As a pest control company in Buffalo, New York, we’d dive deeper into specific, actionable steps to mitigate ant infestations, fine-tuned for our local environment and the types of ants we see around here—like Argentine, pavement, and carpenter ants. Here’s the nitty-gritty:
Entry Point Precision: Ants exploit the smallest openings, so get meticulous. Inspect your home’s exterior with a flashlight—focus on where the foundation meets the siding, especially on south-facing walls that warm up faster in spring. In Buffalo’s older neighborhoods like Allentown or Elmwood Village, check brickwork for crumbling mortar; it’s a sneaky ant highway. Use silicone caulk (not latex—it weathers better in our snowy winters) to seal cracks, and install door sweeps with a tight rubber seal. For pavement ants, common near driveways, pour a thin line of outdoor-grade sealant along sidewalk edges abutting your house.
Food Defense Tactics: Ants here are pros at finding calories. In the kitchen, transfer pantry staples—flour, sugar, even pasta—into hard plastic or glass containers with snap-tight lids; Ziploc bags won’t cut it against determined Argentine ants. After cooking (say, a batch of wings for game day), scrub cutting boards and counters with a 1:1 vinegar-water mix—it disrupts scent trails. Empty trash daily, and use a can with a pedal-operated lid; ants will climb a pole for chicken wing scraps. For pet owners, set bowls in a shallow dish of soapy water—ants can’t swim across that moat.
Moisture Elimination: Buffalo’s dampness fuels ants, especially carpenter ones that chew through wet wood. In basements, aim for humidity below 50%—get a $20 hygrometer from a hardware store on Hertel Avenue to check. Run a dehumidifier with a drain hose (no emptying in our rainy springs), and point a fan at wet spots after heavy snowmelt. Fix dripping faucets with new washers—plumbing’s cheap compared to an ant takeover. Outside, redirect downspouts at least 3 feet from the foundation; pavement ants love soggy soil under a splash block.
Yard Patrol: Argentine ants, super aggressive around here, team up in massive colonies. Rake mulch 6 inches back from your house—use cedar chips if you can; ants hate the smell. Prune trees so no branches touch your roof—carpenter ants will drop right onto shingles. If you spot aphids on your roses or maple trees, blast them off with a hose or use insecticidal soap from a local shop like Urban Roots. Firewood? Stack it 20 feet from the house on a rack, not the ground—ants nest in soggy logs during Buffalo’s wet falls.
Trail and Colony Counterattacks: Spot a line of ants? Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap, 1 tablespoon baking soda, and a quart of water—spray it on the trail to kill and confuse them. For bait, use Terro liquid ant stakes and place them near entry points but out of reach of kids or pets. Argentine ants go nuts for the sweet borax mix and haul it back to their queen. Carpenter ants? Drill 1/8-inch holes into suspect damp wood (behind baseboards or under sinks) and puff boric acid powder in with a bulb duster—wear a mask, it’s dusty work. Check back in a week; if they’re still marching, the nest’s outside, likely in a stump or under that old patio in the backyard.
Buffalo-Specific Timing: Hit them hard in March—ants wake up early here as snow melts. By July, humidity peaks, so double-check basements. Late October’s your last shot before they hunker down inside for winter. If you’re in a spot like West Side near the river, watch for flooding—ants relocate fast when water rises.
If they keep coming—like, you’re seeing dozens daily despite all this—call us. We’ll scope out the colony with thermal cameras (carpenter ants love warm walls) and hit them with pro-grade gels or dusts you can’t get at Home Depot. Buffalo ants don’t play, but we’ve got their number.
