If you've ever experienced an ant invasion in your home, you know how relentless and determined these little pests can be – and how difficult they are to remove. One goes down, and it feels like another 50 come back.
Ants are attracted to food and moisture, which is why your kitchen, in particular, can be a hotspot when it's not kept clear. They are most active in warmer weather, making now the perfect time to learn how to prevent them as part of your spring maintenance checklist.
To find out the best approach, I spoke with three pest control experts to hear their top tips. Below, you'll discover five ways to keep your home ant-free this year, along with the products that can give you a helping hand.
Article continues belowHow to get rid of ants in your home
1. Seal entryways
When it comes to getting rid of ants in your home, prevention is key. One way to do this is by sealing potential entryways, such as gaps, holes and cracks, using caulk or weatherstripping.
"If you spot ants in the garden, you can try following their trails to see how they are entering the property," advises Darren Backhouse, Partner at MJ Backhouse Pest Control.
Sealant shopping picks
Affordable, flexible, and fast-drying, this budget-friendly caulk is ideal for sealing gaps.
Keep pests, noise and cold out with this two-pack of draught excluders.
This self-adhesive draught tape sticks to your doors and windows, preventing pests from entering.
2. Keep your kitchen clean and tidy
According to Daniel Steward, Managing Director of Shield Pest Control, ants are primarily drawn indoors by food. That’s why it’s so important to keep your kitchen counters clean and free of leftovers.
After preparing meals, make sure to wipe down surfaces to remove greasy residue, spills, and crumbs, and store your food in airtight containers. The same applies to your bins – you’ll need a tight-fitting lid to keep pests out.
Tony King, owner of The Pied Piper, says, "Sugar, flour and cereal need to be kept in airtight containers, and pet food should never be left out overnight. You need to clean counters and dining areas after every meal, making sure to get the little bits that may fall back into the space between the appliances and the baseboards."
These steps will also help to prevent mice and rats in your home.
These airtight containers will keep your food fresh for longer – and pesky ants out!
3. Keep your garden clear
Do you have any tree branches or shrubs brushing against your house? If so, they could be acting as an "ant highway", according to Tony King. The same goes for mulch, leaves and firewood, which could attract ants (and other pests like slugs) into your home.
4. Vacuum the ants
"If ants are already visible, short-term solutions, such as vacuuming them up, can help reduce numbers quickly," says Daniel Steward.
However, he stresses the importance of emptying the vacuum promptly – and doing so somewhere away from your home; otherwise, the ants will eventually find their way back inside.
5. Consider a natural deterrent
You may also want to try a natural deterrent, such as spraying diluted vinegar, soapy water, or essential oils (like peppermint or tea tree) around your home. According to Daniel Stewart, these ingredients can disrupt ant trails and discourage them from entering.
However, he advises avoiding popular methods like salt, which are "not particularly effective and don't address the root of the problem.'"
White vinegar is perfect for cooking, cleaning, and keeping pests away – and this five-litre bottle will go a long way.
Darren is the partner of a family-run pest control company based in Yorkshire, which has been operating since 1988. He has vast experience working on both domestic and commercial property and has seen just about every pest control issue there is over the years.
Tony King is the owner and manager of The Pied Piper, a leading pest control service that has been in operation for more than 25 years.
With 24 years of experience in the pest control industry, Daniel has developed a deep understanding of the various diagnostic methods and techniques used to eliminate pests from homes and businesses.
What time of year do ants start to appear?
Spring is when ants typically start appearing in UK homes, as the weather warms up and colonies become active. Daniel Stewart explains that this is the time of year when ants leave their nests to forage for food and water, so they often go unnoticed in our kitchens.
Ant activity increases as we move into late spring and summer – especially during warmer spells or after heavy rainfall (similarly to fruit flies).
"Flying ants are most commonly seen in July and August, when reproductive ants leave their colonies to mate and establish new nests. However, the initial signs of ant activity indoors usually begins earlier in the season, making spring a key time to stay vigilant," he adds.
What causes ants to appear in the home?
Ants enter our homes for three reasons: food, water, and shelter. According to Daniel Stewart, "even the smallest crumbs or traces of food will attract them," and they leave a scent trail for their colony to follow.
It’s not just food residue you need to watch out for – sinks, leaky pipes, and damp areas are also attractive to ants.
"In many cases, ants seen indoors are coming from outdoor nests located close to the property, such as in soil, paving or near foundations. Warmer weather encourages them to explore further afield and homes provide ideal conditions with easy access to food and shelter," Daniel adds.
After speaking with pest control experts, it's clear that prevention plays the biggest role in removing ants from your home, so make sure you're wiping down surfaces regularly and blocking any entryways.
For more advice, read our guide on how to keep spiders out of your house and how to stop pests in insulation.
