How To Stop Ants From Coming In The House

We’re all dreaming of seeing the sun this summer; ants marching across the kitchen floor is not what we want to see.

The common black garden ant is invading our homes in search of food, particularly anything sweet.

While a few ants might seem harmless, if not addressed, they can quickly become a persistent infestation.

The good news is that there are plenty of DIY prevention tips to keep the tiny invaders out of your house.

Here, we share some of the best tips and practical steps you can take: how to stop ants from coming into the house.

Why are ants coming into your home?

Ants will typically come inside in search of food, water, or shelter. They’re attracted to sweet and starchy foods, so biscuit crumbs are irresistible to them.

Once an ant finds a food source, it leaves behind a pheromone trail that leads the rest of the colony to the feast.

Moisture can also draw ants indoors, so leaking pipes or damp areas might attract them if they need water. Warmth and shelter during cooler months will also draw them inside.

Knowing what brings them indoors is a great first step to help avoid them venturing in to begin with.

Keep your home clean

The easiest way to stop ants from coming into your house is by keeping it clean. They come inside to look for food, so ensuring that nothing is lying around is a big way to keep them at bay.

Here’s what you can focus on:

Clean up spills and crumbs quickly: Even the tiniest sticky spill or a few crumbs will attract ants. Wipe juice splatters, crumbs, or grease on countertops and floors as soon as they happen. Remember those sneaky spots under the toaster, behind appliances, and behind couch cushions, where they may be lurking.
Store food in airtight containers: Keep sugar, cereal, biscuits, pet food, and other attractive treats sealed up. Using airtight containers will remove scent trails.
Take the rubbish out regularly: Indoor bins need tight lids and should be emptied often. Rotten food or sugary drinks in the bin are magnets for ants. Don’t forget to wipe the inside of the bin every time you empty it to prevent anything from sticking.
Pet areas should be tidy: If you have pets, pick up any leftover pet food after feeding times. Rinse or wipe the bowls so there’s no leftover residue.

Seal entry points

Ants will sneak in through the tiniest gaps. Sealing any potential entry points is a great way to avoid letting ants into your home. Walk around your home, both inside and outside, and look for spots that they may burrow their way into. Look at:

Doors and windows: Check for gaps under doors and around window frames. Use weatherstripping or a door seal to close gaps. Use caulk or filler to seal cracks, and remember even the smallest holes will allow ants through, so fill even the smallest ones.
Cracks in walls or flooring: Look at your brickwork, interior walls, and home’s foundation for fissures. Silicone caulk, acrylic sealant, and plaster will help fill these openings and prevent ants from entering.
Vents and utility openings: Check vents and air bricks to ensure they’re properly meshed. Also, check gaps around your plumbing to ensure it’s all sealed. Expandable foam can help seal holes around pipes, keeping ants out and other pests out.

Reducing ant attractions outside

The areas around your home can be a huge attraction for ants. Here are some changes you can make outside that will stop ants:

Keep rubbish bins sealed: Outdoor wheelie bins should have lids that fit securely. Ants’ keen sense of smell will detect leftover food, so an open bin is an invitation in.
Eliminate water sources: While ants are usually looking for food, they also need water. Tip away any standing water and fix leaking taps or pipes outside.
Trim your greenery: Trim back any plants, branches, or shrubs that touch your home. These are perfect bridges for ants or other pests to make their way indoors.
Sort out ant nests: If you spot an ant hill or nest in your garden, dealing with it can prevent them from making their way inside. Pour a kettle of boiling water, using caution, to disrupt the colony. However, this may only provide a temporary fix; professional treatments may be needed.

Natural ways to deter ants

If you’d prefer not to use harsh chemicals indoors, try these natural remedies to deter ants from entering your home.

White vinegar: Vinegar is a natural ant repellent. Mix one part white vinegar and three parts water in a spray bottle. Use on surfaces or entry points.
Lemon juice and citrus: Lemon juice confuses ants by masking the scent trails they leave for each other. Dilute fresh lemon juice with water and use anywhere you’ve seen ants.
Peppermint and lavender oil: These strongly scented oils will repel ants. Use them on cotton balls and wipe along skirting boards. If you have pets, make sure the oil you use is safe for them.
Spices: For a traditional remedy, sprinkle cinnamon, cayenne pepper, or even ground coffee in entry points. These interfere with ants’ scent tracking.

Dealing with ants indoors: What to do immediately

If you’ve spotted ants inside your home, don’t panic. There are some quick control steps you can take:

Follow the trail to the source: Observe where the ants are coming in and where they’re going to. You could find a crack or gap that could be easily fixed. You may also find dropped food that you could remove.
Wipe away the ant trail: Once you’ve removed the food, the ants can still continue to follow the invisible pheromone path left behind. A vinegar-water solution or soapy water will clean the surface where ants have been walking.
Vacuum the ants you can see: Vacuum up any remaining ants you can see, or use a wet paper towel to pick them up and dispose of them. Crushed ants will still leave a scent trail, so get rid of them.
Bait traps: If you’re seeing lots of ants it might be worth buying a store-bought bait trap. It can take up to a couple of weeks to work, so be patient.
Don’t kill lone ants: It might be tempting to get rid of single ants as and when you see them. But when they’re crushed, they release signals for more ants to come and investigate.

When to consider professional help

Sometimes, an ant problem persists despite your best DIY efforts. If the infestation is large or recurring, a professional can provide specialised treatment to fully eliminate it.

If your DIY methods are in vain and the ants keep coming, it’s time to call in the professionals. They can safely and effectively get rid of them.

Another time you’ll need to call in the experts is if you suspect a less common species. Typically, you’ll be tackling black garden ants. But if you spot tiny yellow ants or reddish ants, these will need professional help to ensure they’re gone quickly.

Follow our tips and tricks to enjoy an ant-free home. And savour the warmer seasons without unwelcome ant trails in your kitchen.

If you think you need help with an ant problem, contact Premier Pest Control today, and we’ll offer our expert advice on what to do.