HOW TO GET RID OF ANTS

Ants may be small, but quickly become a major problem if left unchecked. If you want to understand how to get rid of ants effectively, our guide has you covered. We’ll walk you through natural remedies and chemical solutions for how to kill ants. Our guidance will help you prevent future infestations, keep your home pest-free and safeguard against potential health risks.

How to get rid of ants permanently inside

To permanently get rid of ants inside your home, you need to tackle the problem at its source. This guide will walk you through practical methods to eliminate ants and keep them from coming back, helping ensure your home is free of ants.

Start by locating the nest causing the ant infestation in your house

To effectively learn how to get rid of ants inside your home, start by locating the ant nest. The ants you see are usually ‘scout ants’ that create trails by carrying food back to their nest using pheromones when they have located food. These scouts represent only a small part of the larger colony, which might not be immediately visible. Just like with ‘how to get rid of carpenter ants’, finding the nest involves following their trail. Since ants prefer damp areas, look for signs such as water damage or foundational cracks. 

Common ant nesting sites include:

• Walls and foundations.
• Stacked and piled debris including wood, bricks, stones and leaf litter.
• Indoor potted plants.
• Small spaces between fittings and walls.
• Areas with water damage or poor sanitation.
• Garden soil.
• Around pots.
• Damaged or wet tree stumps, lumber or old outdoor furniture.
• Between tiles and bricks.
• Under garden edging or siding.
• Cracked stucco garden walls.

For colonies limited to one area, to get rid of ants you will only need to spot-treat with an ant killer product.
Address food sources in the kitchen to stop ants from entering

Ants are often drawn to food sources, so if you’re looking for how to get rid of ants in the house, focus on the kitchen. Since ant colonies can only be eliminated at the source, sometimes it’s as simple as cleaning up spills, wiping down surfaces, ensuring there’s no leftover pet food and washing dishes.

Eliminate the source by:

• Drying dish towels and mats thoroughly.
• Cleaning up spills and crumbs, and regularly sanitising the kitchen, similar to how to get rid of sugar ants. 
• Take out the garbage regularly. 
• Storing food (including pet food) in airtight containers and keeping ripe fruits in the fridge.
• Regularly cleaning around and washing your pet’s bowl.
• Spraying entry points, your house’s foundation and the first row of garden edging with an ant removal product like Mortein Solutions for ants.
• Limit accessibility to pet food once your pet has finished eating.

How to stop ants around the home 

Get rid of stagnant water 

Houseplants with stagnant water can attract pests like aphids, which attract ants. To stop ants, mix dish soap and water, then spray and wipe down the leaves regularly to prevent aphid residue from drawing them in.

Make home repairs

To avoid an ant infestation in your house seal crevices and holes and replace broken window and door screens. It’s a good idea to replace any rotten wood near entry points in the house and avoid stacking firewood near these points.

Maintain your garden

To get rid of ants inside, maintain your yard with regular upkeep. Rake and mow the lawn, and trim bushes, shrubs and trees to prevent worker ants from entering your home. Be sure to clear away layers of debris and overgrown grass to reduce potential entry points.

Clean regularly

To stop ants, keep countertops, floors, cabinets and pantries clean, as dirty or messy areas can attract them. When taking the bins out, make sure the rubbish bin is covered and check for any lingering residue to prevent attracting ants.

Read on to learn about professional-grade products, which you can buy at your local supermarket. 

How to get rid of ants with Mortein

Mortein offers a range of products to get rid of ants. 

Mortein Kill And Protect Ant Sand, for example, is a fast-acting product to get rid of ants outside on contact. It helps get rid of them outside before they manage to get into your home. Apply directly to the nest or around the surfaces they travel.

Mortein PowerGard Easy Reach Surface Spray can be used inside your home, whenever you see ants. Its long nozzle helps reach them in difficult areas such as wall voids, cracks or window sills.

If you have an infestation, you can try Mortein Naturgard Crawling Insect Control Bomb to kill all ants in your room. You just place the can in the centre of the room, release mist, exit the room and ensure all doors and windows are closed in the treated room so the mist does not escape. You can reenter the room after 2 hour and reopen doors/windows to ventilate.

Sources

• Department of Health, Victoria. (Reviewed 07 June 2023). Ants: Pest control. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/environmental-health/ants-pest-control 
• Healthline. (Current Version 10 January 2024). How to kill ants. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-kill-ants