How to Get Rid of Ants in Your House for Good
A few ants on the counter can turn into a long, marching line overnight. Ants are drawn indoors by food, water and shelter, and once a scout finds something good, it leaves a scent trail for the rest of the colony to follow. The secret to lasting results is not killing the ants you see; it is wiping out the colony and closing the door behind them. Here is exactly how to get rid of ants in your kitchen and home.
Quick answer: To get rid of ants, follow their trail to find where they enter, remove food and water sources, and wipe the trail with a 50/50 vinegar and water spray to erase their scent. Then place slow-acting ant bait along the trail so workers carry it back and kill the colony. Finally, seal cracks and gaps where ants get in. Most infestations clear up within one to two weeks.
Why Do Ants Come Inside?
- Food: crumbs, sugar, grease, pet food and sticky spills.
- Water: leaky pipes, wet sinks and condensation, especially in dry weather.
- Shelter: warm walls and damp wood, especially for carpenter ants.
- Weather changes: heavy rain or heat can push colonies indoors.
How to Get Rid of Ants Step by Step
1. Follow the trail
Before you wipe anything, watch the ants for a few minutes. Find where they come in (a window frame, a crack in the baseboard, an outlet) and what food they are after. This tells you where to put bait and what to seal.
2. Remove what attracts them
Store sugar, cereal, honey and pet food in airtight containers. Wipe counters after cooking, sweep under appliances, rinse dishes and fix leaky faucets.
3. Erase the scent trail
Spray the trail with a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water, or soapy water, and wipe it away. This removes the pheromone path other ants follow.
4. Use ant bait, not spray
Ant bait mixes a slow-acting insecticide with food. Worker ants carry it back to the nest and share it with the queen and the rest of the colony. Place bait stations right on the trail and leave them alone. You will likely see more ants at first; that is a sign it is working. Avoid spraying insecticide near bait, because it kills the workers before they can deliver it.
If you have kids or pets, choose enclosed, child-resistant bait stations and place them where pets cannot reach.
5. Seal entry points
Use caulk to seal cracks around windows, doors, baseboards, pipes and wiring. Trim tree branches and shrubs so they do not touch the house, because ants use them as bridges.
6. Treat the nest outside
If ants keep returning, look for nests near your foundation, patio or garden. Outdoor granular bait or a perimeter treatment can stop them before they reach the house.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants
| Method | How to use it | How well it works |
|---|---|---|
| Vinegar spray | Wipe trails with 1:1 vinegar and water | Removes scent trails; does not kill the colony |
| Soapy water | Spray ants and trails with water plus dish soap | Kills ants on contact |
| Borax and sugar bait | Mix 1 part borax with 3 parts sugar and a little water on a cotton ball | Kills colonies; keep away from kids and pets |
| Diatomaceous earth (food grade) | Sprinkle a thin line at entry points | Slowly kills ants that cross it; must stay dry |
| Cinnamon, peppermint or citrus | Sprinkle or wipe near entry points | May deter ants; results vary |
Common Types of House Ants
- Odorous house ants (sugar ants): small, dark ants that love sweets; they smell like rotten coconut when crushed.
- Pavement ants: come in through cracks in slabs and foundations.
- Carpenter ants: large black ants that nest in damp or damaged wood. Seeing them indoors in spring can signal a nest in your walls, so consider a pest professional.
- Fire ants: mostly outdoors in the South; they sting, so avoid disturbing mounds.
When to Call a Professional
Call a licensed pest control company if you see carpenter ants, find sawdust-like debris near wood, deal with fire ants near your home or still see ants after two to three weeks of baiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kills ants instantly?
Soapy water or a vinegar spray kills ants on contact, but it only gets the ants you see. Bait is what eliminates the colony.
How long does ant bait take to work?
Usually a few days to two weeks, depending on the size of the colony. Keep bait in place until no more ants show up.
Why do ants keep coming back?
The colony is still alive, food is still available, or entry points are still open. Bait, clean and seal at the same time for lasting results.
The Bottom Line
If you want to know how to get rid of ants for good, focus on the colony, not just the ants you can see. Remove food, erase the trail, let bait do its work and seal the gaps. Dealing with tiny flying pests too? See our guide on how to get rid of fruit flies.
Always follow the label directions on any pesticide or bait product, and keep all baits and treatments out of reach of children and pets.
