If you have ants in your kitchen, killing every insect in sight wont solve the problem.
Theres likely an ant colony nearby where ants are traveling back and forth with morsels of food.
Learn how to get rid of ants with a few simple solutions.
The Spruce / Jake Shi
What Kind of Ants Are Found in the Kitchen?
Clean Thoroughly
Ants are attracted to sugar and greasy food.
The most effective way to get rid of ants in the kitchen is by keeping your space clean.
Muhammad Owais Khan/ Getty Images
Store Food Properly
Place food in sealed containers to keep it safe from ants.
Remove Moisture Sources
Ants are also attracted to water.
Fix any leaky faucets or old plumbing fixtures to prevent ants from flocking to your water source.
Keep areas dry and clean up water spills on counters and floors as soon as possible.
Avoid any standing water, including houseplants and pet water bowls, in your kitchen.
Use Natural Repellents
Ants rely on scents to find food and follow trails created by the colony.
The only effective wayto kill antsand fix the infestation is to target the queen.
Choose solutions that ants will bring back to their colony and poison the nest.
What Attracts Ants in the Kitchen?
Ants are attracted to food and water.
Look for ants walking in a trail and follow them to see where theyre going.
If you still see ants after a couple of weeks, call a professional to look into the problem.
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