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How to Manage Pests

Key to Identifying Common Household Ants


Southern Fire Ant

Southern fire ant—Quick management tips

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 entryways with caulk or petroleum jelly.
  • Clean up food sources such as sugary spills, pet food, or garbage.
  • Rely on baits to control the ant colony.

Prevention
Cleaning up spills

Clean up spills to make your home less attractive to ants

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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