How to keep ants away: prevention & repellents

No one wants ants in their home, and ants are one of the most difficult pests to prevent from entering your property. Whether it’s an infestation of Argentine ants, carpenter ants, or fire ants, the best way to stop an ant problem is to take action before it starts.

When ants enter your property, they can leave ant pheromone trails to communicate with their colony members. Now the colony knows your home is a place where they can find food and shelter. It’s one of the many interesting facts about ants that makes them such effective insects.

Before you call in a trained and licensed exterminator, like Western Exterminator, to treat your home, there are steps you can take to help keep ants away from your property. However, if you are dealing with an ant infestation and want to get rid of them, contact Western Exterminator.

Keeping ants away from your home

Ant infestations can quickly become a problem if preventive measures are not in place. Understanding what attracts ants can help in taking proactive measures to prevent an infestation.

Why do ants come into your home?

Ants enter homes primarily in search of food, water, and shelter. These tiny pests are particularly drawn to sugary and greasy substances and moisture from leaking pipes or damp areas. Ant colonies send out scouts to locate these resources, and once a viable source is found, they can leave behind pheromone trails to guide the rest of the colony. This is why even a single ant sighting can quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation.

In addition to food and water, ants often enter homes for warmth, especially during colder months. They take advantage of small openings, cracks in walls, and even improperly sealed windows and doors to find their way indoors.

How to prevent ants in the kitchen

One of the places people first see ants in the home is the kitchen. This is because ants are constantly searching for food. Ant colonies will send out scouts to find food sources that will lay down a chemical trail when they find food. This then allows all of the other scavenger ants, charged with finding food for the nest, to come out and start carrying food back to the rest of the anthill.

The place where we have the highest concentration of food that ants like to eat is in the kitchen, and the pantries close to the kitchen. Ants will seek out food on counters, in cabinets, cupboards, and other areas.

Store food properly

Proper food storage is a crucial step in ant prevention. Keeping ants away starts with storing food in airtight containers, particularly items like sugar and flour. Avoid leaving food out on countertops, and be sure to wipe down surfaces regularly to remove any crumbs or spills. Refrigerate perishable items, and take out the trash frequently to help eliminate potential food sources for scavenger ants. Stopping ants from accessing your pet’s food is also essential. 

Keep your home clean

Once again, cleanliness is key. Keep your kitchen clean and tidy at all times. Sweep up crumbs and food scraps and be careful about leaving any food out. Never leave food uncovered. Seal up food in containers so ants cannot get inside or store them in the fridge or other areas with seals that prevent them from coming in. Wash all dishes and silverware, ensuring there’s no food residue left on them.

Pay particular attention to your floor, too, making sure there are no crumbs and scraps hiding in the corners or edges of the kitchen. If ants have already traveled across your floor, remember to remove the scent trail. If you have mats or carpets on the floor, vacuum them to remove tiny particles of food.

Pay attention to your garbage cans, too. Empty them regularly, and wash them out to remove any leftover liquids that might attract ants. You could also add some baking soda to the garbage to help repel the ants.

Protect your home from ants

If ants cannot gain entry into your property, then you won't have to worry about infestations. That's easier said than done, as it will only take the tiniest gap to give small insects like ants access. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some ant control tips and prevention methods.

Seal cracks and crevices

Sealing cracks and crevices is an important step in ant prevention. Ants can enter your home through the smallest openings, so inspect areas around windows, doors, and foundations. Use caulk to seal any gaps and install weather stripping where necessary to keep ants away.

Ants typically enter through small gaps around:

• Window and door frames
• Baseboards and flooring
• Plumbing and utility openings
• Wall cracks and crevices
   

Remove moisture

Moisture attracts ants, making damp areas in your home a potential hotspot for infestations. Fix leaky pipes, dry out damp areas with dehumidifiers, and ensure proper ventilation to prevent ants from seeking water sources indoors.

Outdoor prevention tips

Preventing ants starts outside of your home. Keep shrubs and trees trimmed away from the house, store firewood away from the foundation, and remove debris that could serve as shelter. Also, check for standing water in yard areas to avoid attracting ants.

Natural ways to keep ants away

While there are several natural methods to help deter ants, their effectiveness is often limited. Many DIY solutions focus on disrupting scent trails, but they rarely address the root cause of the infestation. Natural, non-toxic methods may provide short-term relief, but they don’t ensure long-term results. Professional ant prevention services offer a more reliable and lasting solution, but let’s take a look at some of the most popular DIY ant prevention measures.

Essential oils and natural repellents

Certain essential oils, such as peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and lemon juice, are seen as eco-friendly natural ant deterrents. Mix a few drops with water and spray along entry points using a spray bottle to help with ant prevention. White vinegar and diatomaceous earth are also home remedies said to disrupt ant trails and deter scavenger ants.

Other natural remedies to help deter ants include coffee grounds, borax, black pepper, dish soap, and boric acid. Some of these items are said to disturb ants when spread across windowsills or near common entry points. Others, like borax, are mixed with sugar and soaked over cotton balls. This is designed to attract and kill the ants. 

It's important to exercise caution when using these methods around children and pets, as some essential oils can be toxic or trigger allergies. These methods also do not address the source of ant infestations, allowing them to continue to grow inside your home.

Are DIY ant repellents effective?

DIY ant repellents can provide temporary relief but are unlikely to address the root cause of an infestation. While some natural remedies can temporarily help, if you have a severe infestation or are unsure about a safe application, it’s best to contact our specialists for professional ant control and long-lasting results.

Keep ants away with Western Exterminator

The most effective way to keep ants away from your home or business is to work with professionals like Western Exterminator to have preventive treatments applied to the exterior and interior of your property. While ants are often active year-round on the West Coast, it is especially important to arrange a treatment prior to the warmer months. 

Residential customers have the opportunity to sign up for Western Exterminator's year-round protection plan, PestFree365+. With PestFree365+, you can enjoy full peace of mind knowing that your home will receive regularly scheduled technician visits and treatments.¹

Western Exterminator are experts in ant prevention for the home and for businesses. We can find where ants could potentially enter the building and what might attract them there. Our technicians have industry-leading training and expertise in all ant species and know just what to do to keep your property ant-free protected from ants. To learn about more about our ant control and prevention solutions, fill out our contact form online. 

Frequently asked questions

1Treatments and Covered Pests defined in your Plan. Limitations apply. See Plan for details.