By Philip Simpson, Supervisor at Shield Pest Control
As the weather starts to warm and we move into the summer months, one of the most common calls we receive at Shield Pest Control is about ants inside the home. For many households, it begins with spotting a single ant on a kitchen work surface, and before long, that one ant turns into a steady stream marching across floors, window frames and hard surfaces.
So, why do ants come in the house, and how can you stop ants before a small inconvenience becomes a full ant infestation?
Why ants are suddenly appearing in your home
Ants are incredibly resourceful insects. The vast majority of species we encounter in UK homes are constantly searching for a reliable food source. During warmer months, worker ants leave their nest in search of food and water, and your home can provide both in abundance.
It only takes one ant to find something appealing. Once it does, it lays down a scent trail, also known as ant pheromone trails, which guides other ants directly to the source. This is why you’ll often see ants congregate in lines, forming what are known as ant trails.
Common things that attract ants include:
- Food crumbs left on kitchen surfaces
- Unsealed food or sugary substances
- Pet food and pet food bowls left out
- Standing water or damp areas
- Overflowing bins or food waste
Even something as small as a drop of sugar water or a few crumbs can trigger an ant invasion. Once a reliable source is found, ants will return repeatedly, and the problem can escalate quickly as more ants follow the pheromone trails.
How ants are getting inside
Ants are tiny, and they don’t need much space to gain entry. Entry points can include:
- Cracks in walls or floors
- Gaps around window frames and doors
- Openings around pipes
- Poorly sealed vents or brickwork
Once inside, ants found in your home are usually just the visible part of a much larger problem. Behind the scenes, there is often an entire colony working together, and in some cases, multiple ant colonies may be linked.
Why DIY methods often fall short
When faced with ants in my house, many homeowners turn to natural remedies or shop-bought ant traps. While these can sometimes reduce visible activity, they are often only a temporary solution.
Common DIY approaches include:
- Pouring boiling water into visible nests
- Using natural deterrents like peppermint oil, tea tree oil or lemon juice
- Sprinkling coffee grounds or diatomaceous earth
- Placing cotton balls soaked in essential oils
- Using boric acid or sugar-based ant bait
While these natural methods can help to deter ants or kill ants on contact, they rarely address the root of the issue. The biggest challenge is that most DIY solutions do not eliminate the entire colony. You may remove a number of worker ants, but the nest and queen remain active.
In fact, disturbing ant pheromone trails without eliminating the colony can sometimes cause the ants to split into multiple groups, leading to further ant problems.
The importance of tackling the whole colony
To truly get rid of ants, you need to target the entire colony, not just the ants you can see. This is where professional pest control becomes essential.
At Shield Pest Control, we take a strategic approach. Rather than simply treating surface-level activity, we identify:
- The species of ant involved
- The location of the nest
- The extent of the infestation
- The key food source attracting them
From there, we use specialised insecticides and ant bait systems designed to be taken back to the nest by worker ants. This ensures the treatment reaches the whole colony, including the queen, delivering a more permanent solution.
How to stop ants coming into your home
Prevention is always better than cure, and there are several effective tips homeowners can follow to deter ants and prevent future infestations.
Keep your kitchen spotless
Regularly wipe surfaces, promptly clean spills, and ensure food crumbs are removed. Ants are highly sensitive to even the smallest traces of food.
Store food properly
Keep food in sealed containers, particularly sugary items. Avoid leaving pet food out for extended periods.
Seal entry points
Check your home for cracks, gaps and openings. Seal cracks around window frames, doors and pipes to reduce access points.
Remove standing water
Fix leaks and avoid areas of excess moisture, as ants are also attracted to water sources.
Clean pheromone trails
Use a strong cleaning solution or glass cleaner to disrupt scent trails. This helps prevent other ants from following the same path.
Be cautious with natural remedies
While options like peppermint oil, tea tree or lemon juice can help with repelling ants, they should be seen as part of a broader strategy, not a standalone solution.
When to call in professional pest control
If you’re dealing with recurring ants inside, or if the problem persists for more than about a week despite your efforts, it’s time to seek expert help.
A professional service ensures:
- Accurate identification of the ant species
- Safe and effective treatment methods
- Elimination of the entire colony
- Reduced risk of future infestations
At Shield Pest Control, we pride ourselves on delivering fast, economical and long-lasting solutions. Our environmentally responsible approach ensures treatments are both effective and safe for your home.
Shield Pest Control’s approach to insect control
Ants are just one part of a wider insect control challenge that many homes and businesses face. Shield Pest Control offers an innovative range of solutions for dealing with all types of insect infestations.
Our proven capabilities include:
- Insect screening to prevent entry
- Specialised insecticides tailored to each situation
- Advanced ant bait systems targeting entire colonies
- Flying insect analysis and control
- A wide range of electronic and glue board fly control methods
- UV fly control systems designed to increase catch rates at ultra-low voltage
Every solution we recommend is based on a detailed understanding of the problem, ensuring we don’t just treat symptoms but resolve the issue at its source.
