Tips to Avoid an Ant Infestation
When visitors from out of town escape to their winter home and the warmth of Florida, they often expect to have a few guests. They prefer the human kind, but often pests may also arrive in the form of ants. Homes in Florida tend to see an influx of ghost ants and white-footed ants at this time of year. Both of these pests come indoors in search of food and 
water, which are plentiful when people return to their winter homes. Massey Services wants homeowners to know the facts about these kinds of ant infestations.
Ghost ant colonies can run into the thousands, and while they nest mainly outside in plant materials near a home’s foundation, they can form colonies indoors in wall voids, behind cabinetry and in any dark places. You may find them in your kitchen or bathroom. White-footed ants nest in decaying plant materials, such as palms, leaf litter and hollow plant stems, but they may also set up colonies in wall voids and under attic insulation.
Ants like sheltered spaces that allow them easy access to food and water. Here are some tips to keep them out of your home.
- Keep plant material away from your home.
- Trim back shrubs and make sure mulch and ground cover are at a distance from the homes foundation
- Check under attic insulation for the ant colonies.
If you do find an ant infestation, work with a trained pest prevention expert to remove them from your home. Hardware store and DIY remedies are only temporary. If a large colony of ants has taken up residence in your home you’ll need professional help to remove them and put a plan in place to keep them from coming back.
CLICK HERE to contact us for a free, no obligation pest inspection of your home, whether it’s your winter home or you live in Florida year-round.