Here’s How to Get Rid of Every Kind of Ant

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It’s a problem we’ll all deal with at some point. You go to get a snack out of the kitchen cupboard and find ants have invaded. Or maybe your child left crumbs in the living room and now ants are enjoying a feast. Perhaps you occasionally find a stray ant in the bathroom, basement or even the bedroom.

Now what?

With more than 700 species of ants in the United States, getting rid of ant infestations is a big business. Some ants can do serious structural damage to your home while others are more of a nuisance. Here are four tips to keeping ants away for good.

Ant Control 101

While there are hundreds of species of ants, there are some things you can do to prevent any of them from invading your home.

1. First, if you see an ant, try to determine where it came in. Are ants coming in through any gaps or cracks near windows, doors or your home’s foundation? Seal any gaps you find.

2. Some ants love feasting on lumber and firewood. If you have extra lumber in your basement or have a wood-burning fireplace, be sure to locate the wood pile outside and away from your home, if possible. Firewood is among these 10 things you shouldn’t store in your home or garage.

3. Keep your kitchen clean. Wipe down counters regularly and clean up any crumbs or spills immediately. Also, make sure pantry food is sealed to prevent ants from getting into your groceries. Ever wonder how ants know when there are crumbs on the floor? Here’s the answer!

4. Some ants, including destructive carpenter ants, are drawn to water, so make sure water is diverted away from your home. That includes your basement, crawlspace and away from your home’s foundation. Put an end to ant problems with these inexpensive products.

Plus, here’s how to quickly get rid of ants.