No matter how hard-working ants are, no one wants them as co-workers in the office! Ants may look tiny and harmless, but these common pests can wreak havoc in your space.
In addition to the general nuisance caused by trails of ants crawling all over your belongings, ants are also responsible for painful bites and food contamination. Unfortunately, your home is not the only place ants can invade.
You need to pay heed to ant management in commercial settings too. Wondering how? Let’s find out! In this article, we have outlined some easy ways to keep ants away from your workplace.
What Attracts Ants in a Commercial Setting?
Having ants crawling around the office can be quite disturbing. In addition, it can cause damage to the building and even hamper the company’s professional image.
Before you learn how to deal with an ant infestation, you must first understand what may be attracting these tiny pests into your workplace. Well, ants are always in search of shelter and food sources.
So, just like how ants keep invading your house, if your office has adequate hiding spots and access to lots of food, ants will find a comfortable home in your office. Ant colonies are made up of queens, workers, and males, each with a specific role to play.
When food runs low in the colony, or their shelter has been compromised, scouting ants look for a new habitat to eat and live comfortably. Office pantries are often a preferred location for these insects. However, they also like to hide in other damp, warm spots in the office.
Identify the Type of Ants You Are Dealing With
Now that you know why there are ants in your office, you need to identify the type of ants invading your commercial space. This will help you gauge the severity of the problem and devise an ant control plan.
The four most common ant species in Singapore are Ghost ants, Pharaoh ants, Carpenter ants, and Crazy ants. The best way to identify them is by observing the ants well and distinguishing them based on appearance.
If your office has severe ant problems, locating them will not be too difficult. You will find evident ant trails leading to food crumbs, water leaks, rotten furniture, etc. If the ants in your workplace are coy, look for them in food areas like the pantry and rubbish bins.
You might find heaps of dirt near potential nest sites. What’s more, ants commonly hide near rotten desks, beams, or flooring. Simply identify the species based on its appearance, and draw up a pest control plan accordingly.
Ant Management in the Office
Having ants in the office is a rather unpleasant experience. It does not only hamper the company’s image but also affects productivity. Therefore, appropriate measures must be taken as soon as an ant problem is identified. You can start by using ant sprays and traps.
Using sprays and traps will reduce the ant traffic. However, your ant problem will not disappear unless you solve the problem at its root – the nest. Yes, no matter how many wandering ants you kill, they will keep coming back until you tackle the entire colony hiding in their nest.
Thankfully, tracking ant nests is relatively easy. All you have to do is observe stray ants and watch where they go back. Ant trails will always take you back to their nests. Sometimes, ant nests are in tight spaces, like within the walls. They love dark, moist areas, so pay special attention to these.
Use Ant Baits
When it comes to ant management, ant baits are your best bet. These baits are slow-acting pesticides that take the form of sweet treats. The sweet scent of these baits can attract scout ants. Not only do the scout ants eat these treats, but they also carry them back to their nest.
This way, ant baits can help solve your ant problem. You will find a variety of ant baits in the market. Select one based on your situation. In some cases, it may be challenging to treat an ant infestation with baits. This is when you need to consider hiring pest control experts.
Store Food Properly
As you know, food is the main reason ants invade your home. If you keep your tasty lunch and snack lying around callously, it will serve as an open invitation to ants. Don’t want to share your food with ants? Then store them away properly.
Bring your food in sealed containers or plastic wrappers, and encourage all your office mates to do the same. Do not leave any snacks unattended. Instead, store the leftovers in the refrigerator or cupboard. Be sure to follow the storage instructions as mentioned in the food packages.
Clean Spills and Crumbs Immediately
Spilling some drinks or dropping food crumbs when eating and drinking during breaks is common. Do not dismiss this as just a small mishap. Food messes need to be cleaned as soon as they happen, or you will have ants raiding your office.
Food crumbs and drink spills are enough to provide food for ants. What’s even worse, food messes signal to ants that there is a bigger source of food nearby. So, clean any crumbs and spills immediately.
Wipe All Surfaces
Even though general cleaning is often prioritised at home, we often forget to clean the surfaces in our workspace. That coffee stain on your desk or food crumbs you left during lunch can attract pests.
Simply wipe the surface well to remove any sugary scents. Ants have a strong sense of smell and can sense if any sugary food has been in contact with a surface. Cleaning with a disinfectant can help you avoid attracting them in this way.
Clean the Refrigerator at Work
The refrigerator at work is another common thing that attracts ants. If your office refrigerator is filled with expired food or smells weird, it is time for a clear-out.
In addition to cleaning and clearing the fridge regularly, you should also check that it is running at the right temperature. Throw away any leftovers, expired food, or food that has been in the fridge for over a week.
Then, use soap and hot water to clean any spills. Finally, encourage your colleagues to clean the office refrigerator as part of monthly cleaning and shared responsibility.
Hire a Pest Control Company
Finally, if your efforts fail to eliminate ants completely, you need to hire professional pest control. Even though home remedies are effective sometimes, you should not rely on them in a commercial setting. Home remedies do not always work. Moreover, random pesticides can cause the ants to panic and spread more nests throughout the office. Avoid all the hassle by simply hiring ant control experts.
Conclusion
Managing ant infestations in commercial settings is essential to maintain a clean, hygienic, and pest-free environment. By implementing effective strategies and best practices, businesses can minimise the risk of ant problems and ensure the satisfaction of customers and employees.
Remember, effective ant management requires a proactive and consistent approach. Regular inspections, continuous monitoring, and prompt action in response to any signs of ant activity are crucial to prevent infestations from escalating. By implementing these strategies and following the best practices outlined in this blog, businesses can create a conducive environment that is free from ant-related issues.
