Category: How to get rid of ants

Natural tips and tricks for getting rid of ants in your house.

The 3 Things That Attract Ants to a Home!

April 4, 2022 / parkerecopest

So, you’ve got an ant problem in your house and don’t know where to start?

Ants are genuinely a nuisance! And these are the kind of pests that simply attract more unwanted pests. But, when dealing with an ant infestation in Seattle, WA. Homeowners need to understand the factors that attract ants to a home.

Today we’ll not only discuss the 3 things that attract ants to your home but how you can go about getting rid of them.

What are the Tiny Little Ants in My House?

Ant-infestations in the Seattle region are a common problem many homeowners may face. But, before you begin the process of extermination, it’s vital to learn about the species of ant invading your home and the key factors that keep them coming back.

Sugar ants: Sugar ants, aka the banded sugar ant, is a species most attracted to a sweet food source. Now, sugar ants aren’t just attracted to a sweet trail of breadcrumbs. They love anything sweet! Including budding peonies and roses.
Carpenter ants: Carpenter ants build nests in damp conditions. And, as their name suggests, these tiny ants appear to have an affinity for dead or decaying wood.

So, What Attracts Ants to Your Home

When dealing with an ant infestation in Seattle, we recommend reaching out to your local ant exterminators. This is the behavior, and biology will vary from species to species.

But, as a general rule of thumb: regardless of species, most tiny ants and carpenter ants are attracted to warm and humid conditions and a viable food source.

3 Things That Will Attract Ants to Your Home

House ants are a nuisance, and when you’re trying to figure out how to get rid of ants, things get tricky!

At Parker Eco Pest Control, we believe that a preventative approach will be better than a reactive one.

So, before you attempt to get rid of those cheeky sugar ants, it’s essential to ask yourself, what are ants attracted to?

#1. Yes, Sugar Trails Attract Sugar Ants

Just like most pests in Seattle, tiny ants like sugar ants seek a food source to keep their colony thriving.

And, as their name suggests, sugar ants are the type of ants most attracted to a sweet food source. These can include honey, sugar crumbs, spilled juice, and even fruit.

To keep close to their sweet treat, these tiny ants will create nests within the walls and flooring of your home.

When a viable food source has been found, sugar ants leave a pheromone trail that allows other worker ants to locate the source.

#2. Are Ants Attracted to Water? Heck, Yes!

They’re just like any other living creature! Leaky pipes, water heaters, or indoor house plants are all water sources ants are attracted to .

Sugar ants prefer a water source close to their food. In contrast, carpenter ants prefer damp and moist conditions for building nests.

When it comes to keeping ants out of the home, it’s essential to understand the biology of the species of ant infesting your home. Keeping your kitchen area clean and ensuring all cracks or pipes are sealed will help keep your home safe from ants.

Are Ants Attracted to Heat?

One of the most important environmental factors that attract ants to a home is a heat source. As mentioned above, ants love warm, sheltered, and humid conditions. They rely on such conditions to build nests and colonies.

So, what are some sources of heat that could be attracting ants to your home?

Underfloor heating, heated toilets, modems, and other electrical appliances attract ants to a home.

But, it doesn’t stop there! Tiny ants and carpenter ants also appear to have an affinity for electrical appliances.

So, why are ants attracted to electricity?

We don’t actually know the exact reasoning as to why electricity attracts ants. However, one proposed theory appears to be related to heat signature: electrical currents release heat, creating a warm climate, perfect for ants seeking shelter during the winter months.

Another theory proposed by entomologist Dr. Brad Vinson has to do with pheromones. Remember, ants can communicate and follow each other’s trails through pheromones.

Dr. Brad Vinson theorizes that ants, particularly fire ants, have an affinity for electricity as it increases their chances of receiving a shock. And, when an ant is shocked, it releases pheromones, signaling other colony members to follow in pursuit.

Ants in House? Don’t Panic! Parker Eco Pest Control is Here in Seattle.

Pest control technician extermination ant trail, ant control services in Shoreline Washington

Dealing with an ant infestation is undoubtedly not an easy job. While setting up ant baits and killing an active trail may work initially, it does not address the main problem.

But, when dealing with an ant infestation in Seattle, we at Parker Eco Pest Control have got you covered.

Our team of experts works one-on-one with homeowners to determine the source of the ant infestation and how we can control them naturally. So, talk to us today to learn more about natural and eco-friendly ant control in Seattle.

