June
20
2011
Posted: Jun 20, 2011 6:14 PM EDT Updated: Jun 21, 2011 4:20 AM EDT
By Colleen Wells - email
Posted by Desmond Strooh - email
TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - An unusually wet spring has led to ant problems in much of Northwest Ohio. Pest control companies report a high volume of ant calls, up significantly from the year before.
"They seem to more noticeable. I wouldn't say there are more ants in general, we're just seeing more, based on the weather being more conducive. And its displaced a lot of the colonies," said Steve Smith, with Rose Pest Solutions.
Smith said the ants do not like wet weather and seek shelter through the tiniest of cracks and crevices.
"We've had a lot of heavy rain in April and May, and that's displaced the colonies from outside," said Smith. "They move indoors to get away from the moisture- they typically are attracted to areas in our house that have a moisture problem already."
Smith said calls for carpenter ants have been particularly high this year.
To prevent an ant infestation, Smith recommends:
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Keep entryways dry and sealed
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Keep baseboards and counter tops clean
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Keep trees around home trimmed, avoid limbs over the house
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Treat the perimeter of the home with an insecticide
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