How to Get Rid of Ants in the House
An ant infestation often starts with one. A single ant scouting your kitchen bench or pantry. Before you know it, there’s a full-blown trail marching towards the crumbs you missed after brekkie. Ants aren’t just a nuisance; they can be a real problem.
Ants invade homes for three simple reasons: food, water, and shelter. They follow invisible scent trails, leading hundreds – sometimes thousands – straight to your home. And once they find a good spot, they’ll keep coming back.
So, how do you manage ants in the house? This guide from Allstate Pest Control covers everything: what attracts ants, how to manage ants, and ways to keep them out. Whether it’s sugar ants in your cupboards or an ant nest in the walls, we’ve got you covered.
Identifying Different Ant Species
Not all ants are the same. If you want to manage ants effectively, first, you need to know what you’re dealing with. Here are the common ant species found in Australian homes:
Sugar Ants
You leave a spoon in your tea mug overnight. By morning, a tiny army is feasting on the leftovers. That’s (banded) sugar ants for you. These little scavengers love anything sweet – honey, biscuits, soft drink spills, and sugar itself. If they find a way in, they won’t leave until the buffet is gone.
Argentine Ants
Tough, aggressive, and highly organised, Argentine ants don’t just invade. They take over. Unlike other ants, they don’t fight between nests. Instead, they form massive ant colonies that spread quickly, wiping out competitors. If you have a never-ending ant infestation, you might be dealing with these guys.
Carpenter Ants
You see big black ants hanging around your deck or skirting boards, eating them up like termites. Their heads and thoraxes look darker than in other ants, while their abdomen can have faint stripes or a velvety texture. These are carpenter ants. Except that they’re not here to mend the furniture, but eat them all up.
Carpenter ants tunnel through timber, creating nests inside your walls. They don’t eat wood like termites, but their tunnels weaken structures over time. Spotting them early is key to avoiding costly damage.
Other Ant Species
From tiny black house ants to garden ants, different species have different habits. Some prefer protein over sugar. Others build nests in exterior walls or underground. It pays to know which type you’re dealing with, because the wrong treatment won’t work.
Why Identifying Ant Species Matters
Not all ants respond to the same pest control methods. Bait is your best bet for sugar ants. As for carpenter ants, you need to find their nest fast. Standard sprays won’t work for Argentine ants. These invaders need professional treatment.
In any case, if you’re struggling with an ant problem, proper identification is the first step to effective removal. And if the infestation is getting out of hand? It’s time to call in the experts for an ant control service.
How to Get Rid of Ants: Effective Methods for Ant Control
Ants don’t pay rent. Yet, they’ll march into your home like they own the place. If you’ve spotted one (or a few) crawling across your cereal box, don’t ignore them. Ants send out scouts to sniff out food. Once they find something good, they call the entire colony. So, how do you stop them? You need the right approach. Here’s how to manage ants and keep them from coming back.
Cleaning and Prevention: Stop Attracting Ants
Ants don’t invade for fun. Again, they’re after food, water, and shelter. So, when you cut off their supply, you stop attracting ants.
- Clean kitchen surfaces: Crumbs, spills, and sticky spots are a buffet for ants. Wipe down benches, sweep the floor, and don’t forget behind the toaster.
- Store food in sealed containers: Sugar, rice, and even pet food should be in airtight containers. Take note: ants can chew through paper and cardboard.
- Seal cracks and entry points: Ants find their way in through tiny gaps. Check window sills, door frames, and wall voids. A bit of silicone or weather stripping can help.
- Fix leaks and remove moisture: Ants love damp areas. So, repair your dripping taps, clear blocked drains, and keep bathrooms dry.
A spotless home makes it harder for ants to survive. But what if they’re already inside? Then it’s time to fight back.
Natural Methods to Kill Ants
There are multiple ways to kill ants. Want a safe, chemical-free, home-made approach? Try these natural ways to stop ants.
- White vinegar & lemon juice: Ants rely on scent trails to find their way. A mix of white vinegar and water (or lemon juice) wipes out their tracks.
- Baking soda & powdered sugar: This DIY ant killer works by luring ants in. They eat it, take it back to the colony, and well… let’s just say they won’t be coming back.
- Coffee grounds: Scatter used coffee grounds around entry points. Ants hate the strong smell, and it disrupts their pheromone trails.
- Neem oil & diatomaceous earth: Both are natural, non-toxic, and deadly to ants. Sprinkle near nests, skirting boards, and doorways for long-term control.
If you’re after quick results, though, you may need a stronger approach.
Using Ant Baits and Sprays to Kill Ant Colonies
Sometimes, the only way to kill ants effectively is to take out the colony. Baits and sprays do exactly that.
