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 →We deal with ant problems in houses, flats, student lets and commercial premises across the city, finding where the trail leads and treating the nest itself rather than only the ants you can see.
How we track ants down in a busy city
Exeter has a lot of different buildings close together: terraced streets, converted flats, newer estates and a busy centre full of cafes and shops. Ants do not care which you live in. They follow scent trails to sugar, fat and crumbs, and they get in through the smallest gaps around pipes, door frames and airbricks.
On a visit we watch which way the ants are travelling and follow the line back, often to a nest under a patio slab, in a lawn edge or inside a wall cavity. Once we know where it is, we can treat it directly, which works far better than spraying skirting boards and hoping.
Flying ant days and what they mean
On a warm, muggy day in summer, winged ants may pour out of paving or a wall at the same time. That is a sign of a mature nest nearby, and in Exeter it often catches people out because the swarm seems to come from nowhere. A few flying ants indoors can be hoovered up, but the nest underneath will still be there.
If you are seeing repeated swarms around your doors or windows, or ants trailing indoors week after week, it is worth having the nest located and treated. We can also point out the entry points we find, so you know what to seal or repair afterwards.
Keeping ants out once we have treated
Simple habits make a real difference. Wipe sweet spills straight away, keep sugar, honey and cereals in sealed containers, and do not leave pet food down overnight. Wash up before bed, and empty indoor bins often. We also suggest filling cracks around pipework and pointing gaps in outside walls. We cover Exeter and EX1 to EX4, and we also cover Topsham and Crediton if you are just outside the city.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I get ants in my Exeter kitchen every summer?
Usually it is the same nest returning to a reliable food source. Warm weather makes ants more active, and any crumbs or sweet residue draw them in. Treating the nest and sealing the entry point, rather than just wiping trails, is what stops the yearly repeat.
Are ants in a student let the landlord's problem or the tenant's?
It depends on the tenancy agreement, so check that first. Practically, shared kitchens with crumbs and open food make ants more likely. We can treat the property and explain what tenants can do day to day to stop them coming back.
Will ant treatment affect my pets or children?
We use targeted treatments placed where ants travel and nest, and we explain which areas to keep pets and children away from and for how long. Tell us about animals in the home when you call and we will plan around them.