Ants and Your Kitchen
Ants are a common sight in the kitchen and many people assume that they are harmless. However, ants can contaminate your food and spread disease. Here’s what you need to know about ants and food safety.
How Ants Contaminate Food
Ants are attracted to food by the smells of sugar and other carbohydrates. Once they find a food source, they leave behind a pheromone trail that attracts more ants to the area. This can quickly lead to an infestation, especially if the food is not properly sealed or stored.
Ants can also contaminate food through diseases they carry. They can pick up bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens on their bodies and then transfer them to food-contact surfaces or to the food itself. This is why it’s essential to clean up any ant trails and keep food storage areas clean and free of pests.
Ant Prevention Tips
The best way to deal with ants is to prevent them from coming into your home in the first place. To prevent ants from infesting your kitchen, follow these tips:
- Keep food in tightly sealed containers.
- Wipe up spills and crumbs immediately.
- Store food in the refrigerator or freezer if possible.
- Use ant baits or traps to control populations.
- Seal cracks and holes in walls and floors
If You Have Ants in Your Kitchen
If you’re dealing with ants in your kitchen, it’s important to take action quickly. Here are a few tips to get rid of ants in your kitchen:
Identify where they’re coming from. Ants typically come into your home searching for food. If you can find out where they’re getting in, you can stop it.
Eliminate their food source. Once you know where the ants are getting in, remove any food sources attracting them. This may mean sealing cracks and crevices, cleaning up spills quickly, and storing food in airtight containers.
Disrupt their trail. If you see ants marching through your kitchen, you can disrupt their path with a vinegar solution. Simply mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz the ants whenever you see them.
Comprehensive Ant Control Services
If you’re dealing with an ant infestation in your kitchen, call the team at Pestex Inc today at (617) 332-3344 to get your home back to normal and keep your food safe.