- Bait traps work best: Ants take the poison back to their nest, wiping out the entire colony. Place bait near ant trails, wall edges, and dark corners.
- Where to put baits: The trick is not to kill worker ants instantly. Let them take the bait home. If you wipe them out too fast, the colony just sends more.
- Non-repellent sprays vs. contact killers: Spraying ants with standard bug spray only kills the ones you see. A non-repellent spray lets ants carry the poison back to the nest.
- Safety first: If you have kids or pets, always check that your ant bait and spray are pet-friendly. Some commercial products can be harmful if ingested.
Still seeing ants? It might be time to bring in the pros.
When to Call Professional Pest Control
Most small ant infestations can be handled with bait, sprays, and prevention. But if you’ve tried everything and ants keep coming back, here’s when to call pest control:
- You see ants everywhere: If ants are in multiple rooms or constantly returning, there’s likely a hidden nest nearby.
- Damage to wood or furniture: Carpenter ants chew through timber. If you see sawdust-like debris or hear faint rustling inside walls, don’t wait—get an inspection.
- Massive outdoor colonies: Argentine ants and other aggressive species can form super colonies, spreading over entire blocks. DIY won’t cut it.
Professional pest control experts find and prevente ant nests most efficiently. If you’re in South Australia and need fast, effective ant removal, the Allstate Pest Control experts are just by the corner.
What Attracts Ants? How to Prevent Future Infestations
Ants don’t just wander in for no reason. They come looking for a food source, water, and shelter. Leave one crumb on the counter, and worker ants will sniff it out in minutes. If you don’t cut off their supply, they’ll keep coming back.
1. Uncovered Food and Sticky Spills
Leftover toast crumbs on the bench? A tiny drop of juice near the sink? That’s an all-you-can-eat buffet for ants. They have a powerful sense of smell and love anything sweet, greasy, or starchy. Even pet food left out in a bowl can turn into an ant problem overnight.
Prevention Tip: Store everything in sealed containers, wipe down surfaces, and sweep the floor regularly. A clean kitchen is your best defence.
2. Moisture and Leaks
Ants need water just as much as food. Damp areas attract them, especially on hot summer days. A leaky tap, wet sponge, or condensation near windows is enough to bring them in. Some ants, like Argentine ants, thrive in high-moisture conditions.
Prevention Tip: Fix leaks, keep bathrooms and kitchens dry, and empty pet water bowls overnight.
3. Cracks, Holes, and Entry Points
Ants don’t need a wide-open door to get in. Tiny cracks in walls, floorboards, or window frames are all they need. Once inside, they’ll set up nests in wall voids, crevices, and other hidden spaces.
Prevention Tip: Seal gaps with caulk or weather stripping. If you spot a steady stream of ants coming in, follow their trail—they’ll lead you straight to the entry point.
4. Outdoor Factors: Plants, Garbage, and Lawns
Ants love gardens, compost bins, and overgrown lawns. They’re also drawn to aphids, tiny bugs that feed on plants and leave behind a sugary residue ants love.
Prevention Tip: Trim back trees and shrubs touching the house. Keep bins tightly sealed, and treat your lawn for aphids. A well-maintained yard helps keep ants outside—where they belong.
Stop Ants Before They Become a Problem!
Ants are social insects. Once they find a reliable food or water source, they bring the whole colony. The trick to controlling ants is removing what attracts them in the first place. Keep things clean, fix leaks, and block their entry points.
Still seeing ants? You might need a stronger approach. Allstate Pest Control offers fast, effective solutions to stop ants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to manage ants?
The quickest method is using bait traps. Ants take the poison back to the colony, wiping out the nest. Combine this with immediate cleaning and sealing entry points to stop new ants from coming in.
What keeps ants away?
Ants hate strong scents. Vinegar, lemon juice, and coffee grounds mess with their pheromone trails, making them lose their way. Keeping food sealed and wiping down surfaces regularly prevents infestations before they start.
What is the best homemade ant killer?
A simple mix of baking soda and powdered sugar does the trick. The sugar attracts them, and the baking soda kills them. White vinegar is also great for disrupting trails and keeping ants from coming back.
What smell do ants hate?
Ants can’t stand peppermint, vinegar, citrus, or cinnamon. Sprinkle these near entry points, skirting boards, or windows. Even a few drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls can keep them away.
When should I call a professional pest control service?
If you’ve tried every trick in the book and ants keep coming back, it’s time to call the experts. Severe infestations, hidden nests, or carpenter ants need professional treatment. Allstate Pest Control has the right solutions to stop ants in their tracks.
