Ants are small, but they are very organised. When one ant finds food, it leaves a scent trail so the rest of the colony can follow.
That is why one ant quickly turns into hundreds. The trick is to remove both the food and the trail.
Find where they are going
Before you wipe anything, watch the trail for a minute. It will lead you to the food source and, often, to the gap they are using to get in.
- Sugar, honey and sweet drinks.
- Pet food bowls.
- Crumbs in the toaster or under the rice cooker.
Break the trail
Wiping with just water does not remove the scent. Use soapy water or a vinegar solution along the whole trail.
Spraying the ants you can see only kills the workers. The colony and the queen stay safe and simply send more.
Keep them from coming back
- Store sweet food in sealed jars or the fridge.
- Rinse drink bottles before putting them in the bin.
- Seal small gaps along window frames and skirting.
- Keep plants that touch the house trimmed back.
Quick tipPut pet food bowls in a shallow tray of water. Ants cannot cross it to reach the food.
When to get help
If ants keep appearing in many rooms, the colony may be inside a wall or under the floor. A professional can treat the colony itself, not just the trail.
