If you drop some sugar on the floor, there will be a line of ants in five minutes. If you forget to close a dish in the kitchen, there will be ants there too. Sometimes they come and bite you, and it hurts a lot. This ant problem is really a very common problem in our homes, isn't it? Almost every home has this problem. So today, let's talk about how to get rid of these annoying ants safely and without harming your health.
Who are ants? Are they really bad?
Ants are a very important animal group in the insect world. Scientifically speaking, they belong to the order `(Hymenoptera)`. Ants provide a greater service to the environment than you might think.
- Aerates the soil: When they burrow underground, the soil becomes better aerated.
- Controls other pests: Eats other annoying insects like termites and fleas.
- Cleans the environment: They help clean the environment by eating dead animals and rotten things.
- Food for other animals: Ants are good food for animals like birds.
So you see, ants are an essential part of the ecosystem. But it's these good-for-nothing ants that become a big problem when they get into our homes. That's when we need to control them.
What are the common types of ants that come into our homes?
Although there are over 12,000 species of ants in the world, only a few species come into our homes. Identifying these species of ants is a great help in controlling them. Let's take a look at the types of ants that are commonly seen in our homes.
| Ant Type | Appearance and behavior | What to pay attention to |
|---|---|---|
| Black Ants / House Ants | Small, black. You can usually see them waiting in line. They really like sweet foods, sugar, and rice grains. | It doesn't do much harm, but it's a nuisance to get into food. It's unlikely to spread disease. |
| Fire Ants | Red or brown in color. A little spicy. When you eat them, you feel a burning sensation, as if there was fire. | The poison is strong. It can cause blisters and swelling if eaten. Some people may have severe allergic reactions. |
| Carpenter Ants | Relatively large, black in color, it damages things like doors, windows, and roof wood. | They damage wooden furniture and wooden structures in the home. You can see piles of wood dust in their habitats. |
| Winged Ants / Swarmers | The normal ants look like they have wings. These are the ants that are about to build a new nest. | If you see them inside your home, it means there is a large anthill somewhere inside or nearby. |
Why do these ants come to our houses?
Ants also need some basic things to survive. That is, food, water, and a safe place. Our homes are places where they can easily find all three.
- Looking for food: Even a small piece of food that falls on the kitchen floor, a sugar cube, or a dish that you forgot to close, is a big party for ants.
- Finding water: A drop of water near the sink, moisture in the bathroom, or a leaking tap are enough for them.
- Weather changes: When their burrows are damaged by things like heavy rain or drought outside, they come inside houses to find a safe place.
- Finding a new place: Imagine that you are building a new house near your house. When you dig the ground there, the anthills are broken and the ants have to find a new place. Then they easily come inside our houses.
What should we do to get rid of the ant problem?
Before we resort to using ant killers, there are many simple, safe things we can do. We call this ``Integrated Pest Management (IPM)``. That means using step-by-step, environmentally friendly methods.
1. First things first: No pesticides!
- Seal off entryways: Even small cracks in walls or gaps around windows are a good way for ants to get into your home. Look for these areas and seal them with something like silicone (`caulk`).
- Keep it clean: After eating, wipe down the table and kitchen thoroughly. If food falls on the floor, clean it up immediately.
- Store food safely: Store items like sugar, flour, and biscuits in airtight, tightly sealed tins or bottles.
- Fix water leaks: Fix leaking taps and pipes immediately. Keep the sink and bathroom dry.
- Clear ant trails: If you see a line of ants walking, clean the trail thoroughly with soapy water. Ants travel along a trail of chemical scents that they leave behind. Once that trail is cleared, the 'signal' for other ants to follow is gone.
- Trash can: Take out the trash daily. Wash the trash can regularly and keep it clean.
2. If you use pesticides...
Sometimes, even after doing the above, it can be difficult to control ants. In such cases, you may have to use insecticides. But you need to do it very carefully.
- Use bait: The best and safest way to kill ants is to use bait traps. These are small plastic traps. Inside is a poison mixed with food for ants. The worker ants take this food and go back to the nest to feed the queen and the others. In a few days, the entire nest will be destroyed. You can find baits that contain things like `(Boric acid)`, `(Fipronil)`, `(Hydramethylnon)`.
- Diatomaceous earth: This is a natural product. It is made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms. This powder damages the outer covering of ants, dehydrating them and killing them. It can be used indoors and outdoors.
- Be careful with sprays and foggers: These only kill visible ants, not the nest. Also, the chemicals in these are harmful to our lungs and can be accidentally inhaled.
Very important: When using insecticides , always keep them away from small children and pets . Read the instructions on the packet carefully. Never use them near food preparation areas or dishes. If someone accidentally ingests such an insecticide, immediately call the National Poisons Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. Also, go to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.
What do you do if you get a severe allergic reaction after eating an ant?
When you bite a normal ant, you feel a slight sting and itch. But if you bite a tough ant like a termite, the pain is severe.
- In case of a simple poisoning: Wash the area where the ant bit you with soap and water. Apply an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling.
- In case of a severe allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis): This is a medical emergency. Some people can be allergic to ant venom. Look for these symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing, feeling like your chest is constricting
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Dizziness , fainting
- Spreading like a rash all over the body
If you have any of these severe symptoms, do not waste time and go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. This is a life-threatening emergency. Also, if you have eaten a lot of ants or the pain and swelling do not subside after a few days, it is best to see your doctor for advice.
Take-Home Message
- The best way to get rid of ants is to keep your home and surroundings clean. Remove any food scraps that fall on the floor immediately.
- Seal any gaps in walls and windows where ants can enter the house.
- Before using insecticides, try safer methods like bait. These will help destroy the entire ant colony.
- When using any insecticide, keep it safe and away from small children and pets.
- If you develop severe allergic symptoms such as difficulty breathing and facial swelling after being bitten by an animal such as a wasp, go to a hospital's emergency room (ETU) immediately.
- If you can't control your ant infestation or if the bites are causing problems, consult your doctor for advice.
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