants in their tracks, it’s essential to eliminate the things that draw them inside. Keeping your kitchen spotless, wiping down surfaces, and storing food in airtight containers can reduce their chances of finding something to eat. However, simply cleaning up after them is not enough. Ants are resourceful, and 

Another crucial step in ant control is sealing off access points. Ants can slip through the tiniest cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and plumbing. Carefully inspect your home or business for any potential entryways and seal them with caulk or weather stripping. Reducing their access to food and shelter is a strong defense, but it may not be enough to deal with an established colony.

For more severe infestations, professional pest control is often necessary. Ant colonies can be extensive, with multiple queens and thousands of worker ants, making them difficult to eliminate on your own. Professional pest control services use specialized treatments that target both the ants you see and the ones hidden deep in their nests. This ensures complete eradication of the colony and helps prevent future infestations.

Since 2003, Harpoon Pest Solutions has been protecting homes and businesses across Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs from ants and other pests. Their environmentally sound solutions are customized to address specific pest problems, from fire ants in the yard to sugar ants in the kitchen. With a free 58-Point Pest Analysis and the expertise of an in-house entomologist, Harpoon Pest Solutions provides the tailored service you need to keep ants—and other pests—at bay for good.