Be diligent year-round to prevent ants

Mel Whitson, Senior Field Technical Service Manager, Zoëcon Professional Products

Ants don’t take the winter off, and neither can we. Once the temperatures drop, foraging ants seek shelter and food. Let customers know that being diligent about preventive measures year-round can save a lot of headaches down the line.

Integrated pest management (IPM) programs are a tried-and-true method for handling ant populations.

A few tips for implementing a comprehensive IPM program for ants include:

• Prevent ants before they become a problem. Seal cracks and crevices where ants could find their way inside. Also, make sure to eliminate what attracts ants in the first place by keeping floors and surfaces clear of food and water.
• If ants do become a problem, prebait them in an inconspicuous area after initial inspection. Determine what they have been feeding on, remove food sources and continue baiting in inaccessible areas. Follow their trails after they begin accepting baits to determine how they got in, and what is attracting them. Bait other, similar areas at the account to prevent colonies from budding.
• Use all cleaning methods at your disposal, both before and after an ant population sighting. Use soapy water or your preferred cleaning solution to keep surfaces clean and clear.

Customers and PMPs can work together to handle ant problems. Make sure your customers know they can come to you with any questions.