Ants - Defeating a Shrewd Adversary
Call it a classic case of psychological denial: You spot a solitary
ant marching across your kitchen countertop and squish it with a tissue. A few
minutes later, one of its cousins turns up in the sink, and you blast it with a
torrent of water. It never occurs to you that hundreds—quite possibly
thousands—likely lurk in nooks and crannies until you open a box of cereal and
discover a swarm.
Ants predate humans by 92 million years and roamed the earth
alongside the dinosaurs. These hardy pests are found on every continent except Antarctica, and scientists have
identified approximately 14,000 distinct species.
Ants are opportunists, drawn to areas with ready sources of food and
water. They live in highly organised colonies of thousands, moving the
equivalent of entire cities when nature dictates. When it’s hot, they seek
refuge in kitchen and bathroom sinks, shower trays, cupboards, and even fridges
and freezers. When the weather turns rainy and soil becomes saturated, ants
will simply reorganise the colony and move to higher ground. (An attentive
human may spot new mounds that seem to have materialised overnight.) Perhaps
Sir Francis Bacon said it best: “An ant is a wise creature for itself, but it
is a shrewd thing in an orchard or garden.”
Frustrated homeowners often deal with infestations by purchasing ant
sprays at the local DIY store or supermarket. These poisons will kill the ants
you can see, but will have little or no effect on the hidden colonies where
breeding continues. To complicate matters, the ants you have just killed left a
scent trail that will draw their compatriots to the scene of the crime.
To destroy an ant population, it is best to consult a pest-control professional. Many companies will provide free estimates when you describe your problem. If you procrastinate, colonies will expand, become more deeply embedded and prove harder to eliminate.
Once a professional has eradicated existing colonies, prevention is paramount:
- Never allow dishes to pile up in sinks or accumulate in the dishwasher.
- Sweep crumbs from floors each day, and vacuum regularly.
- Clean kitchen surfaces after meal preparation.
- Allow mops and towels to dry thoroughly. Ants are drawn to moisture.
- Store food in airtight containers. If you have pets and store their food outside, the same rule applies.
- Check interior and exterior walls for cracks and crevices that serve as open invitations to ants and other insects.
- Block exterior gaps around pipes where they enter the home.
- Make sure bins are tightly covered.
- Trim tree branches that make contact with your roof or eaves.
- Walk the perimeter of your home to inspect for leaky water taps.
- Keep rain gutters in good repair.
- When watering lawns or grass, never over saturate them. This will force ants in underground colonies to ground level.
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