Why Am I Suddenly Seeing Ants in My House?

Ants usually come inside because they've found something useful: food, moisture, shelter, or a route worth exploring. A sudden trail doesn't mean your home is dirty. It does mean the ants have found a reason to keep coming back.

Follow the trail

Instead of immediately wiping out every ant, watch where they travel and where they disappear. Check window frames, doors, baseboards, plumbing openings, cabinet gaps, cracks, and exterior walls. Finding the route is more useful than killing the ants you can see.

Remove the attraction

Clean crumbs and spills, store food securely, don't leave pet food sitting out longer than necessary, and check for moisture under sinks and around plumbing.

Why do they keep coming back?

The visible ants may be a small fraction of the colony. If the food source, moisture source, or access route remains, activity can return.

Should I seal the opening?

Sealing entry points is generally useful, but understand what you're dealing with first. Ants may have more than one route.

What about ant spray?

Use pesticide products only according to their labels. Spraying the ants you can see doesn't necessarily address the colony or the reason they're entering.

When should I get help?

Consider professional pest control if:

• Ant activity is widespread.
• Trails keep returning.
• You can't identify the species.
• Ants appear to be nesting inside the structure.
• Moisture or structural damage may be involved.

Persistent ant problem? Find Local Pest Control Help