Ant control cost calculator: Apartments, condos, HOAs

March 22, 2019 / Wesley Parker

Figuring out how much ant control costs for an apartment, condo, or homeowner’s association shouldn’t be hard. While it’s impossible to provide a firm bid without seeing the property, we’ve decided to share our basic quote formula with the world.

How to use the ant control cost calculator

Ongoing service or one-time treatment?

Some ants are polygenic, meaning they have multiple nests. It can be extremely difficult to solve an ant issue in a single visit to a multi-family building. We offer that option because it’s possible…but to be honest we usually require at least 2 visits. The first visit is the most expensive and takes the longest. Follow up visits are faster, easier, and less expensive. If your building gets ants every year it is probably less expensive and less of a pain to set up regular visits throughout the year. Deferring treatment can actually be more expensive than regular maintenance because we will charge more to get the issue back under control.

Treat all units, or only some?

Most pest control companies charge “by the door” or unit and assume that all units of a property should be treated. We believe that over applying pesticides is wasteful and potentially harmful. We’ll inspect all the units and advise which should be treated. You will be charged per unit, per visit. For example, we might treat 10 units on the first visit and only 5 on the next visit, saving you money.

Why use “ground floor” square footage?

We apply a perimeter spray around the exterior of the building’s ground floor
— basically anywhere that touches ground and ants can enter. It takes less time and fewer materials to apply a perimeter spray around a tall skinny building than a short and squat building.

Perimeter size matters for condos and apartments

Other factors that impact ant control cost

This calculator is a great starting point but it is not fool proof. Other factors that impact cost are:

Your location. Some areas like Ballard are ant hotbeds. That entire neighborhood is basically one giant ant nest and you will almost certainly need ongoing service.
The size and location of the ant nests. Ant nests outside the building are much easier to treat than nests inside the walls or foundation.
Cleanliness of the residents. As an apartment manager or HOA it can be frustrating when one unit or resident is the source of the issue. If they aren’t willing or able to put food in air-tight canisters and keep the apartment clean, you will have ongoing issues.

Are condos, apartments and HOAs priced the same?

Generally yes. We don’t distinguish between who owns the property or how it is managed when setting prices. One exception might be a property manager who has multiple buildings and is seeking bulk pricing on multiple properties.

Ants: Ecofriendly DIY Options

July 24, 2018 / Wesley Parker

Whether you’re looking to solve the problem yourself or just need some tips between regular visits from Parker Eco Pest Control, we hope you find this information helpful.

Keep your eyes open

HouseAntEcoDIYPestControl Ants use scouts to find new food sources. A single ant out on patrol will locate food and create a trail back to the nest for other ants to follow. More and more ants swarm the area until the food is gone. If you see a single ant roaming across your counter, kill it.

Clean and seal your home

Your kitchen might already be clean but consider taking it to the next level. Wipe your counter and table down with a white vinegar and water mixture after food prep. Clean all dishes immediately. Store your food and dog food in air tight containers. Take your trash out daily. Even the smallest bits of food can attract an ant swarm.

There are also some basic home repairs that can make your home less hospitable for ants. Take a look around your house for damp or decaying wood. Do you have a leak under your sink? Is there a wet wood pile against the exterior wall? You can’t prevent ants from creating nests outside but you can calk cracks around doors and windows so it’s harder for them to enter. If you aren’t sure where the ants are coming from, stage a stakeout. Follow them all the way to the exterior wall where they are entering and seal it off. You likely can’t seal every hole, but look for the major ones.

Make a DIY eco repellant

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth along cracks where you see ants crawling. Distribute a thin, even layer of dust. This is not an immediate solution but it’s safe for kids and pets. It will slowly dehydrate and kill the bugs after coating them. This is one of our favorite products.
Wipe up ant trails with a mixture of vinegar and water.
Put a few drops of essential peppermint oil on a cotton ball. Wipe down cracks where you see ant trails and entry points. You can also leave the infused cotton ball in a pantry, cabinet or entry point. Refresh every few days. Be careful not to damage woodwork with the oil.

Plant a garden

While it might seem counterintuitive to plant more vegetation, consider some ant repelling herbs. Lavender, rosemary and mind have all been shown to repel ants.

Good luck! Feel free to call us if you have any additional questions about ecofriendly methods for controlling ants.