There are several ways in which an ant infestation can be tackled, and one of the methods that are commonly used is the ant trap. However, do ant traps really work, or are they one of the more ineffective methods available? Let’s find out.
How ant traps work
Ant traps could just as well be referred to as ant baits. They work by attracting ants with a piece of food that is laced with insecticide. Usually the insecticide is slow-acting, so that it would be shared around the colony. Over the span of a few weeks, more and more workers will die, and eventually, the food will reach the queen, killing it.
The limitations of the ant trap
Ant traps can be quite effective at dealing with an infestation, and they are the go to for pest control professionals in many situations. However, they do have their limitations. First, you have to identify the species responsible for the infestation. Some ant species respond to specific types of baits, while others will not go for the bait at all. This is why DIY efforts using ant traps usually fall flat.
In most situations, you cannot really remove an ant infestation without the help of a pro, because it can be hard to know which bait to use, and where to place it. Most DIY efforts that succeed are those that target an ant nest directly, but in order to do this, you have to locate the nest so that insecticide may be applied.
Getting the help of a professional
With dozens of species that could be responsible for a home infestation, the most effective way to remove ants from your home or property is to work with a pest control professional. An ant nest must be destroyed completely in order for control efforts to be effective. If you just apply repellent, ants may no longer enter certain areas of the home, but if you are dealing with carpenter ants, you still have the issue that the colony will continue doing damage to the home. If you go with ant traps, your efforts may kill a decent proportion of the ant population, but the queen will simply replenish the workers lost. To find out more about professional pest control services, or if you are interested in hiring a pro to take care of an ant infestation, contact us today.