While having an army of ants in the kitchen may not sound as bad as an infestation of cockroaches or rats, it's still not something most people want to contend with. Here's what you need to know about getting rid of your ant problem.

Identify The Ant

Knowing what kind of ant you are dealing with will make it easier to determine the best way to go about eradicating it. There are a dozen or more different species of ants that are commonly found in homes, and some are more common in certain areas of the country. For example, fire ants are common in the southern United States as they require a warm climate. Some ants are named for their specific habitat preference, such as moisture ants, which love nesting in wet places.

Use your cellphone to take a picture of one of the ants and then use the internet to help you determine what kind of ant it is and how to best get rid of them. You can also contact your local county or university extension office. They will likely be able to provide you more detailed information on the type of any you have an issue with and recommend ways to combat them.

Find Their Nest

Once you have identified the type of ant species you are dealing with, you will have an easier time finding their nest. For example, a carpenter ant nest is not easy to find, but looking for wet and rotted wooded areas, such as a window, is a good place to start.

You can also just sit and observe the ants for an hour and watch where they go and what they do. They are actually quite fascinating to watch, and most people don't get as squeamish about ants as other critters. Nonetheless, they still can't be allowed to simply move in and set up shop in your home as they can cause damage, carry germs, or bite and sting. Once you have located their nest, you will know where to set poison out. If their nest is outdoors, you will also want to use an outdoor insecticide.

Place Poison Along Their Trails

After you have determined where they go and what they do, set the poison out along the trails you have seen them use. They will bring the poisoned "food" back to their nest.

If identifying and observing ants isn't your "thing" or something you have time for, especially if the ants are venomous, it's easier to just hire an ant control service to come take care of the situation for you.