Ant Removal Services in Edinburgh

To solve the problem, you first need to understand the root cause of what is attracting these pests in to your work and home. Ants are social creatures who love the same food that we do. Therefore, they invite themselves into our spaces in search for something to eat. They will enter our homes through even the smallest passages in order to scavenge food, and sugary foods in particular. Homeowners who do not regularly mop up food spillages and messes will likely fall victim to an ant infestation, so it is important to clean regularly to avoid further invasions.

The easiest way to know whether you have an ant problem is simply by following the ants trail. You may also wish to take a walk around the perimeter of your home, checking the gardens and entrances for traces of a colony. If you find a colony of ants in your garden, you are going to have a problem. Ants are determined pursuers and are willing to travel long distances in the search for food. So, the distance from your back garden to your kitchen won’t be much of a challenge.  It is also worth noting that if ants are present, they will likely sniff out any un-covered food, such as left overs and dog dishes. You should regularly check pet food bowls for signs of ants.

Yes, commonly ants will leave their outside nests and enter our homes during the mid to late summer period, when the weather starts to cool. The species of ant determines the nesting process and site, along with the best method of management. It is always advised to contact a professional exterminator before taking matters in to your own hands, as more often than not improper removal methods will create an aggressive rebuilding of the ant colony, resulting in a larger infestation.

Depending on the species of ant will have an impact on the threat to us humans. The two most common species of ant we will encounter in our office or home will likely be either pavement ants or carpenter ants. Pavement ants are generally harmless and more of an annoyance rather than a threat. Carpenter ants are not only a nuisance but will cause physical damage to the structure of our properties. They usually feed off of moist or mouldy woods, both indoor and outdoors. Their intentions are to chew through the wood in order to create tiny tunnels for their colony to inhabit. This will obviously cause a weakening in the buildings structure, potentially posing a real threat to our wellbeing.

Carpenter ants are black in colour and vary between a quarter of an inch to, in some cases, three quarters of an inch long.  These ants are usually nocturnal and can be found travelling in long trails along fences, walls, trees and any linear pathway. Usually, Carpenter ants will make their nests in places such as the hollow trunks and branches of trees, although indoors they may be found in cardboard boxes or burrowing within the building’s walls and ceilings.  

The commonly dubbed ‘Pavement Ant’, or Tetramorium Caespitum, is an ant native to Europe. It gets its nickname from the fact that these insects usually make their home under pavements and rocks. The pavement ant is an introduced species and is the most commonly encountered, house-infesting species of ant. Their colour varies between dark brown to black and their behaviour is usually controlled and managed through the use of various food baits.

By regularly mopping up food spillages and cleaning work surfaces, you will minimize the recurrence of an ant infestation. Pay special attention to cleaning those hard to reach areas where food debris may collect, such as underneath fridges and cupboards. Do not leave left overs out and uncovered, or open packets of food within cupboards. Instead, opt for the use of food containers with an air tight seal to prevent insect invasions. To avoid a Carpenter ant infestation, you should be sure to insist all doors, windows and vents are tightly sealed, for if these insects find a crack in the building’s exterior they will use this as a passage for their colony to gain entry. Maintain proper plumbing maintenance as leaks and floods result in the moist, damp environments Carpenter ants love.