• Household nuisance ants build their colony both indoors (in wall voids or under flooring) and outdoors
• If outdoors, the colonies are often built close to the home and are hidden in the soil or under objects on the ground

• These ants are seen indoors when they search for food to bring back to the colony
• They are known to eat many different types of food, and they can even change their food preferences during the year

• Nuisance ants can infest and contaminate your food

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