LESLIE: Suzanne from South Dakota is on the line who’s got some unwanted visitors in the house. What have you got going on over there? An ant infestation?
SUZANNE: Well, we’re not sure where. We don’t see what they’re doing but–and this isn’t the first time. But it seems like in the spring and early summer we get quite a few in the house. And we were just needing to try to get rid of them somehow.
TOM: Here’s the bottom-line answer, Suzanne. If you’ re having a significant ant infestation, there are always things that you can do that are low-toxic and sort of natural remedies, like putting Borax around and baking soda and things like that. But truth be told, if you really want to get rid of these insects kind of once and for all–if you want to doit once, do it right–you do need the help of a professional exterminator that’s licensed and has access to the proper products. Today, the products that are put down to control an ant infestation are very well engineered and very heavily tested and monitored. It takes a company an extraordinary amount of time and expense to get their products approved. And when they come in and apply these products, they’re designed not to kill everything in sight but just to basically help you eliminate the insect that you’re trying to avoid which, in this case, are your ants. So, if it’s a significant population of ants, you’re seeing them frequently, don’t tolerate it. It’s going to be a nuisance to you, even if you kind of–in fits and spurts was able to manage them with some over-the-counter products. If they’re just going to be a constant presence, I would hire a pro to exterminate them. I would tell you to go to HomeAdvisor.com and use that website to find exterminators in your area that are highly reviewed by your neighbors, because that’s how that works. And then select one and have the house treated. OK?
SUZANNE: I see. OK. Thank you very much.
TOM: You’re welcome, Suzanne. Good luck with that project. Thanks so much for calling us at 888- MONEY-PIT.
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