How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Office

Have you noticed ants in your office? If so, you are probably wondering how to get rid of them quickly. While we might not think of ants as a dangerous pest, they are certainly annoying. They can contaminate any food you may have in the office. They can also cause a lot of damage. Ants are notorious for doing things like chewing through electrical wires and causing structural damage. So, getting rid of them should be a priority.

Access Points

The first thing you need to do is assess how the ants are getting in the building. Sometimes, this is easy to discover. You might even be able to follow a trail of ants out of the building to their original location. However, other times it can be more difficult. Ants are tiny, which means they can get inside through almost imperceptible cracks. They can also use vents and pipes to get inside a building.

You want to check out the exterior of the office building. Seal any cracks you find with caulk. Repair any holes or rips in screens. Check the weatherstripping on doors and windows and make sure that it is working properly.

However, it can be difficult, if not impossible to completely seal your office or workplace. Many workplaces have a constant flow of traffic in and out of the building. You may also have warehouse bays and open doors for products and goods. In those instances, ants are going to have access to the building, even if you seal the rest of your exterior.

Cleaning

That is why it is important to clean your office building and remove things that might attract ants. We suggest starting with your kitchen or breakroom area. Most offices have a kitchen or other area where employees can heat up food and eat their meals. Any place where food is prepared and consumed probably has residual food waste, even if your employees are meticulously clean. Making sure that these areas are thoroughly cleaned at the end of each day can help prevent ants.

You also want to check for water sources. Just like any other living thing, ants need a source of water. So, look for leaking faucets, damp areas near pipes, or even places with condensation. Any of these can provide water sources for tiny ants.

You also need to think outside the kitchen. While food prep may occur in the kitchen or breakroom, people may consume food in other places. If employees eat or drink at their desks or throughout the workplace, you need to make sure those areas are thoroughly cleaned as well. The same goes if you have any type of snack or drink station available for customers. The more widespread the potential area, the more you may want to consider hiring a professional cleaning service to make sure the office stays clean.

Whether you already have ants or are trying to prevent them, you should also look at employing a pest control service. At Flick, we offer a variety of pest control plans that can help keep your offices free from pests, including ants. Contact us today to get started.