Buffalo Grove homeowners are often all too familiar with the frustration: an army of ants marching along the kitchen countertop, headed somewhere deeper than an unguarded crumb. Whenever soil settles, foundation cracks appear. These cracks are highways for ants to travel along and settle down to look for food. The problem is not just cosmetic.
In clay-heavy soil that makes up Buffalo Grove, foundation movement creates entry points that exceed the reach of standard pest control methods. Local housing data shows that 68% of homes in Buffalo Grove are 30 years or older, and in older homes, foundation settling often goes hand in hand with ant infestations.
The sooner you find this out, especially if you have recurring ants, especially by baseboards or in the basement, the sooner you can talk to a foundation and/or Buffalo Grove pest control to save you thousands of dollars.
The Connection Between Buffalo Grove Soil and Foundation Ants
The clay soil under Buffalo Grove expands when it rains and shrinks during dry spells. The constant shrinking and expanding exerts pressure on home foundations, causing hairline fractures that eventually widen. These gaps are ideal entry points for ants.
Here is why Buffalo Grove foundations attract ants:
- Clay soil movement: Seasonal shifts in soil under the foundations of homes, creating new cracks each year.
- Moisture retention: Clay retains moisture close to foundations, which can attract any species looking for moisture, such as odorous house ants and pavement ants
- Temperature regulation: Foundation cracks sheltered ants from the brutal Illinois winters and torrid summers.
According to Buffalo Grove, it is among the areas with the highest precipitation in Lake County, with an average of 37 inches per year, according to research from the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, which leads to soil expansion that destabilizes foundations and creates conditions for ant colonization.
Identifying “Entry Point” Infestations vs. Surface Problems
Not all ant infestations are the same. Surface infestations occur when ants come indoors in search of food but stay in their nests outdoors. Entry-point infections are unique, as these colonies have developed nests on/inside the foundation walls of your home or have created structural breaks that serve as long-term entrances.
By observing ant behavior, you will be able to identify the difference. If trails keep appearing from the same baseboards, wall corners, or floor crevices, you have an entry point issue. Surface problems demonstrate haphazard, unfocused movement that fluctuates from day to day. They thrive in your walls, so entry-point infestations do not vanish with a thorough wipe-down or the absence of food.
Why Sealing Cracks Is Not Enough for Permanent Ant Control
- Hidden colonies: The sealant cannot reach far enough into the wall void, where ants typically nest.
- Multiple entry points: Ants can enter dozens of microscopic openings, and while sealing visible cracks may work, it is often ineffective.
- Existing populations: Sealed colonies will discover new pathways or break through barriers from within
Targeted Solutions for Ants in Settling Foundations
Buffalo Grove residents do not need to handle the two-pronged approach to tackling foundation and problems on their own. Since different ant species require different treatment methods, pest control experts first have to identify the ant species and locate the colony sites. Some species, like carpenter ants, are wood excavators and should be addressed right away, while pavement ants are primarily nuisance pests.
At Pointe Pest Control, we fight most of Buffalo Grove’s foundation-dwelling ants with treatments targeting colonies, not just killing worker ants you see. They pair that information with foundation repair recommendations, if needed, offering an all-in-one solution. This is best done in conjunction with foundation stabilization and works best when the colonies are eliminated prior to sealing cracks.
Wrapping Up!
Homeownership in Buffalo Grove inevitably comes with some settling of the foundation over time, but that should not mean enduring an ant invasion. A better understanding of how soil movement and pest entry points work means you can address issues at the source instead of fighting the same battle every spring. Well, avoid letting a hairline split turn into a superhighway for thousands of ants.