One by one, four by four ... ah, geez, the Ant Army is on the move again. Ants are one of the most common pests we southerners encounter. It seems that no matter what the weather, ants will make their presence known. Dry conditions can summon them, and wet weather encourages them, too. We can't control the weather, but there are steps homeowners can take to prevent ants from marching into your home.
- Trim, trim, trim! Keep your bushes and shrubs trimmed away from the foundation of your home. Don't leave any vegetation touching your home. Any hanging tree limbs should be cut back far enough not to hang over the house.
- If you have fruit bearing trees, be sure to pick up and dispose of any decaying fruit on the ground.
- Do not over water your shrubs as this can lead to excessive moisture in your mulch.
- Keep outside trash bins rinsed, and do not leave any organic matter behind.
- If Fido doesn't finish his breakfast, be sure to remove his food bowl. Leaving uneaten pet food outside for long periods of time will attract ants.
- Inside your home, be sure to keep counters clean of food, especially sweets and fruits! Ants love sugary substances. When possible, store food in airtight containers.
If these tips don't do the trick, a pest professional at Cingo can march in and help with residential pest control. They can even put a stop to fire ants known to colonize in back yards everywhere.
While you are here, check out the Guide to identify & Treat Backyard Bites & Stings. It's a great quick reference guide that you can even print.
About Cingo: The name Cingo means to surround and secure, conveying the company's commitment to home protection. The company has been protecting families in the Southeast since 1974. It provides home protection services throughout Georgia and South Carolina, including Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston, Douglas, Dublin, Milledgeville, Savannah, Vidalia, Waycross and all points in between. Cingo was named a Best Place to Work in Georgia by Georgia Trend Magazine and listed as a National Best & Brightest Company to Work For. Learn more at www.cingohome.com.