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 find where the ants are nesting, treat the colony directly and help you close the gaps and clear the food sources that keep drawing them in.
Seafront flats and older homes
Homes near the seafront and in the older parts of Teignmouth often have salt-worn pointing, window frames that have shifted and small gaps round pipes. Ants can slip through these with no trouble. Flats with shared walls and communal bin areas can also have trails passing from one property to the next.
We trace the trail, check likely entry points and look for nests in outside soil, planters, wall bases and under paving. We explain what we find as we go, including what is your responsibility and what might need a word with a neighbour or managing agent.
Harbour businesses and holiday accommodation
With a working harbour, a seafront and plenty of holiday accommodation, Teignmouth has cafes, takeaways, guest kitchens and stores where food and sweet drinks are always around. Ants do not need much: a small spill under a fridge or a lidless bin is enough to keep a trail going.
We treat discreetly and plan around your opening times or guest changeovers where possible. After the treatment, we talk through storage, cleaning routines and bin handling, because treating the nest without changing the food sources can leave you with the same problem later in the season.
Keeping on top of it
Check for ants regularly through spring and summer, as early signs are easier to deal with. Wipe sticky surfaces, seal sweet food and keep pet bowls clean. If you notice a trail, resist spraying it and ring us instead. We cover Teignmouth and TQ14, and we also cover Shaldon and Dawlish, just along the coast.
Frequently asked questions
Do ants come in from the seafront in Teignmouth?
Ants nest wherever there is soil, paving or a sheltered gap, including near the sea. The seafront itself is not the cause. It is more often food and warmth that bring them into a building.
Can I treat ants myself with shop-bought products?
You can try, but sprays on a visible trail often scatter the ants and leave the nest alone. If the problem returns, we can find the nest and treat it properly. Ask us if you are unsure what you have already used.
What should a harbour cafe do about ants in the stockroom?
Keep sweet stock in sealed tubs off the floor, clean spills quickly and check bin lids. We can inspect, treat the nest and advise on layout and cleaning so the stockroom is less attractive to ants.