Housekeeping
Helps you bring more business to your hotel

QUICK TIPS

Ants reproduce and expand into new colonies at a rapid rate. Be proactive in preventing ant infestations by following these useful tips.

How to prevent ants

Be aware of those items and conditions that could attract ants and support ant colonies.

• Outdoors
• Clean and sanitize areas around dumpsters, garbage areas, and outdoor eating areas.
• Repair leaks on outside faucets and minimize areas that may collect standing water (parking lot, landscaping).
• When possible, remove exterior harborage such as clutter, loose boards and tree stumps.
• Trim or remove foliage in contact with building structure and maintain landscaping.
• Indoors
• Eliminate water leaks in kitchens and restrooms and repair any poor drainage.
• Store food properly and encourage employees to remove any unnecessary food stored in personal lockers or desks.
• Maintain a clean and sanitized interior.

How to remove ants

Contact a pest control company like Ecolab&v=cb">Ecolab Pest Elimination to perform a full inspection and determine the best methods to resolve the ant issue. The expert can:

• Determine the ant species and where they are nesting.
• Provide sanitation and structural recommendations to reduce ant pressure on your facility.
• If necessary, provide treatment options to eliminate the ants on the outside and inside, including baiting and perimeter treatments.
• Provide sanitation and structural recommendations to prevent future ant infestations.

Ant Effects

It’s common to be outdoors and notice a trail of ants. We tend to walk around them or ignore them completely. But then you begin to notice one or two ants inside the kitchen. Should you be worried? If you see one, will there be more? The answer is yes. In fact, there could be thousands.

The Problem

Ants cause millions of dollars of damage every year to food service structures and property. They also have the potential to bite, sting and contaminate food. Ants can be exposed to unsanitary conditions in garbage or trash areas and have the potential to cross-contaminate other areas. Ants pose a nuisance to your establishment and guests often associate ant sightings with poor sanitation.

Ants can be found nearly anywhere. Some species of ants nest indoors, other species nest outdoors, and still others can nest both indoors and outdoors. Indoor nesting ants often nest underneath carpet edges and along baseboards and walls. Outdoor nesting ants can nest underground, beneath rocks, wood piles and trees. All types of ants invade the building in search of food, water and shelter in order to survive.

The Solution

You can help prevent ants from entering your facility by maintaining proper sanitation, preventing water leaks, sealing entry points, and maintaining your exterior vegetation. If you suspect an ant infestation, call your pest control company or Ecolab Pest Elimination to conduct a full inspection. A pest control expert will determine where the nest is located, which type of ant is infesting your property and the best solution to eliminate the problem.

Taking a proactive approach is the best way to prevent ants. Ants are a serious pest issue; eliminate the problem before it spreads. For more information about ant sightings and your options, contact your Ecolab representative about our Ground Force Ant program with outside-in protection