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How to get rid of small ants

How to get rid of small ants

Ants are a common pest all over the world. In Australia they can be a particular stubborn problem as the heat and humidity create ideal breeding conditions. While they’re small individually, ant infestations can cause huge issues in your house. If you have noticed tiny brown ants in your home, or simply want to be prepared, keep reading to learn exactly how to get rid of small ants.

How to keep small brown ants out of your house

You’ve noticed there are brown ants in your house. Chances are there’s even more than the ones you’ve spotted. Acting quickly before they spread too much is important. Here’s everything you need to know, from why they’re there to how to keep them away.

Why are there tiny brown ants in your house?

You may notice tiny brown ants in the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom or any other area of your house. Ant infestations are very common, but easy to act against! Here are the main reasons why you’d expect to see ants in your home:

  • Food - It won’t come as a surprise that ants are likely in your house in search of food. Once one ant finds a source of food, more will soon follow. They are particularly attracted to sugary sweets, honey and syrups. Make sure you keep all lollies in airtight containers and don’t leave any food out in the open. Even the smallest remainder of food could be the start of an infestation. Avoid this by wiping all surfaces and emptying your rubbish bins regularly.
  • Water - Ants might also enter your house to find water. Any leaking tap or damp area may be enough to attract small ants. Even small amounts of water can be sufficient for a colony of ants for a long stretch of time. That means you’ll want to ensure you dry any spills. If there are often puddles of water in certain areas, the ants will rely on them and stick around.
  • Weather - You can’t control the weather, but you can be aware of how it might impact the likelihood of an ant infestation. Ants are more active during warmer months. In most of Australia, you can expect to see more of them from October to March. However other conditions, such as heavy rain or severe drought, can also increase the chances of having an ant infestation in your home.

Having ants in your home might not immediately seem like a cause for concern. However, ants can actually be responsible for a number of issues in your house. Small brown ants can carry bacteria which can be harmful to humans. Certain types of ants might also exacerbate asthma or other respiratory issues. 

Beyond that, they can cause havoc in your kitchen, getting into your pantry and ruining food. To top it all off, ants don’t come alone. If you see a few ants in your home, there are likely many more following. Ants live in large colonies and when they infest your home, they all move in, creating nests in your house.

So, you now know why they might be in your house, but do you know how to get rid of small ants? You can choose tactics to repel ants in order to prevent infestation, as well as methods that eliminate existing infestations.

Ways to get rid of brown ants 

The good news is that there are many ways to get rid of brown ants. Whether you’ve noticed tiny brown ants in a bedroom or hunting for food in your kitchen, there are easy steps you can take.

Store-bought methods

The most effective store-bought method will be a home crawling insect killer. These are incredibly effective, quickly targeting all crawling insects, from tiny brown ants to cockroaches. Spray the ants directly to kill them. The Aerogard Home Crawling Insect Killer spray is suitable and for use around your family home.

You can also try ant sand, which can be placed outside your home for ants to find. These use poison to kill ants on contact and can be used to prevent ant problems, or treat an existing infestation. 

Frequently asked questions

Why are there small brown ants in my house?

Ants invading your home is very unpleasant. They may be small, but they come in great numbers and can even cause allergies. Ants are attracted to food, especially sweet foods like sugar, syrups or honey. If you notice tiny brown ants in your house the most likely reason is there is food somewhere in your house they’ve been able to access.

What keeps tiny brown ants away?

The methods used to get rid of ants in your house are similar to the methods used to get rid of bugs in your backyard. You can keep ants and other crawling insects away by keeping all food packed away in airtight containers. Another tip is to use scents that ants are sensitive to in order to ward them away. 

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