How Should Centennial Residents Prepare for Ant Awakening in Spring

Spring in Centennial, Colorado means melting snow and a smiling sun. But blooming flowers and warmer days can also mean the presence of ants. Ants wake up and start looking for food, water, and shelter as the weather warms up. Sadly, they can head straight into your home if you are not ready. Preparing for this annual ant awakening does not have to be stressful. A few simple steps help you stay ahead of the problem and keep your spring ant-free. Also, this lets you reach out to saelapest.com experts as needed.  

Why Ants Show Up in Spring

Ants are cold-blooded, so they slow down a lot in the winter. Most ants stay hidden in their nests, staying warm and conserving energy during the colder months. But they become active again once the ground starts to warm up and the days get longer. 

Spring is their time to search for food and expand their colonies. This is why you will suddenly see trails of ants in your kitchen or bathroom. Also, ants may be crawling along your baseboards. 

Where Ants Like to Go

Most ants do not randomly wander around your home. They are usually looking for food and water. Centennial homes can give them both, especially after a long winter. Understanding where ants like to go helps you know where to focus your efforts. Common indoor hotspots include:

• Kitchens. Ants can attack your kitchen to find crumbs, spills, and pet food. 
• Bathrooms. Leaky pipes or damp floors attract thirsty ants. These are available in the bathroom.
• Pantries. Open food containers or loose sugar and flour in pantries can draw ants in.
• Basements. Moisture and quiet areas are perfect for nesting. This makes basements the ideal hotspots for ants. 

Preparing for Increased Ant Activity

The steps below can help you prepare for the return of ants in spring:

• Keep your home clean. Ants are coming in for food, so make sure they won’t find any. Centennial homeowners can start spring off right with a good deep clean, especially in areas ants love. Wipe down counters and sweep floors regularly. Store food in sealed containers and take out the trash often. 
• Seal up entry points. Ants do not need much of a gap to get inside. Inspect your home’s exterior and seal up any cracks or openings in early spring. Look for gaps around doors and windows, cracks in the foundation, openings around pipes and cables, and unsealed vents or screens. Use caulk or weather stripping to close up these spots. 
• Trim back nature. Centennial is full of beautiful trees and gardens but these outdoor plants can sometimes help ants make their way into your home. Ants often build nests near foundations or under mulch. They use branches or tall grass as bridges into your house. You can keep these pests from infesting your home by keeping bushes and trees trimmed away from your siding and roof and ensuring mulch does not touch your foundation. Move firewood piles away from the house and fix any drainage issues to prevent standing water.
• Use ant deterrents early. Don’t wait until you see ants to take action. Starting early with ant deterrents can stop them before they even get started. Use natural repellents like vinegar spray or essential oil. Also, place ant bait stations in areas where you have seen them before. Sprinkling diatomaceous earth near entry points can also deter ants. 
• Consider Preventive Pest Control. A lot of Centennial homeowners work with pest control professionals to stay ahead of spring ants. Regular, year-round service can help spot early signs of a colony before it becomes a bigger issue. Professionals know where ants are likely to nest and how to treat them safely and effectively. Plus, they can give your home a customized prevention plan based on its layout and your yard.