Expanding into new territory: Yakima area neighbors invaded by ants
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WILEY CITY, Wash. -- Mary Roberts has lived in her Wiley City home for 37 years, but It's only recently she's sharing her home with unwelcome guests.
"There's one right there and there's one right there," said Roberts pointing to ants. "It's an everyday battle."
Mary has spotted the tiny ants in her bathroom, kitchen counters and even her pet's food.
She started putting food in sealable containers and she doesn't leave dishes in the sink. But ant sprays and home remedies haven't solved the problem completely.
"Especially if you go to pick-up a knife to use and you see an on crawling on it. It's frustrating. Go in the bathroom, pick up a brush and there's an ant on it," said Roberts.
Mary's neighbors told KIMA they're seeing the same thing. We took their concerns to local exterminators.
They blame our mild winter for allowing the ants to flourish. Pest control says the problem has been on the rise for the last several years.
We're also told this is the time of year ants are mating so they're looking for new territory.
If you can't afford an exterminator, pest experts tell us there are other things you can do; poisons that the ants take back to their nest work best.
One easy step you can take is simply maintaining your yard by cutting tall grass and low hanging trees, especially those near your home.
It’s clear there's not always an easy fix when dealing with these pests.
And it takes some persistence on your end as well, to get rid of the problem.
"It doesn't stop, it just doesn't stop," said Roberts.
Exterminators say there could also be hidden factors attracting ants that you don't see, like rotting wood.
"There's one right there and there's one right there," said Roberts pointing to ants. "It's an everyday battle."
Mary has spotted the tiny ants in her bathroom, kitchen counters and even her pet's food.
She started putting food in sealable containers and she doesn't leave dishes in the sink. But ant sprays and home remedies haven't solved the problem completely.
"Especially if you go to pick-up a knife to use and you see an on crawling on it. It's frustrating. Go in the bathroom, pick up a brush and there's an ant on it," said Roberts.
Mary's neighbors told KIMA they're seeing the same thing. We took their concerns to local exterminators.
They blame our mild winter for allowing the ants to flourish. Pest control says the problem has been on the rise for the last several years.
We're also told this is the time of year ants are mating so they're looking for new territory.
If you can't afford an exterminator, pest experts tell us there are other things you can do; poisons that the ants take back to their nest work best.
One easy step you can take is simply maintaining your yard by cutting tall grass and low hanging trees, especially those near your home.
It’s clear there's not always an easy fix when dealing with these pests.
And it takes some persistence on your end as well, to get rid of the problem.
"It doesn't stop, it just doesn't stop," said Roberts.
Exterminators say there could also be hidden factors attracting ants that you don't see, like rotting wood.
