A Complete Guide to Remove Ants from Wall Void

Ants are tiny little creatures that are always on the go either searching for food, building and protecting their colony, or feeding their young. We can all learn a lot from these insects as they work (social insects)  together to ensure the survival of the colony. It has been discovered that some species of ants work together to solve complex problems and find solutions to solving these problems. There are more than 15,700 ant species worldwide and many others are not named yet by science.

Ants are one of the most common insects that can be found in our yards, gardens, homes, and even building structures, when ants show up at our doorstep be sure they are in search of food or scouting out an area that’s fitting to construct their colony.

An ant infestation can become a serious issue, colonies can consume large quantities of organic material, and cause major structural damage, for example, carpenter ants create nests in hollow areas of wood that are moist and starting to decay. Carpenter ants don’t eat the wood but cause major damage by tunneling through. Some ants pose major health issues to people and animals. When ants sting they release a chemical called formic acid into the skin, some people are allergic to formic and could experience an allergic reaction. Because of the many issues ants cause it’s best to take quick action especially if an infestation is discovered.

How to Know if You Have an Ants Infestation in Your Wall

If ants are spotted coming out of your wall it is an indication that the wall has voids or cracks, ants are attracted to areas that are moist and warm and where they can have easy access to food and water. This is usually near kitchen sinks, damp wooden walls, pipes, etc…. if you see ant trails or ants look for holes and entry points that attract them. Another sign of ants in your wall is a soft scratching and the sound of gnawing, this sound is made as they eat away on the wood inside your wall.

What Common Ants Species Live in Wall Voids

Argentine ants: Their nest can be found in wall voids, insulation, and bath traps, their diet consists of greases, sugars, and carbohydrates.

Acrobat Ants: nest in window frames and doors, especially wood caused by termite damage, moisture, and other insects. Acrobat ant’s diets consist of proteins and sweets.

Crazy ants: Can be found in wall voids in potted plants and under carpets, their diet consists of grease, sweets, oils, and fats.

Citronella ants: These are winged ants that swarm indoors from cracks and gaps in floors, basements, foundations, and walls. Their diet consists of honeydew mealybugs found underground and aphids.

Carpenter ants: Build their nest in wood that is sound or decayed by moisture or damaged by other insects. These ants can be found in attic rafters, bay window voids, wall voids, hollow doors, insulation in attics and crawlspaces, ceiling voids next to skylights, homes with flat roofs, dormers, and hollow porch columns, holes or cracks where utility lines enter the home. Their diet consists of carbohydrates, sweets, and other insects.

Ghost ants: Nest behind baseboards, voids, in firewood that is brought indoors, voids between cabinets, nest inside potted plants. Ghost ants forge into kitchen areas in search of grease.

Little black ants: They may nest in wall voids indoors, in stone veneer and cabinets.

Odorous ants: Nest near bath traps, termite-invested wood, in moist areas, in wall voids, and near pipes. Their diet consists of carbohydrates and sweets.

Pharaoh ants: Can be found in places with moisture for example bathrooms and kitchens, behind windowsill or baseboards, interior wall voids, near water sources, and under floors..They feed on sweets and proteins.

How to Eliminate Ants in Walls

Eliminating ants in walls is usually accomplished with insecticides, ant spray, ant bait, or dust,  a combination of ant baits and insecticide dust has proven to be effective for ants control. Ant dust works as a barrier for your walls while ant bait will help to lure ants out of their hiding places along with eliminating the colony

Inspect the Site: Do a thorough inspection of the infestation and identify what ant species you are dealing with. Different ant species have different behavior and require different chemicals, evaluate the level of infestation to devise a plan.

Outdoor Treatments: The presence of ants indoors is a sure sign that they came from outdoors so spray the foundation with a barrier insecticide. Apply the insecticide about 2-3 feet up the wall of the house foundation and 2-3 feet out from the foundation.

Insecticide Dust: Insecticide dust can be placed in a duster followed by puffing dust into the wall, the dust will move throughout the wall void eliminating ants.

DIY Remedies

A common DIY ant treatment involves boric acid or “borax” based ant bait.” If you know what food the ants like, try mixing the borax with the bait. Or, sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your home’s entry points. Diatomaceous earth won’t harm people or pets. Diatomaceous earth works by dying out the insect’s exoskeleton which causes the insect to lose water causing the insect to suffer from dehydration leading to the insect’s death. However, keep borax from kids and pets.

A Pest Control Company

Note: It’s best to call in a pest control company to do the job for you especially if you have an infestation in the wall because it may be difficult to control.

Ants Prevention

Putting a plan in place to deter ants is the best defense to ant control, here are practices to implement.

Cleanup leaf litter

Mulch and wet leaves that are piled up against your house are not only a breeding ground for ants but make it easy for ants to enter your home once they find an entry point. Some ant species will use this condition to build a new nest or for cover even foraging. Ensure that vegetation, mulch, and leaf litter are kept about 10-12 inches away from the foundation.

Seal Gaps and Cracks

Ants like other pests and rodents show up at your doorstep for food, water, and shelter. Make sure that cracks and holes are sealed around your foundation, doors, windows, siding, holes where electrical and water pipes enter your home and brickwork

Keep Trees Trimmed

Ants will use the branches of trees that are making contact with your home as highways or bridges to get onto the building followed by trying to find an entry point. The key is to cut back any branch or limb that is making contact with your home.

Reduce Moisture

Ants need water to survive so it’s important to fix any leaky plumbing indoors as well as outdoors, water should be removed from the center cups of plants that hold moisture. Remove all containers from the outdoors that have the potential to hold moisture also don’t overwater your grass. The key is to eliminate all excess moisture that can encourage ant’s activity.

Store and Dispose of Food Properly

• Make sure to thoroughly clean areas where food is prepared and consumed.
• The garbage storage area outside should be cleaned at all times, the containers should have properly tightly lids.
• Ensure that food packages are properly sealed at all times.
• Containers that are used for food storage should be covered with lids.
• Ensure to clean pets’ food bowls once they are finished for that day.
• Pet foods should be properly sealed.
• It’s recommended to” rinse drink and food containers before throwing them into the trash can”.
• Reguarally vacuum your floor.

Conclusion

The removal of ants from your walls may take some work but the good news is this guide can help you to accomplish that. Whether you’re dealing with ants in your wall or seeking ways to prevent ants from entering your home This guide is here to help you stop ants in their tracks. Why should these pests be allowed to infest and overrun your home when you can strike back and win the war on ant infestation?