With the right pesticide and some intervention tricks, you can get ants out of your home—and make them stay out—this spring and summer.
The News & Observer spoke with Sydney Crawley, a North Carolina State professor and extension specialist with expertise in insect and vertebrate pests, to learn why they’re in our spaces and how we can reclaim our homes.
“There is some value in making sure that native ants are protected,” she said. “However, when ants start invading the home, contaminating food and annoying people and pets, I believe that control of some sort is warranted.”
Why Do Ants Enter Homes?
Ants come inside homes in search of three basic things: food, water, and nesting habitat.
Food is the No. 1 reason, and many species of ants love protein, sweets, and grease.
“Once a foraging ant has found suitable food, they will communicate this to other foragers, usually through a trail pheromone,” Crawley said.
“This leads more and more workers to the food source, explaining why you may see more ants over time.”
