How To Get Rid Of Ants
How to get rid of ants from the home or garden, is one of our most common enquiries. Especially at this time of year. So, in this guide, we break down everything you need to know about ants, and how to get rid of them for good. From DIY to professional ant treatments, to flying ant day in Ireland, and a breakdown of all our ant treatment options. We cover it all.
In Ireland, ants are not dangerous, as they do not bite. However, they are a nuisance. And they are extremely unhygienic. Ants are foragers, and they are not shy about heading indoors. Crawling all over surfaces, foraging for any food they can find. Typically, they are looking for sugary substances to take back to the colony. Ants send scout ants to hunt for food. So, at the beginning of a home infestation, there are just a couple of ants. How most people react to finding ants in their kitchen, is to kill the ants onsite. And assume the problem is solved. However, that is not the case at all. Ants leave scent trails. So, where there is one, more are going to follow. This is why it is essential to know exactly how to treat ants.
DIY Ant Control
There are several ways in which you could DIY an ant control solution. From homemade solutions to shop-bought products. However, we would only recommend a DIY solution in certain circumstances. Such as finding the beginnings of a small colony in early spring. At this point, a DIY treatment should be sufficient enough. We would recommend either using water to drown the colony or using a shop-bought insecticide. However, if using insecticide you need to ensure you can identify the ant species. Repeat as many times as necessary. As once may not be enough.
However, if you discover an ant problem at the height of summer, or if the ants have already made it into your home, a DIY solution may not solve the problem. And the longer an infestation goes on, the larger the colony grows. If ants make it into your home, there are a few steps you can take to treat the infestation yourself. However, at this point, DIY eradication is a long shot. You may need a professional ant treatment.
How to get rid of ants in house DIY method
Step 1: Do not kill ants onsite. Allow them to head back to their colony. This allows you to locate the colony.
Step 2: Once you have located the colony, treat the colony with an insecticide. It is worth noting that shop-bought insecticides may not be strong enough to kill off an entire colony. Especially in the summer months.
Step 3: Kill any ants that are in your home using insecticides or natural products – like vinegar. Then, thoroughly clean all doors, floors and surfaces. We would recommend doing this with a white vinegar and water solution. As vinegar destroys the scent trail. And vinegar is a natural ant repellent.
Step 4: Seal up any entry points, in walls, doors and floors. This will ensure that if any of the colonies survive, they will not have access to your home again.
Professional Ant Treatment
A professional ant treatment is guaranteed to eradicate an ant problem. If it is carried out by a reputable pest control company. An experienced pest control technician is able to locate the colony and identify the species of ants. Which is crucial in determining the necessary treatment. As previously mentioned, ant species determines what insecticide is sprayed. Additionally, a professional pest control company uses professional strength insecticide. Which is much stronger, and more effective than anything shop-bought.
How to Get Rid of Ants – The Ultimate Way
Ultimate Pest Control uses a combination of gel and sprays to eradicate ant infestations. The gel is placed in locations ants frequent, so they can return it to the colony. There, it sterilises the queen. Although she will still produce eggs, they are not viable. Effectively, the colony is being killed off without knowing it. While the spray is used throughout the garden, and sometimes in the home. It kills ants on contact. The combination of the gel and the spray is a highly effective ant treatment.
Ultimate Pest Control provides three different ant control solutions. So, we have solutions to fit all levels of infestation and budget. All of our solutions involve our expert technicians completing a site survey. This involves locating the colony, identifying the ant species and determining the potential ant entry points. After this step, the technician will recommend the appropriate treatment.
Ultimate Ant Solutions
Firstly, we have a once-off ant treatment. A once-off treatment involves treating the affected area with gel and spray. We recommend a once-off treatment in early spring. When the colony is contained in one area. Or in early Autumn, as the colony is retreating for the winter. This treatment isn’t effective for large infestations in the height of summer.
Secondly, we have a 3 part treatment. Which is 3 spray and gel treatments, carried out over the course of a month. A 3 part treatment is an effective solution towards the end of ant season. However, if carried out too early in the season, it is not as effective. Colonies can re-establish as the season goes on.
And finally, we have the most effective ant control solution. The seasonal ant treatment. The seasonal ant treatment runs from early spring into early Autumn. Essentially, a seasonal treatment is the 3 part treatment, with additional visits, as needed. The seasonal ant treatment is the most cost-effective solution. Especially if required at the start of ant season.
Flying Ants Ireland
Flying ant swarms in Ireland occur a handful of times. Usually starting at the end of July and into August. Young queens with their mates take a ‘nuptial flight’. Leaving their colonies, the winged queens and their male partners mate during the flight. The males die after mating. While the queens bite off their wings. And subsequently, find suitable locations to build their own colonies. Usually favouring lawns or wall crevices. The queen begins excavating the nest while looking after the larvae. Until they develop into workers. At which point, the workers take over nest building and rearing ants.
