A crack in a wall sealed with foam, an important part of ant prevention for your home

An Easy-To-Follow Ant Prevention Plan

You can keep ants out of your home forever, but it takes the right techniques and a bit of persistence. This beginners guide will help you get started, just remember to keep in mind that every situation is different. What deters ants in one household might not work in another. That’s why it’s important to understand what kind of ants you’re seeing and what’s likely luring them indoors. With this knowledge, you can choose a better strategy and decide if you would benefit from professional pest control.

Where do Ants Prefer to Live?

Ants are drawn to places where food or moisture is easy to access. Even when they appear in odd sections of the house, they’re likely scouting for their colony’s next food or water source. Here are some of their favorite rooms:

Bathrooms near toilets, sinks and tubs
Traveling through air vents
At the edges of the ceiling, floor boards and baseboards
Kitchens
Dining Rooms
Window and door frames

Steps to Keep Ants Outside

Once ants settle in, getting them out isn’t easy. That’s why prevention is your best option. Here’s how to reduce your chances of an ant invasion:

Keep Things Neat and Clean

A tidy home is far less appealing to ants. When there’s nothing to scavenge, they’ll look elsewhere. Focus on food storage areas and places with frequent spills.

Don’t let crumbs and spills linger. Keep your kitchen clean throughout the day.
Sweep and wipe down surfaces often to remove food residue.
Soapy water helps break up ant pheromone trails, wipe with it regularly to disrupt their paths.
Store any unpackaged food in containers with tight seals.
Ripe fruit should be kept in the refrigerator to reduce the chance of drawing ants indoors.
Use trash cans with secure lids and don’t let garbage build up.
Remove pet food and water once your pets are done. Leftovers can become an ant magnet.

Close Up Possible Entry Points

Tiny openings easily become the perfect highways for ants. Sealing them can make a big difference.

Make a habit of examining your home’s exterior for potential ant entry points, like cracks or tiny holes. Seal them to prevent access.
Don’t forget to look at your doors and windows, if there’s any signs of separation, weatherstripping can help close the gap.
Screens on windows and doors provide an extra layer of defense against ants.

Maintain Your Outdoor Spaces

Your yard can influence whether ants find your home inviting. Good landscaping habits reduce the chances of an infestation.

Keep plants trimmed so ants can’t use branches or nearby shrubs as entry routes.
Clean up fallen debris and compost it to eliminate potential nesting zones.
Ensure the yard stays dry by fixing drainage issues and removing any standing water.
Swap out natural mulch for rock-based alternatives near the home’s foundation.
Position firewood stacks away from the house. This step also helps minimize the risk of a termite problem.

Limit Moisture Indoors

Ants seek out damp environments, especially during drier months. Reduce moisture inside your home wherever you can.

Address plumbing leaks promptly and keep an eye under sinks for wet spots. Unexplained moisture might signal a hidden issue.
Use a dehumidifier to help control moisture in areas that stay damp, such as basements.
Confirm that gutters and downspouts are working and directing water away from your home’s foundation.

Should You Try Natural Ant Deterrents?

Natural options might help prevent ants from entering, but they usually aren’t enough for active infestations. If you’re seeing more ants than usual, professional ant services are your best bet. But, if you’re currently focused on prevention, let’s take a look at which natural solutions should be part of your strategy.

Essential Oils

Scents like peppermint, citrus, and tea tree oil can make your home less inviting to ants. Mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle, then spray it around doors, windows, and any areas where ants have been seen.

Vinegar

Ants rely on scent trails to navigate, and vinegar can throw them off course. Blend equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, then apply it to problem spots, so you can disrupt their patterns.

Diatomaceous Earth

This powdery substance is made from ancient aquatic fossils and works by drying out ants when they walk through it. Use food-grade diatomaceous earth and spread it around areas like floor edges, cracks, and patios. If it doesn’t stop the ants, it may be time to bring in a professional.

Coffee Grounds

Used coffee grounds might help repel ants when sprinkled near doors, windows, and garden borders. Just be aware that it can look messy, which is why some people turn to expert pest control instead.

Can Pest Control Professionals Really Help With Ants?

Absolutely. In addition to eliminating ants that are already inside, pest experts can apply preventative treatments designed to stop future invasions. They use targeted strategies to protect your home long after the current problem is gone.

Reach out to Arrow Exterminating today for a free quote.

Do Perimeter Treatments Actually Work Against Ants?

Yes, they do. Pest control teams often apply perimeter solutions customized for your home. These include barriers like liquid sprays, bait placements, and repellents around your foundation and known entry spots. The result? Active ants are eliminated, and future ones are kept at bay.

Are Routine Inspections Worth It?

Of course. Ongoing inspections help identify the early signs of an ant issue, like moisture buildup, entry points, or landscaping concerns. These can be done yourself, or if you’d rather skip the guesswork, our team can provide regular inspections and quick treatments as needed.

Schedule an Ant Control Visit Today

Whether ants are a current problem or a concern for the future, Arrow Exterminating can help. We tailor our prevention and control plans to the species and layout of your home.

Ant Prevention FAQs

What is the best ant repellent?

Natural options like peppermint or tea tree oil might deter ants for a while, but if you want to fully eliminate a colony and stop future activity, professional pest control offers the most reliable solution.

What is the best prevention for ants?

Preventing ants starts with consistency. Keep surfaces clean, store food in sealed containers, address any moisture issues, and patch up small cracks or gaps around your home. For stronger, long-term results, add regular pest control treatments to your routine.

What can I put down to keep ants away?

Common DIY deterrents include vinegar, borax, diatomaceous earth, and essential oils. These may work for a short time, especially in low-risk areas, but professional treatments offer a more dependable way to deal with persistent or large-scale infestations.

How do farmers keep ants away?

Farmers typically use natural predators, proper field maintenance, and outdoor barriers to manage ant activity. However, when those methods fall short, pest control professionals step in to provide long-term, consistent protection for crops and soil.

How do you make ants go away permanently?

To make ants disappear long-term, you’ll need to remove their access to food and water, block their common entryways, and disrupt their nesting habits. For ongoing success, partnering with a pest control service is often the most reliable approach.

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