§ 01
Why ants come inside
Worker ants search for food and leave a scent trail for the rest of the colony to follow once they find some. Crumbs, sugar, pet food and sticky spills can all bring a steady line of ants in from a nest under paving, in a lawn or at the base of a wall. They are most noticeable from late spring through summer.
§ 02
Finding where they're coming from
Follow the trail back from the food. Common entry points are gaps around door frames, under kitchen units, where pipes go through walls and along skirting boards. Outside, look for small piles of fine soil between paving slabs or along the edge of the house.
§ 03
What helps
- Wipe the trail with a household detergent to remove the scent.
- Store sugar, cereals and pet food in sealed containers.
- Clean up spills straight away and don't leave pet food down.
- Seal small gaps around frames and pipes once the ants have been dealt with.
§ 04
What doesn't work
Spraying the ants you can see only kills a small number of workers. The queen and most of the colony stay in the nest, so more ants will arrive within days. Treatment needs to reach the nest, either directly or through baits the workers carry back.
§ 05
Pharaoh ants
Pharaoh ants are tiny (about 2 mm), pale yellow-brown and live inside heated buildings such as flats, hospitals and care homes, often around hot water pipes. They are active all year. Ordinary sprays can cause colonies to split and spread, so they need a planned professional treatment.
