Got Ants? How To Keep California's No. 1 Pest Outside Without Pesticides

Information courtesy of Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association:

Got ants? You’re not alone. State data show that ants are the most common household pest problem in California.

Ants are also the home pest that Bay Area residents are most likely to attack with pesticide sprays—and these chemicals end up in our local waterways. Recent scientific studies show that broadcast spraying of pesticides around the perimeter of buildings is the primary cause of the widespread toxicity found in California’s suburban and urban creeks.

Rain and overwatering carry pesticide residues from hard surfaces around buildings into gutters and storm drains. Pesticides can be toxic to people, children and pets, and even average usage can severely pollute local creeks and the Bay.

But ants can be stopped without using toxic pesticides.

The Bay Area Stormwater Management Agency Association (BASMAA) is working to provide local residents with environmentally sound ways to keep ants away through less toxic and more effective ant control solutions.

Switching from toxic pesticides to less-toxic strategies is one of the most effective ways to protect the environment. It also makes ants less likely to re-invade, since ant-friendly conditions are eliminated.

“We want people to know that there are safe, alternative products and practices available to prevent and eliminate ants while protecting their homes and environment,” said BASMAA executive director Geoff Brosseau. “Using toxic pesticides around the perimeter of your home is not necessary and can often be ineffective.”

BASMAA’s website, baywise.org, has tips for effectively dealing with ants and other pests. BASMAA also sponsors Our Water Our World, a program in more than 100 Bay Area stores that steers customers to less-toxic products.

The best approach to ant management is to try to keep them outdoors.

Here are a few key tips that will help prevent ants from invading indoors:

• Store food in containers that seal tightly or in the refrigerator when you notice ant activity.
• Keep countertops and floors clean and dry and fix leaking faucets and pipes (ants need food and water).
• Identify and caulk cracks where ants are entering the house. Weather-strip doors and windows.
• Put pet dishes in a soapy moat. Partially fill a wide, shallow container with soapy water and place pet dishes in the water.

Brosseau points out that ant baits are particularly useful because they are combination of food and insecticide—ant baits work as ants carry the bait back to their colony and other ants, limiting exposure to people, pets and the environment.

For more information visit baywise.org.

The Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association is a consortium of stormwater programs throughout the region.