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Most ants only come into your home to look for food. They can be attracted to anything sweet or savory, which is why you can find ants anywhere food is kept, especially in the kitchen. Once ants find a food source, they lay down an invisible trail that other ants can sense and follow to keep coming back to get more food for their colony.
This trail can lead to a continuous stream of ants, making it harder to control the problem without proper prevention methods. Allowing ants to establish a presence in your home can quickly escalate from a few ants to a full-blown ant infestation, as ants are capable of forming large colonies that rely on a steady food supply. An unchecked infestation may contaminate food, damage property, and even attract other pests.
To avoid these issues, it’s essential to take proactive steps to prevent ants from entering your home in the first place. Below, you’ll find the key measures you can use to minimize ant activity and secure your home against infestations. Following these steps can help manage minor ant problems before they grow or require professional pest control support.
Top tips to prevent ants from coming inside
Keep your house clean
Clean up food and liquid spills immediately, as even the tiniest crumb can attract an army of ants. Make it a habit to sweep up crumbs from floors, countertops, and especially from hard-to-reach areas like under kitchen appliances and cabinets. Regularly wiping down surfaces and keeping food areas tidy goes a long way in keeping ants from sensing a food source and setting up trails into your home.
Correctly store your food
Store your food in airtight containers or bags in cabinets and refrigerators. Even refrigerator seals are no problem for ants! Fruit bowls with fermenting fruit should be emptied regularly. Ant colonies move to places where foraging ants have reported that it is easy to find food and water. Ants will form trails and will continue to seek food and water from the same place for as long as possible, setting up colonies inside of the home to stay close to the source if it is not taken away before much time has passed. Keeping counters and floors clean and keeping food put away can help to discourage ants from infesting. Keeping food in sealed containers and bags can also help to minimize food sources for ants.
Clean up after your pets
Clean up pet food as it is also a food source that will attract ants to your home. Be sure to clean your pet’s bowl after use too.
Seal up cracks and crevices
Seal all cracks and crevices around your doors and window frames to block entry for ants. Check for leaks from time to time. Ants are tiny, so even the smallest cracks around sinks, under cabinets, and around foundations can allow ants to find a way in. Home residents may be able to help prevent ants by resealing areas that are caulked, such as around sinks and tubs and areas where counters attach to walls as part of spring cleaning. Window and door seals can be checked as plastic and storm windows are removed, and home residents can add weather stripping and door sweeps to minimize openings.
Keep your garbage secure
Keep garbage lids closed tightly as ants can easily detect the leftovers in your trash.
Reduce indoor moisture
Reduce moisture since moisture is as attractive to ants as food. Investing in a dehumidifier or moisture-controlling ventilation system can help to keep moisture levels low. Keeping “Damp-rid” or other over-the-counter moisture controlling products may also be helpful.
Effective ant prevention methods
Depending on the ant species that has managed to invite itself into your home, removing ants yourself can be dangerous. Our ant control specialists know what to do when it comes to ant deterrents. They understand the habits of different types of ants and can offer the most appropriate and effective solution. Ehrlich experts can also help you remove infestations and activity around your home or business. With our expertise in ant prevention, we know how to stop ants before they become a serious problem, helping protect your home and peace of mind.
Call us today at 844-676-1420 or contact us online to learn how our services can help prevent ants.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my house infested with ants?
Ants often invade homes in search of food, water, and shelter. They’re attracted to any accessible food source, especially sugary and greasy foods, which is why they often show up in kitchens and pantries. Even small crumbs or spills can attract ants, and once they find a reliable source, they leave scent trails to lead other ants to it, quickly leading to an infestation. Sealing food, keeping surfaces clean, and closing off any entry points can help reduce ant activity indoors.
How long will vinegar keep ants away?
Vinegar is a natural deterrent that can help keep ants away, but it’s usually a temporary solution. When sprayed along entry points and trails, vinegar disrupts the ants' scent trails, causing confusion and discouraging them from returning. However, vinegar typically needs to be reapplied every few days or after cleaning, as its effects wear off over time. For lasting ant prevention, consider combining vinegar with other methods or seeking professional ant control services.
How do you figure out where ants are coming from?
To determine where ants are entering your home, observe their trails. Ants often follow established paths between food sources and their colony, which can reveal entry points like small cracks, crevices, or gaps around windows and doors. Watching their movement closely can help you identify these entry points. Sealing these areas and eliminating food sources can stop ants from entering your home and prevent future infestations.
Why do I have ants in my house if I'm clean?
Even in clean homes, ants can find reasons to enter if they detect food, water, or shelter. They may be drawn by unnoticed crumbs, tiny food spills, or accessible water sources like leaky faucets. Additionally, some ants enter homes simply for shelter, especially during extreme weather. Regularly checking for and sealing small cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and baseboards can prevent ants from finding their way inside, even in a spotless home.