Ants certainly have their uses. They help aerate your soil, work to rig your garden of fallen leaves, and allow vital water and nutrients to reach plant roots. However, it isn’t what you want inside your home. Ants can be a persistent problem, and they can appear suddenly to make themselves unwelcome guests. 

Understanding what attracts ants, when they are most likely to invade, and how to effectively keep them out can help you maintain a pest-free environment. Here’s all the key information that you need to know, including some vital ant control solutions, to keep your home or business ant-free.

So What Attracts Ants?

What attracts ants is primarily their need to find food and water to sustain their colonies. They are particularly drawn to food sources rich in sugar, fat, and protein, which provide the necessary energy for their activities. This is why you’ll often find ants in your house, especially in the kitchen, where they can detect even the smallest crumbs or spills. Foods like sugary snacks, fruit, greasy leftovers, and pet food are all prime targets for ants.

In addition to food, ants are also drawn to moisture. They require water to survive, and during dry periods, they’ll actively seek out water sources. This can lead them to areas of your home where water is readily available; think places such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, for example. Even a small leak under the sink or a wet dish towel left out can attract ants. If you’re wondering, “Why do I have ants in my house?”, the answer is often related to the availability of food and water.

Ants are also looking for a safe and stable environment to build their nests. While some ants prefer to nest outside, others, like carpenter ants, will like nothing more than to establish their colonies inside any damp or decaying wood that they may find in your home.

What Time of Year Will You Get Ants in Your House?

Ants are most active during the warmer months, particularly in spring and summer when their colonies are in full swing. During these seasons, ants are busy foraging for food and expanding their nests, which increases the likelihood of them invading your home. However, ants can be a year-round problem depending on the climate and species.

As temperatures begin to rise in spring, ants emerge from their dormant state and start searching for food to support their growing colonies. This is often when you’ll first notice ants in the house. Summer months bring increased activity, with ants becoming more aggressive in their search for food and water.

Heavy rain can also drive ants indoors. When the ground becomes saturated, ants seek higher ground to avoid flooding, which often leads them into homes. On the other hand, ants may invade your home in search of moisture during times of dryness, making sinks, bathtubs, and even houseplants attractive targets. If you’re trying to figure out how to stop ants from coming into the house, a great place to start is to understand their seasonal patterns.

How to Stop Ants From Coming into the House?

Keep Your Food in Sealed Containers

Since ants are constantly searching for food, it’s important to store all food items—especially sweet and sugary ones—in airtight containers. This simple step is a great way to significantly reduce the likelihood of ants finding a food source in your home.

Eliminate Sources of Moisture

Ants need water to survive, so eliminating excess moisture in your home is crucial. Fix leaky faucets, dry up any standing water, and ensure that your kitchen and bathroom areas are kept dry. Dehumidifiers can also help reduce overall moisture levels in your home.

Block Entry Points

Ants can enter your home through the tiniest cracks and gaps. Inspect your home for potential entry points such as gaps around windows, doors, and utility pipes, and seal them with caulk or weather stripping. By blocking these entry points, you can prevent ants from finding their way inside, which is key to understanding how to stop ants from coming into the house.

Call on Professional Services

If you’re dealing with a persistent ant problem or a large infestation, it’s definitely time to call in the professionals. Expert advice can identify the specific type of ant you’re dealing with, locate the nest, and provide the most effective treatments to get rid of the problem at the source. 

Rid Your Property of Ants Today

Taking these steps can help you keep ants out of your home and maintain a clean, pest-free environment. If you need further assistance, E1 Pest Solutions offers comprehensive pest management in Sydney and the surrounding suburbs. Running a business? Browse our pest control commercial services to rid your workplace of rodents and pests. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you keep your home ant-free.

If you want to learn more about the types of ants, click here.

E1 Pest Solutions offers comprehensive pest management in Sydney and the surrounding suburbs. Running a business? Browse our commercial pest control services to rid your workplace of rodents and pests.