Use granular outdoor ant bait around the foundation where the house touches the ground to stop ants before they get inside.

Start by selecting an appropriate granular product labeled for perimeter ant control and follow the label for application rates. Inspect the exterior for ant trails, soil cracks, weep holes and areas where landscaping or mulch contacts siding; ants exploit those gaps so focus granules there. Apply a continuous band of granules three to six inches wide directly along the point where the foundation meets soil and extend treatment to entry points such as door thresholds and utility penetrations. Lightly water the treated band with a slow gentle spray so the granules dissolve and release attractants and active ingredients without creating runoff that moves the material away. Reapply after heavy rain or irrigation and check monthly during warm months when ants are most active to maintain an effective barrier. Store unused product in a cool dry place away from children and pets and always wear gloves to avoid direct skin contact during application.

Common mistakes include putting granules directly into mulch beds touching siding which creates a bridge for ants rather than a barrier so move mulch back an inch or two and place granules on bare soil at the foundation edge. Another issue is overwatering the granule band which washes the product away and reduces effectiveness so apply only enough water to activate but not cause runoff and reapply after significant rain. A third frequent problem is treating isolated spots while ignoring the full perimeter so form an unbroken treated band around the entire structure to prevent ants from simply walking around the treated area.

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