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 treat ants for householders, landlords and small businesses in Ottery St Mary and the villages around.
Old centre, new estates, same ants
In an older building, ants tend to come through worn pointing, gaps in floors and the tiny spaces round pipes. In a newer estate home, the likely route is a threshold, an airbrick or a patio laid right up to the wall. Black garden ants nest in the soil beneath paving, which is common on both kinds of property.
In Ottery St Mary, the street you live on matters less than the way the building meets the ground. We start by walking round the outside, looking at paving edges, lawns and wall bases, and then check where the ants are showing indoors.
Ants near the River Otter and farmland
Ottery St Mary sits on the River Otter with fields on its edges, so gardens often back onto open ground. That gives ants room to nest, and warm weather sends colonies into a busy phase. Flying ants appear on humid summer days and can be alarming if they emerge indoors, though they are the winged form of the usual garden ant.
If a nest is in a shared wall, a flat roof edge or a landlord-owned garden, let us know the layout. We can explain what can be treated, and what might need agreement with a neighbour or managing agent.
How we treat ants in Ottery St Mary
The visit begins with a look at the trail and a few questions about when the ants appear. We then treat the nest and the main routes in a targeted way, seal entry points we can safely deal with and explain what to expect. Nearby Sidford and Whimple are within our area too, so EX11 addresses on the edge of town are fine. We will say honestly if a follow-up visit makes sense.
Frequently asked questions
How long before the ants disappear after treatment?
You may see more activity for a short time as ants move about, then numbers should fall away over several days. Heavy infestations can take longer and may need a second visit. We explain what to expect and what to leave alone so the treatment can work.
Can ants be a problem in a rented home in Ottery St Mary?
Yes, and tenants and landlords often ask who should arrange it. We can treat either way. If the cause is a gap or a nest in shared ground, it helps to tell the landlord or agent so repairs can be considered.
Why do ants keep coming back to the same spot?
A trail that has been used before is easy for ants to follow again, and a surviving nest keeps sending workers. Washing the area helps remove the scent, but the nest needs treating, and the entry gap is worth sealing.