How to get rid of ants in the house

Ants, while fascinating and intelligent, are a very common pest in homes. Very quickly the odd scouting ant can become an infestation.

Wondering how to get rid of ants in the house? You could choose to eliminate them naturally or chemically, or even call in a professional pest control expert.

Want to tackle this job yourself? No problem, we will be looking further into how to get rid of ants at home as well as in your kitchen and bedroom. Remember, brushing or hoovering them up is a temporary fix at best and they will keep coming back! So, read on and take action.

Understanding ants

Frustratingly, ants are persistent and a nuisance. They will always be attracted to a specific source like a leaky honey pot, jam jar or a dirty spoon. So, remove the source and clean the area. What’s more, the lead ant leaves a pheromone trail for his fellow ants to follow, so you need to eradicate the scent of this as well.

After observing them, you will have found their point of entry, so make sure this is sealed up and cleaned. You will then need to continue your investigations outside of the house, looking for the nest, so you can treat the problem at the source to prevent a recurrence.

How to get rid of ants in the house naturally

There are a number of ways to remove ants from your home, but if you have small children or pets you may prefer to do so without dangerous chemicals. Wondering how to get rid of ants in the house naturally? Follow the below steps to ant proof your home:

1. Begin by thoroughly cleaning the source and the area around the source. Remember this means cleaning up the ant’s entry point into your property as well as the reason they came into your home e.g. a jam jar or a sticky spoon.
2. Next, you need to remove the lead ant’s pheromone trail. Mix one part vinegar to three parts water and spray it wherever you have seen the ants walking.
3. You can now fill in all entry points to your home with caulk or sealant, and clean them thoroughly.
4. Finally, spray the area with the vinegar solution.
5. To deter further expeditions, you now need a repellent. Mix peppermint or lavender oil with water and spray it on all potential entry points.
6. Finally, once the outdoor nest has been located, this can be destroyed by pouring boiling water over the entire area.

How to get rid of ants at home chemically

If you are looking for an effective way to permanently remove ants from your property, using chemicals can be a great option. Many people are unsure how to get rid of ants at home chemically, but by using the below guide it couldn’t be simpler:

1. As described above, begin by mixing one part vinegar to three parts of water and spraying it wherever you have seen the ants.
2. Make sure you also fill in all entry points with caulk or sealant and clean thoroughly.
3. Then spray the area with the vinegar solution.
4. Now you will need to look for an ant product with Boric Acid (this can be found in Garden centres, DIY stores and Supermarkets).
5. Please note, extreme caution must be taken when using these products and manufacturers guidelines MUST always be followed. Plus, special care should be taken with pets and children.
6. Follow the instructions on your chosen ant elimination product.
7. Remember, DO NOT kill the ants yourself. These products are designed to be carried by the foraging ants back to their nest to destroy the entire colony.
8. Lastly, be patient as this process can take a little time.

How to get rid of ants in the kitchen

Unfortunately, the kitchen is like a theme park for ants, full of sugar and sticky food products. This can make it difficult to figure out how to get rid of ants in the kitchen. The most important way to banish ants, or even stop them from entering your home in the first place, is to be methodical in keeping your kitchen clean.

Begin by making sure you thoroughly clean up every time you prepare food or drinks. A few spilt sugar granules can be a beacon for ants. Plus, leaving dirty plates, cups and cutlery can be another issue so clean as you use them.

Also, take the time to regularly clean out your cupboards. Old pots of honey or syrup may have tiny drips which will attract ants into your kitchen. In fact, even pet food bowls can lure ants inside your house, so keep them clean after use.

You will then need to decide whether to use a natural or chemical method for getting rid of ants as described previously. You can even use a natural deterrent to prevent ants from entering your home in the first place. Consider lining your doors with salt, chalk, cinnamon or curry powder.

How to get rid of ants in the bedroom

Ants are nothing if not persistent. In fact, they can reach any space in your home, even your bedroom. The last thing you want is ants in your bed, crawling over you when you are sleeping. Although, they are generally not dangerous so don’t panic if you do spot ants running across your pillow.

Wondering how to get rid of ants in the bedroom? Begin with food hygiene. That crumb covered plate or empty juice glass on your bedside table? It’s a red flag to ants, so keep your bedroom clear of any food or drink waste. What’s more, some medicines contain syrup or sugar so leaky bottles can also attract ants.

You should regularly empty bins throughout your home as these may contain waste that draws ants into your living space. Furthermore, ants don’t like certain scents so using peppermint essential oil or garlic can help to deter them from your home. Use these near potential entry points.

Finally, to banish ants for good, follow the above steps in our ‘How to get rid of ants in the house naturally’ or ‘how to get rid of ants at home chemically’ sections.

Getting the professionals in

You always have the option of speaking to a professional ant exterminator, especially if your ant problem is severe. You may be busy, or unable to tackle the issue yourself, in which case hiring a tradesperson will save you time and energy. Alternatively, you may have already attempted to eliminate ants from your home and been unsuccessful.

No clue how to get rid of ants in your house? Speaking to an expert will involve a thorough inspection of your home. They will be able to identify the exact species, their nest, the source and exterminate them accordingly with a targeted approach. In fact, this approach is generally quicker and safer for pets and children.

If you would prefer to hire a professional to deal with your ant issue, please use our free search feature to find a qualified ant exterminator in your area today. Want to learn more about pest control? Explore our pest control cost guide for average prices as well as everything you need to know about hiring a tradesperson.

Ant control prevention checklist

As we have discussed there are many different ways of preventing an ant infestation. These range from cleaning to tidying, so, if you want to know how to stop ants in your house from invading your living space follow the below guidelines:

• Keep your garden tidy and well cared for. Bushes and shrubs that are overgrown and touch the house can make it easier for ants to get inside.
• Ensure when jars are put away, they are clean and free from sugary residue.
• Store food safely, ensuring it is fully covered.
• Do not allow dirty dishes to pile up.
• Wipe up spills immediately.
• Regularly remove household rubbish.
• Keep work surfaces and floor areas clean.

Ant control costs

Of course, you will need to pay for a number of different materials when it comes to removing ants from your home. Below are the most common of these to give a rough price guide:

• Ant Killer Powder/spray/gel: £3-£25 per item. Multiple products may be required depending on the size of the infestation.
• Bait stations: £4-£10.
• Pest Control professional: This is dependent on the size of the infestation and the number of treatments required. On average this will cost £100.
• Sealant: £3-£6.
• Sealant dispenser gun: £2-£10.
• Vinegar 568ml: £1-£2.
• Essential oils: £2-£7.
• Spray bottle: £1-£3.

Further prices can be found in our ant control cost guide.