As the weather warms and spring blooms into life, many of us look forward to spending more time outdoors and letting fresh air flow through our homes.
Unfortunately, it’s also the time when ants make an unwelcome return, marching in lines across kitchen counters and invading picnic blankets with relentless determination.
But don’t let these tiny intruders ruin your spring – with a few proactive steps, you can stop ants in their tracks and enjoy the season in peace.
1. Understand What Attracts Them
Ants are on a constant hunt for food and water. Even the smallest crumb, a sticky jar lid, or a few drops of juice on the floor can attract a trail of them into your home.
During spring, they’re particularly active as they search for new sources to support their growing colonies.
That’s why keeping your home, especially your kitchen and dining areas, scrupulously clean is the first line of defence.
Wipe down surfaces regularly, sweep floors, and make sure food is stored in sealed containers.
Pet bowls, bins, and compost caddies can also be hotspots, so don’t forget to clean these areas thoroughly.
2. Seal the Entry Points
Ants can slip through the tiniest cracks and crevices, especially around doors, windows, skirting boards, and pipework.
Spend a little time inspecting your home for possible entry points.
Use silicone sealant or weather stripping to block these gaps and deter ants from getting inside.
Installing door sweeps and keeping window screens in good repair can also help stop them from gaining access, especially if you enjoy keeping windows open during spring.
3. Disrupt Their Trails
Ants leave behind a scent trail – a kind of chemical breadcrumb path that other ants follow to the food source. If you spot a trail, don’t just squash the ants and call it a day.
Instead, wipe down the area with a solution of vinegar and water or a citrus-based cleaner, both of which help remove the pheromone trail and discourage others from following.
4. Use Natural Deterrents
If you’d prefer to avoid harsh chemicals, there are plenty of natural ant deterrents that are safe to use around pets and children. Peppermint oil, lemon juice, cinnamon, and coffee grounds can all work effectively. Sprinkle them around doorways, windowsills, and known entry points to keep ants at bay.
For a more hands-on approach, mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle and mist along baseboards and other common ant pathways.
5. Set Traps or Call in the Experts
If the infestation has taken hold, consider setting bait traps that ants carry back to their nests.
These can be found in most DIY or garden shops and are often more effective than sprays, which only kill ants on contact.
For persistent problems, it may be time to call in a professional pest control service.
They’ll be able to identify the type of ant and provide targeted treatment that stops the colony at its source.
Enjoy an Ant-Free Spring
By staying vigilant, maintaining cleanliness, and using a few clever deterrents, you can stop ants from turning your spring into a battle zone.
A bit of prevention goes a long way – and with the ants kept outside where they belong, you’re free to enjoy the sunshine, blossom, and fresh spring air without interruption.
