Cleaning and tidiness is the key! Eliminate food, water, and other things that attract ants:
- Remove food spills and exposed food
- Store food in sealed containers
- Dry out bathtubs and sinks after use
- Rinse glass, metal, plastic, and paper food containers before recycling/throwing them out
- Clean all kitchen surfaces and vacuum spilled dried food often
- Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink
- Keep food out of bedrooms and living rooms
- Cover or clean up any pet food that may have spilled from your pet's dish
Seal up entryways to help keep them out:
- Caulk any cracks or crevices where ants can enter your home from outside or neighboring units
- Make sure your windows and doors fit tightly
- Avoid putting organic mulch next to your foundation, which provides an ideal place for outdoor ants to build their colony and then invade your home
- Do not store items like firewood near the home, which provides a convenient outdoor area for ants to live and make a colony
Avoid common mistakes
- Continue to treat problem areas even after all ants are gone (others can re-invade)
- When using ant baits, do not place them on areas that have been sprayed with an aerosol or liquid insecticide - ants traveling over sprayed areas will die before they have a chance to bring the bait back to the colony