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 →Whether it is a few ants on the worktop or a nest under the floor, we start by finding out where they come from.
Cottages, stone walls and ant routes
Older cottages have a lot of character, and a lot of small gaps too. Thick walls with soft pointing, old window frames, flagstone floors and cracks where pipes come through all give ants a way indoors. Black garden ants will happily nest in a wall cavity or beneath a stone floor, where the warmth of the building keeps them active.
Outside, they favour dry soil at the base of walls, under steps and in the joints of old paths. In Sidbury, treating the visible trail without looking at these spots is a common reason ants return, so we look all the way round the property.
Living with countryside around you
Sidbury is surrounded by fields, hedgerows and gardens, so ants have plenty of places to nest and plenty of reason to wander. In summer, a hot dry spell can send them hunting for water as well as food, which is why you may see them near sinks, bathrooms and pet water bowls.
It is also worth knowing that a big flight of winged ants on a warm day is normal and usually passes quickly. If they are coming out indoors, though, that points to a nest close to or inside the building, and it is worth having it looked at.
What a visit in Sidbury involves
We ask about what you have seen, then check inside and around the outside of the property for trails and nests. Treatment is targeted and we explain what we have used and what to expect over the following days. We also cover Sidford and Sidmouth, both close by, so rural addresses across EX10 are not a problem. Afterwards we suggest practical steps such as sealing gaps and keeping food stored away.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there ants in my Sidbury cottage when it is spotless?
Ants do not need mess, only a way in and a tiny food source. Thick old walls, gaps round pipes and warm kitchens suit them well. The nest is usually outside or in the wall, so cleaning alone rarely ends the problem.
Do you treat ants on farms and outbuildings around Sidbury?
Yes, we can look at outbuildings, yards and farm kitchens as well as homes. The aim is the same: find the nest, treat it carefully and tidy up the things that attract ants. Tell us what the building is used for when you get in touch.
Are the ants coming out of my wall a sign of damage?
Usually not structural damage. Black garden ants use existing gaps and soft pointing rather than eating the building. Ants in a wall do mean there is a nest close by, so it is worth treating, and we can point out any gaps worth repairing.