If you’re wondering how much does pest control cost for ants, you are on the right page. In many instances, homeowners ignore these issues unless it becomes out of hand.
Suppose you finally decide to address this problem, then you can use this article as a guide. Ant infestation should not be disregarded and requires immediate action as soon as possible.
How Do Ant Infestations Happen Quickly?
If there’s one thing to know about ants, it is that they can live practically anywhere. When you see one in your garden, balcony, or yard, there’s a big chance that there are over a hundred of them nearby as these insects live in colonies.
They are attracted to crumbs, spills, foods not properly stored in containers, and especially items with higher sugar content such as sodas and juices. Aside from this, it’s maybe because your house is just accessible through small holes and open windows where the ants can enter the home.
They also love warm temperatures. If they see that your house provides them the necessities they need to survive, such as food, shelter, and water, they will want to move in immediately.
How To Spot An Ant Infestation?
If you’ve seen some ants in the past few days and you are still unsure whether you have an infestation or not, these are the signs you should look out for:
An increasing number of ants
If you start spotting an increasing number of ants in your home, it is a visible sign of a much larger problem. Some ants do not bother people, but they are still recognized as invasive species due to the issues they may bring to a home.
Species like carpenter ants, Argentine ants, crazy ants, and pavement ants are only some of the hundreds of invasive species that might be living in your house right now. Knowing how to identify the types of ant species is a good thing but be sure not to ignore them, or they will grow in number in no time.
Do you have them in your comfort places as well? To know more about how to solve it, here’s a guide on how to get rid of ants in bed.
Sudden appearances of frass on crawl spaces, door jams, and basement areas
Other insects such as termites eat wood and leave frass, but bees and ants push them outside of that hole. This dust-like evidence is an excellent indication of a possible infestation, even if you don’t always see them.
Seeing winged ants
When ants are ready to mate and breed from other colonies, they develop wings to make this happen. They also utilize their wings for collecting food.
This is a severe sign as they are already expanding their colonies to survive within your home.
How Much Is It To Exterminate Ants?
So now, you confirmed that you have an infestation in your house. What’s next?
Well, you have a few choices, including hiring a pest control company for a one-time service or an ongoing process.
Depending on where you live, a one-time service costs around $250 to $600. Of course, an ongoing visit costs higher, as a technician will investigate and diagnose the problem before providing the necessary treatments.
You should also know that every situation differs, and not everything can be covered in one day. Pest control may take time until they solve the issue, and this also means that there is a recurring payment on each visit and treatment.
However, the cost of the following days is usually lower than the initial service, which is only around $150 to $300. You can choose quarterly visits, which is on an average of $100 to $300, or monthly visits, which is around $45 to $75.
Still, the average cost of pest control differs depending on the kind of pest you have at home and the extent of the infestation. For ants, the average pest control is around $100 to $500.
Additional Information: DIY Ant Extermination
If you think that the infestation in your home is still under control and want to do the job of getting rid of them by yourself, then these are the tips that you should know. For DIY ant repellents, you can use some of the household items you might already have in your kitchen and pantry!
1. Boric acid and powdered sugar trap
To do this, combine one part of boric acid with three parts of powdered sugar. The sugar will lure, while the acid will kill the ants.
You can also add water to make it easier for ants to ingest. Note that boric acid is toxic for pets and children, keeping them away from the mixture.
2. Spray ants with a water and soap mixture
Simply mix water, oil, and dish soap on a bottle and spray it directly on ants. Soap removes the scent left by the ants and prevents others from following.
3. Baking soda and powdered sugar trap
Similar to the boric acid mixture, mix the baking soda and sugar, creating a child and pet-safe trap. If your problem includes bed bugs, you should check out this article on how to make a bed bug trap.
Remember that these home remedies are not always 100% as successful as a professional exterminator. It would be best to hire a pest control company to avoid further problems concerning pests.
Conclusion
Ant infestations should never be disregarded. Now that you know how much does pest control cost for ants, you will have a better plan on how to make your home safer and more comfortable for your family.