Ants are small and yet incredibly strong. Research suggests that an ant can withstand 5,000 times its weight being placed on it. They can comfortably carry up to 350 times their body weight before their necks and body begin to stretch.
It’s fascinating yet largely irrelevant as the average ant weighs between 1-5 mg. So, in short, they are not going to compete with what you can lift. This, and the fact they don’t carry disease, make them unthreatening. But, that doesn’t mean they are not annoying, especially when they start entering your house.
If you notice a lot of ants in your home, it’s a good idea to get your local commercial pest control firm involved. While addressing the following reasons is likely to keep them from coming back, the experts will make sure all current ones are eradicated.
Food
Ants, like most creatures, need food to survive. They are largely attracted to sugary foods, but, in truth, ants will eat anything they can find. The problem for you is that there are plenty of crumbs in your house which are appealing to the ants.
You may not notice the crumbs swept onto the floor or even the stickiness on the jam jar. But, the ants will detect it and head straight for it.
It’s worth noting that ants work in a colony. They leave a scented trail that other ants can follow. It can even help them find their way home. You don’t just get one ant; as soon as one finds food, it will tell the rest of its colony, and they will all come to collect it.
Fortunately, you can eliminate this by cleaning all your cupboards out, wiping all the jars to remove any food debris, and then vacuuming and even disinfecting the floors. In short, wipe out all traces of food, and the ants won’t come to visit. This includes keeping open packets in sealed containers.
Shelter
Ants build large nests to house all of them. However, they often build nests in the ground; that’s why you’ll see lots appear when you stand in a certain place. The tremors caused by your feet attract them. But, of course, with climate change and increasing chances of heavy rain and flash floods, ants can quickly lose their home.
They will leave as soon as the nest is in danger and head somewhere else for shelter. That could be your house which is less likely to flood.
Water
The other most common reason for ants to invade your home is when they are searching for water. The drier the weather, the more likely it is that they will visit to find any water you have in the house. It could be a pet drinking bowl, a small leak, or even little bits of water sitting on your countertops.
It’s a good idea to wipe surfaces regularly with a disinfectant and to seal up any gaps in your walls. This will make it harder for ants to enter.
