Most species of ants eat a lot of food in the autumn to carry them over through hibernation in the winter. Now it’s summer and here come the ants again: carpenter ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants, pharaoh ants and thief ants. They’re at their peak this time of year in Maine, invading South Portland homes and properties.
But what are the dangers of them making our food their food? For one, contamination. Ants can transmit food borne disease organisms such as E. coli, Shigella, Staphylococcus and Salmonella. Another problem that can arise comes from DIY treatment methods. If you use harmful chemicals, the ants could track these chemicals across your counters and other surfaces, thus, contaminating foods and food-prep areas. Other DIY methods that suggest putting chili or cayenne pepper are not recommended, especially if you have babies, toddlers, or pets.
Here are some tips you can implement to help prevent ants from entering your home:
- Keep your yard neatly trimmed
- Remove stagnant water sources
- Clean up any spilled or dropped food immediately
- Don’t leave pet food on the floor or the back porch
- Seal entry points, such as tiny gaps and cracks, along your foundation and walls
While these methods help keep ants away from your home, it is almost impossible to keep them all out with DIY methods.
That’s where we come in. There are reasons why Big Blue Bug Solutions has been in business for more than 80 years. One reason is the effective quality of service our company provides in preventing and eliminating pests. And our customer reviews speak for themselves. On Google, we have received nearly 500 reviews and have a 4.9 ★ rating.
A recent customer wrote:
“One of the things I like about the Big Blue Bug technicians is that they are very calm and explain everything so clearly. Our recent technician was perfect, not in a hurry, kind, happy to explain, and friendly. Thank you Nick V.!”
Give us a call today and let us help take care of the pest that bug you!