Ants. They are the uninvited guests at every Utah picnic and, for many Salt Lake City homeowners, a persistent presence in the kitchen. When you see that single file line marching across your counter, it’s tempting to grab the first home remedy you find online. But what if those quick fixes are based more on fiction than fact?
Many common beliefs about ant control are just that—myths. These misconceptions can lead to a lot of wasted effort and allow a small ant issue to grow into a major infestation. Today, we are playing Mythbusters to reveal the truth behind these tiny invaders and what it really takes to show them the door.
Busting Common Ant Myths in Salt Lake City
It’s time to separate fact from fiction. Let’s dive into some of the most common ant myths we hear from homeowners across the Salt Lake City area and set the record straight.
Myth #1: Seeing a few ants is not a big deal.
The Reality: The ants you see are scout ants, the foragers for a much larger, hidden colony. Their job is to find food and water sources and then leave a pheromone trail for the rest of the colony to follow. Seeing even one or two scout ants is a warning sign that a full-blown invasion could be just around the corner if they find something they like.
Myth #2: DIY remedies like vinegar or cinnamon are a permanent solution.
The Reality: While substances with strong smells like vinegar, cinnamon, or chalk lines can disrupt an ant's pheromone trail, this is only a temporary fix. It might stop a particular line of ants for a short time, but it does nothing to eliminate the nest. The colony will simply send out new scouts to find a different route to the food source.
Myth #3: As long as my house is clean, I won’t get ants.
The Reality: A clean house is always a great defense, but it’s not a guarantee against ants. Ants are incredibly resourceful. While they are attracted to crumbs and spills, they also seek out water from a leaky pipe under the sink, find their way into sealed containers, or even nest in the undisturbed soil of a potted plant. A clean home helps, but it doesn't make you invisible to a determined colony.
Myth #4: You just need to kill the queen to destroy the colony.
The Reality: While the queen is vital, this myth is misleading for a couple of reasons. First, finding the queen is nearly impossible as she is hidden deep within the nest. Second, many ant species, including some common in Utah, have colonies with multiple queens. Killing one will not destroy a colony that has several others producing thousands of new ants.
Myth #5: Ants will just go away in the winter.
The Reality: Ants don't just disappear when the weather gets cold. Instead, they often move their colonies deeper underground or, even worse, inside the warm wall voids and foundations of your home to wait out the winter. An ant problem that seems to vanish in November can come back with a vengeance on the first warm day of spring.
When Do You Need a Professional?
Knowing the truth behind these myths is a great first step, but it also highlights why ants are such a persistent challenge. You can disrupt their trails and clean up crumbs, but if you are not addressing the source—the colony itself—the problem will almost certainly return.
You should consider calling a professional when you see recurring ant trails despite your cleaning efforts, when you can’t locate the nest, or when you are dealing with a large, established infestation. Professionals have the training to identify the specific ant species and the tools to eliminate the entire colony safely and effectively.
A professional approach goes beyond temporary fixes to provide a comprehensive, long-term solution. It's about breaking the life cycle of the colony and implementing preventative measures to keep them from coming back, ensuring your home stays pest-free.
About the Experts
At Pest Pro Pest Control, we're more than just pest control experts; we're your Salt Lake City neighbors. As a local, family-owned business since 2010, we've dedicated over a decade to protecting homes and families across Utah. Our team of experienced, licensed technicians believes in a customer-first approach, which is why we have over 1,300 five-star reviews from homeowners just like you. We combine our award-winning service with pet-friendly products to provide solutions that are not only effective but also give you complete peace of mind.
Ready to stop guessing and get a real, guaranteed solution for your ant problem? Reach out to Pest Pro Pest Control today to learn why we were voted Best of SLC.