DETROIT - Ants, spiders and other pests can be a nuisance in homes, especially during the warmer months.
Mark VanderWerp, manager of education and training at Rose Pest Solutions and an entomology graduate from Michigan State, shares expert advice on how to manage these common invaders.
Ants are active year-round but peak in summer, especially June through August.
"We see ants any time of the year. But June, July, August is like, bam, there's ants everywhere," he said. "It's warm, lots of food for them to find, lots of kitchens to invade."
Why do ants get into homes?
"It's a combination of things," VanderWerp says. "There is definitely a sanitation aspect -- cookie crumbs on the ground draw ants. They're out foraging for food, and they can eat a wide variety of things, including seeds, dead insects, and even sugary secretions from aphids on plants."
Many people try to spray ants on sight, but VanderWerp cautions against this approach.
"Lots of people love the thrill of the kill, but that's the worst way to manage ants. Ants are a superorganism with a queen laying eggs and workers doing the foraging," he said. "Killing workers doesn't solve the problem -- you have to get the queen."
The best method?
"Think baits, not sprays. Baits work much better because the workers take the bait back to the colony, sharing it until the colony collapses. It takes longer to see results, but it's more effective," he said.
There are different types of bait, including solid stations and gel baits with high moisture content, which work well in dry summer months.
"You want to track ant activity back to their nest and place bait there," VanderWerp said. "It doesn't take much -- just a couple grams can knock out a colony."
However, patience is essential. It can take between six to seven days.
Knowing the ant species is important for treatment. For example, the odorous house ant smells like blue cheese when crushed, a fun fact VanderWerp demonstrated.
"These ants can build huge colonies, sometimes the size of a city block," he said.
Spiders have also been more prevalent this year due to high humidity. VanderWerp recommends physically removing webs regularly and managing outdoor lighting, as insects attracted to lights also attract spiders.
If baits and traps don't work or infestations worsen, it may be time to call pest control professionals. VanderWerp notes that during COVID-19, bed bug problems worsened because treatments were delayed due to access restrictions.
For quick relief, sprays can kill visible ants but won't eliminate the colony.
"If you have a dinner party, maybe use a spray that day, then switch to baits after," he said.
Home remedies like bleach can disrupt ant pheromone trails and reduce activity, but aren't a complete solution.