How To Get Rid Of Ants On A Carpet
Have you ever taken the time to admire your intricately patterned carpet only to realize that the shapes are moving? After looking closer you realize this is not an optical illusion, but a very real problem: Ants. If you notice ants on your carpet, you will want to find a way to get rid of them as soon as possible, before the issue becomes an infestation.
If you notice ants on your carpet, you should address the issue immediately to avoid an infestation. You can try to use insecticide powder or a more natural product like borax or diatomaceous earth to get rid of ants. Use a vacuum to suck up all ants and the powder. Do a deep clean, and use ant baits to catch any lingering ants.
Ants in the home are no joke. So, when you notice them crawling all over your carpet, you should do your best to get rid of them right away. Before you find the best solution, however, you should also discover the cause for the ants. After all, you want to get rid of the ants for good, and the best way to do that is by finding out how they got on your rug to begin with
Reasons You Find Ants On Carpet
As you prepare to embark on a mission to eliminate the ants from your carpet, it is a good idea to understand how they got there. The cause of this new ant problem might also affect how you should work to remove them.
After all, if you have ants in the home because you spilled a sugary drink on the carpet, that’s one thing. If, on the other hand, there is an ant colony in the floorboards underneath the carpet, you may need a different solution altogether. Below are some of the most common reasons you find ants on a carpet.
Food Particles Left On Floor
The most common reason you find ants on a carpet is because they found a food source. Small food particles, including tiny crumbs and dried-up sugary drinks are all magnets for ants.
Ants, by nature, are scavengers, and are excellent at seeking out and locating scraps of food. If you recently had a party, have small children who track food everywhere, or are not diligent about cleaning up messes, then you may find yourself with ants on your carpet.
Excess Moisture On And Near Carpet
In addition to food, ants like damp areas. So, if you already have ants in the home, they might be attracted to your carpet if it is on the damp side. If you have cement floors that get your carpet wet when weather changes, you should take measures to make sure your carpet does not get wet.
Crack In Floorboards
Cracks in the floorboards are ways ants can get into your home. They are even places where ants can call home, at least temporarily. If you have large unplugged cracks between floorboards under your carpet, you might notice ants present on the carpet as well.
Open Air Entryways Or Poorly Screened Windows
You might also notice ants on your carpet if it is near a poorly screened entry door or window. If your home is in a more tropical or warm location with open air entries, ants might easily find their way in the home. If your carpet is welcoming or nearby one of these entrances, the odds of ants on the carpet increases.
Ant Infestation Caused By Rotting Floorboards
There is also a chance that ants on your carpet is the sign of a much larger infestation. If you notice ants not only on the carpet, but elsewhere, and in large numbers, investigate further. Ant infestations will need lots of attention, and possibly help from a professional.
Six Ways To Get Rid Of Ants On Your Carpet
1. Sanitize And Deep Clean Your Home
One of the best ways to get ants off your carpet is through a deep clean. Ants like dirt and food particles. Once you eliminate these “treats” and create a sterile environment, the odds are the ants will move on.
You may want to rent or borrow a carpet cleaner seasonally to ensure your carpets are clean and sanitized. Wipe the surfaces in the room as well. Allow ample time to dry.
2. Use Insecticide
One effective way to kill the existing ants in your home is to use a powder insecticide on the carpet. The powder will work its way into the fibers of the carpet, effectively killing all the ants, even the ones that are difficult to see.
One important thing to remember is that you don’t want to over-saturate your rug with insecticide. For one, it is a poison and toxic, so you don’t want to apply more than needed in your home.
Also, if you add too much, it might just turn away the ants rather than kill them. This means the ants might find a different temporary home until it is safe to return. It is best to apply a light dusting, which will work to stealthily kill the ants.
3. Try Diatomaceous Earth Or Other More Natural Pest Killers
If you have small children, pets, or like taking a more natural approach to pest problems, insecticide is likely the last thing you want to use. Lucky for you, there are more natural ways to address your ant issue. Diatomaceous earth is a very popular option for those looking for a less toxic method to kill ants.
Diatomaceous earth is not toxic to humans, but it works to slice up and destroy small insects such as ants. You simply sprinkle it on the rug just as you would an insecticide dust.
In addition to diatomaceous earth, there are all sorts of other natural insect killers out there. Some use borax, and others use boric acid. Just opt for the best natural killer that will do the least amount of damage to you and your loved ones, but still get rid of ants.
4. Use A Reliable Vacuum
If you have never seen ants on your carpet before, and don’t notice too many, you might just want to reach for your vacuum. You can use a reliable vacuum to suck up all the pesky ants from your carpet.
As you use your vacuum, make sure you go slowly and cover every inch of the carpet as you vacuum. Use the hose tools in hard-to-reach areas, and don’t be afraid to go over the same area twice, especially on thicker carpet.
5. Try Ant Baits
If you are worried that you aren’t getting rid of all the ants on your carpet, you might want to try ant baits. Any baits are effective traps that help lure ants from nearby. They poison the ants, and can even help bring that poison back to their colony.
If you are not sure about the source of the ant issue, and notice ants on the carpet but also elsewhere, baits are a good option. Make sure you place baits near the carpet, and also in any other areas where you have noticed ants recently.
6. Hire A Pest Control Expert
If you notice ants on your carpet, and all over your home, you might need extra help. If you have tried every way you can think of, but are still noticing ants on your carpet and elsewhere, it is probably time for you to seek professional help.
While a pest control expert costs money, delaying the process will most likely only make the issue worse. It will also most likely make the issue more expensive as well.
Getting Rid Of Ants On Your Carpet Long Term
It might not be that hard to get ants off your carpet, but keeping them off for good is another story. The best way to keep your home and carpets free of ants for the long term is diligently using several of these methods.
For one, regular deep cleaning and vacuuming go a long way to preventing ants from making your house their home. You might also want to consider keeping ant baits in the home at all times. They act as a preventative, and can help curb any potential ant issue in the future.
Most of all, keeping your carpets free of moisture and food particles is the best way to prevent ants from ever returning to your carpets.
Wrapping Up How To Get Ants Off The Carpet
If you notice ants on your carpet, you should try whatever method you think is best to remove them right away. Keeping your carpet vacuumed and clean is a great way to get rid of, and prevent, ants from making your carpet a feeding ground. Powder insecticide can be lightly dusted on the carpet to kill the ants.
You can also try a more natural approach using diatomaceous earth or borax. Any baits are also effective at getting rid of ants, especially if you aren’t sure exactly where they are coming from.
If you notice the ants on your carpet are part of a larger infestation and struggle to get rid of them, you might want to consult a pest control expert.
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Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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