How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Walls

Carpenter Ants Often Invade Walls

Carpenter Ants Often Invade Walls

How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Walls

The National Pest Association names the 700 species of ants that inhabit the United States as America’s number one nuisance. The three species most people have a problem with are carpenter, odorous and pavement ants.

Carpenter ants are one of the leading natural causes for the destruction of wood. They destroy the wood to build nests, they do not eat it as termites do.

Getting rid of an ant colony in walls can be tricky because it is often difficult to locate the nest and access is usually limited.

Investigate The Problem

The first thing you need to do is find out how the ants are entering to avoid another infestation. Look for large cracks around the foundation and windows at ground level, any tree limbs or bushes touching the roof or walls, cracks or holes in wood siding or trim and any sources of moisture or water such as leaks in pipes. Look for ant trails along carpet edges, door frames, window ledges, rails and anywhere near where you suspect the colony might be nesting.

Carpenter ants like moist wood, structural wood, wall voids, attics, foam and fiberglass insulations, hollow beams and doors, window casings and cabinet voids.

There are a few distinctive sounds that will confirm the location of the nest or colony. When you put your ear or a stethoscope up against the wall you will hear a crunching or rusting sound. If you tap the wall with a screwdriver the startled ants will make a faint clicking sound.

Getting Rid of The Ants

There are several layers or steps of treatment needed when getting rid of ants, aggressive and thorough treatment will bring the best solutions for your pesky problem.

The most effective way to get rid of ants is by baiting, the most common mixture is 1% boric acid, up to 5% water and enough honey to attract the ants. This makes the task a bit easier as they will find you and take the bait. You will need to place several bait stations along the trail, entry points and problem areas. This method does take a few weeks to work but the ants will eventually disappear.

The best way to get behind a wall is by dusting or spraying with boric acid powder. You will need to drill a series of small holes at or near the infestation, using a plastic squeeze bottle with an opening push the boric acid powder behind the walls.

The boric acid powder causes neurological interruption which will cause the ants do dye off. If you have pets or small children it is recommended that you avoid using boric acid powder and other toxic chemicals.

Preventing Further Infestations

There are many things you can do to prevent an infestation, if you have had a past infestation you may have identified some problem areas that can easily be fixed.

Make sure you keep your house clean. If you have young children don’t let them wander around the house with food and drinks, isolate mealtimes and snack times to a highchair, dinner table or snack area. This will keep crumbs and spills in one area for easier clean up.

If you have pets, don’t leave food in their bowls all day, fill the bowls only at feeding time and dispose of the leftovers.

Repair leaky pipes, air conditioning units and gutters, don’t store firewood against the sides of your home and keep it elevated, trim back trim limbs and bushes and seal any cracks in the foundations, siding, windows and doors with caulk.

Non Toxic Spray

Non-Toxic Spray

This non-toxic spray kills larvae, eggs, and adult insects by breaking down their exoskeleton. It is safe to spray around the home and works only on the insects. Feel good about spraying indoors around pets, plants and children.
All Natural Non Toxic Insect Killer Spray by Killer Green

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