Advice
Ants in the Kitchen: Causes and What Helps
Ants in the kitchen are usually following food and warmth, and a few careful habits can reduce them, though a persistent trail often needs professional treatment.
Read the guide →Most ants are a nuisance rather than a danger, but they can contaminate food and are hard to remove by wiping alone. The aim is to find where they come from and deal with the nest, not just the ants you can see.
Recognising an ant problem
The usual sign is a steady trail of ants moving between a hidden entry point and food. Black garden ants are the most frequent, and they love sugary foods, pet food and crumbs. You may notice small piles of soil between paving slabs, ants emerging from gaps by a door or under a patio, or tiny gaps in wall edges. Check outside too, as nests are often just beyond the wall.
In summer, large numbers of winged ants may appear on a warm, still day as new queens and males leave the nest. This is called flying ant day, and it usually lasts only a short while. A few ants indoors in spring can turn into a daily problem if their food source is not removed. Spotting the trail early makes treatment simpler.
What our ant control visit involves
Our technician looks for the trail, follows it back to the entry point and tries to locate the nest, which may sit under paving, in a lawn or inside a wall cavity. We explain what we find and agree the price before any work starts. Treatment is targeted at the trail and nest so the whole colony is affected. Whether the nest is in the garden or a wall, our aim is a lasting result.
Ants that take treated bait back to the nest can carry it to the queen and the rest of the colony, which is why it can take a few days to see the full effect. Do not wipe away the trail straight after treatment, because that can slow the process. We tell you what to expect and when to call us again. We are happy to answer questions on pets and children before we start.
Keeping ants out for good
Prevention is mostly about removing what draws ants in. Wipe worktops, sweep crumbs, seal sugar, cereals and pet food in tight containers, and take rubbish out regularly. Rinse jam jars and drink bottles before putting them in recycling, and do not leave dirty plates overnight. Trim plants that touch the walls, as ants use them as bridges.
Sealing the routes ants use also helps. Gaps around pipes, door frames, cracked pointing and air bricks are common ways in, particularly in older Devon houses and cottages. Cafes, guest houses and holiday lets see more pressure in the warmer months, when ants are most active. Regular checks and good food storage keep problems small and easy to deal with. A few simple habits go a long way over the summer.
Frequently asked questions
Why do ants keep coming back after I wipe them away?
Wiping removes the ants you can see but not the nest, which keeps sending out workers. New ants follow the same scent trail to the same food. Dealing with the nest and removing their food source is the lasting fix, and that is what our treatment targets. We are happy to explain more when you get in touch.
Are ants in the house dangerous?
Most ants found in homes are harmless to health, but they can walk over food and bins and contaminate surfaces. Some species bite or sting, though this is less common. If you are worried about the type you have, send us a photograph and we can identify it. We are happy to explain more when you get in touch.
What are flying ants?
Flying ants are winged queens and males leaving the nest to mate, usually on a warm, humid day in summer. They appear in large numbers and then disperse within days. They show that a nest is nearby, so it is worth checking where they came from. We are happy to explain more when you get in touch.
Do you treat ants in commercial premises?
Yes. We work with cafes, shops, guest houses and other businesses across Devon. Food areas need careful handling, so we explain every step, keep records of the visit and agree the price before we begin, then advise on storage and cleaning routines. We are happy to explain more when you get in touch.