If you’re searching for how to stop ants from coming into your home, prevention is the key. Ants don’t enter houses at random — they are attracted by food, moisture and easy access points.
This guide focuses on practical, DIY steps you can take to block entry routes, remove attractants and discourage ants before an infestation takes hold.
However, with the right approach, you might be able to keep them at bay easily and effectively by yourself.
Drawing from our expert guide, here are ten effective tips you can apply to stop ants from coming into your house.
1. Understand Ant Behaviour
Understanding how ants operate, including their basic behaviour and what attracts them, is crucial. It's the first step if you want a good chance of defeating them yourself. Ants are social creatures living in large colonies of hundreds or thousands. They enter homes primarily in search of food or shelter.
2. Identify and Seal Entry Points
Inspect your home for tiny cracks and openings through which ants can enter. Seal these gaps with silicone caulk or another appropriate sealant to block their entry. To speed up the process, observe where ants are entering and leaving.
Common Ant Entry Points to Check
- Gaps around doors and window frames
- Cracks in brickwork or render
- Air vents and pipe entry points
- Skirting boards and flooring edges
- Utility cupboards and under sinks
3. Keep Your Kitchen Clean
Ants are primarily attracted to food sources. Ensure your kitchen is clean at all times. Remember to wipe up spills immediately. Clean surfaces after use, store food in airtight containers, and never leave dirty dishes out overnight.
4. Manage Your Waste Efficiently
Regularly take out the rubbish and ensure your bins are regularly cleaned and always fully closed. Ants are attracted to leftovers and can easily make their way from the bin into your home.
5. Remove Standing Water
Ants search for water, especially in hot weather and dry conditions. Fix leaky faucets and ensure gutters are clean and draining properly. Eliminate any other sources of standing water around your home.
6. Trim Vegetation around Your Home
Branches and vegetation touching your home can provide ants with an easy route inside. Regularly, keep trees and shrubs trimmed back from your house.
7. Use Natural Deterrents
Natural remedies like vinegar, peppermint oil, or lemon juice can be a great first line of defence to deter ants. Spray these solutions regularly around entry points and the perimeter of your home as a natural repellent.
Natural deterrents work best as a preventative measure rather than a cure. They help disrupt pheromone trails and make areas less attractive, but they won’t eliminate an established nest on their own.
Ultrasonic repellers can also be a helpful extra layer of security for some homes alongside the basics of cleaning and proofing.
8. Employ Ant Baits and Traps Strategically
Ant baits and traps can be effective in controlling ant populations in and around your home. Place them near entry points and in areas where you have seen ant activity, but out of reach of children and pets. You can also consider non-toxic methods, such as pouring boiling water over nests or using sprays or powders.
9. Practice Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance can prevent ants from entering your home. This includes repairing cracks in walls, ceilings, floorboards, skirting boards or foundations. Also, ensure that any window screens are fully intact.
10. Consider Professional Pest Control
If your ant problems persist despite your best efforts, it may be time to call in professional pest control services. They can offer targeted solutions and advice specific to your situation.
Helpful Products to Support Ant Prevention
For fast, effective results, use a combination of bait-based, contact treatments and prevention:
-
Ant bait stations – ideal for killing colonies at the source
- Ant killer sprays – quick knockdown of visible ants
- Ant monitoring traps - sticky traps to monitor and detect presence of ants
- Sealants and fillers – block access permanently
👉 View our full range of DIY ant control products to choose the right solution for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stopping Ants
Why do ants keep coming into my house?
Ants are usually attracted by food, water or easy access points. Even small crumbs or moisture can trigger repeated activity.
Will sealing cracks stop ants completely?
Sealing entry points is essential, but it works best alongside cleaning and trail disruption.
Do ants return after being blocked?
If the nest remains active nearby, ants may search for new routes. Monitoring and ongoing prevention are important.
Final Word
By following these 10 tips, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of ants making their way into your home. Keeping your space clean, minimising attractants and proactive maintenance can make the difference.
We go to great lengths to ensure that all our DIY ant control products are effective, fast & easy-to-use. You may also find our expert guide useful if you want to learn more about getting rid of ants from your home or workplace.
