The arrival of warmer weather in Singapore does not just mean the return of the usual heat and humidity; it also prompts the surge of pesky ants invading households. According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), the higher temperatures of the warm months increase activity among ants. This causes them to seek out food and shelter far and wide, with homes catching their attention, much to the frustration of homeowners. Thankfully, as detailed below, there are ways to prevent and control these ant invasions.
A quick overview of ant behaviour
Fun fact: Singapore is home to over 40 ant species. During the warmer months, they can all form massive colonies and find themselves in homes with plenty of food to feed on and take shelter in. Getting rid of these pesky intruders starts with understanding their behaviour. For one, they are attracted to food and moisture, so it is vital to maintain cleanliness in the house, especially the kitchen. It is also best to store food in containers with airtight locks they can never squeeze into.
Prevention tips
As with our health, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to pests. According to a 2020 NEA survey, around 85% of households in Singapore experienced ant infestations in the same year. Thus, to prevent ants from entering your home, sealing up as many entry points as possible, like doors, windows, and so on, is recommended. And since they can climb over just about everything, don’t forget to trim any tree branches that may be touching your house to further reduce the odds of them finding their way inside.
Chemical and natural control methods
If you still find ants in your home, there are many chemical and natural control methods you can try first to combat the situation while waiting on pest control services. Ant baits are particularly effective at killing ants from the source as they take the bait back to their nest and feed it to their queen, killing it and reducing their numbers significantly. That said, it is important to note that there is a chance they may ignore the bait once they have already found a food source, so it is best to remove those first to get them to focus on the bait instead. For natural options, you can use diatomaceous earth, cinnamon, or vinegar at their entry points to keep them at bay.
When to get pest control services
For severe infestations, getting professional exterminators is best to effectively remove ants from your home. Their years of experience and proper equipment allow them to get to the root source of any pest problem and eliminate it. They will first assess the entire situation, similar to a termite inspection in Singapore, where they identify the type of termite or pest involved, the cause for their invasion, the damage they have caused, and so on to know the most optimal way to tackle the issue.
Conclusion
Ant infestations are commonplace during Singapore’s warmer months, but there is something you can do to prevent them from intruding into your home. With the tips above, starting with understanding their behaviour and knowing when to call the experts, you can better keep these pests at bay.
If you have an ant infestation on your hands, don’t hesitate to call on pest control services as soon as possible. PestClinic is a highly experienced and trusted company that knows how to deal with all sorts of common and uncommon pests in Singapore in residential, commercial, and industrial properties. For more information regarding our professional residential, commercial, or industrial pest control services, don’t hesitate to contact us today.