10 Ways to Prevent Ants from Taking Over Your Kitchen

The ant is one of Australia's most prevalent pests. Once they locate a food source, they can reproduce fast and infest your kitchen, pantry, or dining room. The kinds of ants you will come across are sugar ants, ghost ants, fire ants, pharaoh ants and black garden ants. Not only do the creatures infest food with their filth, but they can also be a nuisance if left unchecked. Happily, there is more than one way to thwart ants from making themselves at home in your home.

1. Store Food Properly

Good food storage is the first step in the prevention of ants. Portion out canned pet food, dry cereals, sugar, chocolate powder and other staples into airtight containers. Keep fruits and vegetables that must be refrigerated in the refrigerator.

2. Keep Your Kitchen Clean

A clean kitchen keeps the ants away from nesting. Do the dishes as soon as possible, wipe down countertops and sweep or vacuum floors often. Clean out the appliances, including the refrigerator, oven and microwave. Dispose of trash daily, and clean containers with disinfectant. The less food and clutter you have, the less reason ants will find it necessary to come inside.

3. Use Natural Deterring Scents

Some fragrances can keep ants away quite well. Peppermint oil, lemon and cinnamon deter ants from tracking scent trails. Spray diluted oils around countertops, sinks and entryways to keep ants at bay without harsh chemicals.

4. Seal Entry Points

On walls or coming through windows and doors, Ants may enter via cracks and holes in a wall. Search your kitchen for small openings and seal them with caulk or weather-stripping. Replace broken windows and door screens, and the rotten wood that allows ant entry inside.

5. Sprinkle Pepper or Salt

You can use pepper, salt or vinegar for this purpose. Sprinkle rock salt near nests, or dissolve it in boiling water to spray ant trails. A paste of bran, sugar, salt and water can be made, adding the attraction for ants in the nest.

6. Use Borax

One of the best ant killers is borax. Combine 1 part sugar, 1 part borax and 2 parts water, soak cotton balls in solution and set them out along ant trails. The ants take the solution back to the colony where it infects other ants and eggs helping to kill off the colony over time.

7. Maintain Your Yard and Landscaping

The ants often come into homes from lawns and gardens nearby. Maintain trimmed lawn, prune branches away from the house and remove dense plantings near the residence. Spraying neem oil on plants and using natural repellents can also work to prevent ants from getting close to your kitchen.

8. Clean Cupboards and Cabinets

Ants use scent trails to find their way around. Wipe down and clean cabinets with soapy water to get rid of these trails. Keeping cupboards free from crumbs and food remnants can discourage ants from making nests indoors.

9. Use Ant Baits, Traps, or Sprays

Ant baits and traps can be very useful for managing infestations. Scatter them on ant trails, at entry points or in cupboards. The poison infects other ants as it spreads to the colony, steadily decreasing their population.

10. Hire Professional Pest Control

Severe infestations require professional help. A pest control company can identify ant species, treat infestations safely, and prevent future problems. For residents in Morley, J&D Termite Treatment Morley provides expert pest control services for ants, termites, spiders, cockroaches, and more. Contact at (08) 6275 6552 or visit J&D Termite Treatment for professional assistance.