How To Get Rid of Tiny Ants in Your Kitchen
What Are Tiny Ants?
They are very small, but also tenacious. They march into your kitchen as if they own it, and they keep coming in seemingly endless numbers. These tiny ants coming into your kitchen may not bite or seem like much of a threat, but they can carry pathogens and leave them behind as they walk through your food and your food preparation surfaces. Knowing ow to control tiny ants near sinks and on counter tops is crucial, because it can protect your family’s health.
The Most Common Types of Kitchen Ants
If you have noticed tiny ants in your kitchen, you may have called them sugar ants. It might surprise you to learn that, while they probably are looking for sugar and other food sources, there are actually a number of ant species that visit the kitchen, and they are not called sugar ants. Knowing which species is in your kitchen can help you tailor your strategies for getting rid of them. Some of the most common species include:
- Odorous house ants: These ants are attracted to sugar, and smell bad when they are crushed.
- Argentine ants: if you are wondering how to control tiny brown ants near sinks, you are probably seeing these little ants, which like sweets and form large colonies in kitchens.
- Pavement ants: Dark brown to black, these ants are just as likely near a sidewalk or driveway as in the kitchen, and they are drawn to a variety of foods.
- Pharoah ants: These tiny yellow ants like sweets and fatty foods.
- Crazy ants: Moving erratically and quickly, these little ants are attracted to sweet and greasy foods.
- Ghost ants: Tiny, pale, and hard to control, these nearly translucent little ants like sweet foods.
- Thief ants: These little yellow ants are known for stealing from other ant colonies and are attracted to a variety of foods.
How to Get Rid of Tiny Ants in Your Kitchen
The first step in getting ants to vacate your kitchen is to clean up any food or water in the kitchen. Those are the things they are looking for in your house, so if you are vigilant about keeping foods and spills off of your kitchen counters, you will be less likely to have ants. Store food in airtight containers, clean pet food bowls, and don’t leave honey, syrup, and other sweet foods out or uncovered. When you see ants, look for their entry point, and seal any cracks or crevices to keep them from re-entering. Then use ant bait stations, to target the ant colony. Don’t use repellents in spray bottles, because this can cause ants to scatter and build their nests in different areas, rather than leaving. If you find that you can’t seem to control the ant infestation, call for professional assistance. Professional pest control companies have access to better products and strategies than homeowners do, and they can get rid of ants more quickly and effectively.
Keeping Ants from Coming Back
Knowing how to exterminate ants in a house is more than just ant extermination. Learning how to control tiny ants also means preventing reinfestation of your home. This is a matter of maintaining the cleanliness of your kitchen and remaining vigilant about keeping food stored in airtight containers and surfaces wiped clean of food debris. You must also keep a tidy yard, so that ants don’t have the opportunity to build nests and make their way into your home. Consider preventative pest control, which is a very effective way to prevent infestations in your house.
Professional Tiny Ant Control by Apex Pest Control
At Apex Pest Control, our technicians know how to identify and control various species of ants. We employ a variety of strategies, often using bait stations and gels where ants will find them, but children and pets won’t be able to access them. When the worker ants bring the insecticides back to their nests, it eradicates the infestation by killing the colony. Our pest control experts know exactly how to use targeted methods like this to get rid of ants and keep them from reinfesting your home.
Apex Pest Control: Ants Exterminator in Sacramento
If you need ant pest control in Sacramento, California, look no further than Apex Pest Control. For over 40 years, our family owned business has provided comprehensive pest control services, tailored to meet the unique needs of Sacramento homeowners. Our team of dedicated professionals, led by experienced industry experts, provides expert service to safeguard homes and businesses against pests. Striving to be leaders in the pest control industry, we continuously improve our methods, staying abreast of the latest advancements in order to exceed our customer’s expectations by providing the highest quality of service. For more information about our pest control and preventative maintenance programs, take the first step towards a pest-free home by contacting us today to schedule a consultation.