The Plant Mistake That's Secretly Attracting Ants Into Your Home

You have probably encountered the problem at one time or another — a parade of ants making their way through your home. They can create quite a mess and cause a headache as you figure out where they're coming from. Ants are generally in search of shelter and warmth, as well as food and water, so your home is an appealing environment. While there are several preventative measures to take, there is one way to get rid of ants you may not have considered: the plants outside your home. Keeping your landscape maintained is key to pest control.

When your trees, shrubs, and vines grow too close to your home, they can give pests such as ants easy access to your home.  A good rule of thumb is to make sure plants are cleared at least 18 inches around the foundation of your house. This will increase the space between the dangling plant limbs and your property, which limits pests' ability to climb on your home's siding and slip through any cracks. Just make sure you are following best practices when pruning your plants.

Ants are attracted to trees because they provide shelter and food. Therefore, it's important to strategically prune them every three to five years to increase the distance from the trees to your house. Ants will use limbs as "bridges" to gain entry to your home, so you will want to focus on pruning any overhanging limbs and branches that touch your property. One method is to "V" cut shrubs and trees, which is the practice of pruning branches wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. This will limit ants' ability to climb onto your roof. And if you're in the beginning phases of planning your landscape, it is best not to plant trees too close to your home for this very reason. For example, an average-sized tree should be planted about 15 feet away from your house. 

And don't forget your gutters! Gutters should regularly be cleared of debris because they can become an attractive home for pests. Gutters provide a source of water for ants, and the insects use debris such as leaves and twigs as a source of food. Arborists recommend cleaning them out twice a year, typically in the fall and spring.

Keeping your grass neatly trimmed is important too. Pests such as ants prefer the cover and protection overgrown grass provides. The ideal mowing height recommended is about 2 inches. Be conservative when applying mulch. It holds onto moisture, creating hospitable conditions for pests to multiply. Ensure there is at least 6 inches of space between any mulch and your house's foundation to keep ants and other unwanted insects away.

Other important measures you can take to avoid ants include sealing any exterior cracks outside your home and keeping recycling, storage, and compost bins at a distance from your house. Also, if you have fruit trees, regularly pick up any fallen fruit because ants are attracted to the sugar. A little extra care in your yard can go a long way when it comes to keeping ants out of your home.