How to Manage Pests

Overall strategy

Focus efforts on keeping ants out of the house. Follow good sanitation practices to make your home less attractive to ants. Spraying ants inside the home will not prevent more ants from entering. Use baits to control the ant colony.

When ants invade your home, take immediate action

• Sponge invaders with soapy water as soon as you see them.
• Plug up ant entryways with caulk or petroleum jelly.
• Remove infested potted plants.
• Clean up food sources such as sugary spills, pet food, or garbage.
• Rely on baits to control the ant colony.

Prevention

• Follow good sanitation practices and focus efforts on excluding ants from buildings.
• Keep ants off of trees or shrubs near buildings.
• Be prepared for annual invasions by caulking and baiting before the influx.

Nest treatments

• Indoor treatments of wall voids and indoor nest sites may be necessary; call a professional pest control operator.