Ants are a common household nuisance in the UK, especially during spring and summer when they are more active. These tiny insects can enter homes in search of food and water. Once they find a source, they will communicate with their colony, leading to an increased presence of ants in your home. If you don’t deal with the pests in time, the situation can quickly spiral out of control and become a significant headache.

Fortunately, there are several effective strategies that you can use to keep ants away and maintain a pest-free home. Our experienced ant control specialists have some great tips to share!

Read also: How Do Ants Reproduce?

5 Ways to Preventing Ants Entering Your Home

To keep ants outdoors where they belong, you’ve got to remove the reasons that tempt them to wander inside. Once they’ve made their way indoors, chasing them back out becomes a challenge. Luckily, there are plenty of simple ways to discourage, repel, and stop ants from sneaking into your home. Here’s how to keep these unwelcome guests from barging in without an invite:

Keep Your Home Clean

Maintaining a clean and dry home is vital to keep ants away. Pay special attention to your kitchen, dining area and pantry. Wipe down countertops, sweep floors, and promptly clean up spills to prevent ants from being lured into your home by food residue. Keep the pet bowls and the area around them as clean as possible because ants are not picky eaters when hungry. Another thing you can do is to get a rubbish can with an airtight lid and take the rubbish out daily. Keeping surfaces free of crumbs, spills, and stickiness is crucial to discourage ants from foraging in your home.

Store Food Properly

It’s crucial to store your food appropriately to avoid attracting ants, pests, and other insects into your home. Avoid leaving food out on the counters and tabletops, and if possible, keep fruits and vegetables in your refrigerator. Keep dry foods such as sugar, flour, oats, nuts, cereals, and dried fruits in airtight containers. This rule also applies to pet food like cat and dog kibbles, pet treats, and bird seeds. Always keep open food and drinks in a sealed container or the refrigerator. Properly storing your food is an excellent way to keep away all types of pests, including Pharaoh Ants, which are a common household problem in the UK.

Remove Outdoor Attractants

Ants are relentless in seeking out food sources, but they also need shelter and water. Maintain the outdoor areas around the house clean and tidy. Trim back overgrown vegetation and remove fallen branches, leaves, and other debris that can create breeding grounds for ants. Keep garbage bins tightly sealed to prevent ant foraging. Standing water also provides suitable conditions for ants to appear. Regularly inspect and repair leaks in outdoor fixtures, faucets, and pipes and ensure proper drainage. Eliminating standing water in flower pots, bird baths, and pet bowls will reduce the risk of attracting thirsty pests.

Read also: What Attracts Cockroaches in the House?

Seal Entry Points

Ants can find their way into your home through even the tiniest openings and cracks in your doors, windows, foundation or walls. Therefore, it is essential to regularly inspect all potential entry points, like gaps or holes and seal them properly to prevent ants from gaining access. You can use caulk or weather stripping to seal gaps in windows and doors and concrete or mortar to seal gaps in your foundation or walls. By taking these measures, you can protect your home from ant infestations and minimise the risks of damage and disease caused by these pesky insects.

Read also: What attracts moths in the house?

Use Natural Repellents

There are also several natural remedies you can use to deter ants. For example, placing mint leaves, cinnamon, or cloves near ant entry points can help keep them away. Alternatively, you can use cotton balls soaked in essential oils or spray diluted vinegar near ant trails and entry points to prevent them from entering your home. Be cautious when using vinegar on surfaces that are vulnerable to acid damage, such as natural stone, hardwood floors, and some metals.

Dealing with Ant Infestations

You may still experience ant infestations in your home despite your best efforts. If this occurs, there are several steps you can take to address the problem:

  • Locate the ant nest – follow the trail of ants to locate their nest, which is often found outdoors near the foundation of your home or in moist, dark areas indoors.
  • Use ant baits – place ant baits near ant trails and entry points to attract ants and eliminate the entire colony. Avoid using insecticides because they can cause ants to scatter and create additional problems.
  • Remain vigilant – keep an eye out for signs of new ant activity and promptly address any issues to prevent infestations from worsening.

By following these tips and remaining proactive in preventing and eliminating ants, you can enjoy a pest-free home throughout the year. Remember, consistency is essential when it comes to ant prevention, so stay diligent in your efforts to keep these pesky pests at bay.
If you have an ant infestation, contacting pest control professionals is best to deal with the problem. They will be able to identify the type of ant and use the appropriate treatment to eliminate the colony.