Finding a trail of ants marching across your kitchen worktop is a familiar frustration in many homes. Warm rooms, easy crumbs, and tiny gaps around windows or pipes give ants everything they need to settle in.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of ants in house quickly and permanently, the good news is that most fixes are simple. By cutting off what attracts them and blocking where they slip in, you can usually stop an infestation before it grows.
Eliminate Food Sources
Ants come indoors because they’ve discovered a convenient food source. Crumbs, sticky spills, or pet bowls left overnight can all keep them coming back. A bit of focused cleaning, paired with good sealing around the kitchen, can stop their trails before they spread.
Focus on the kitchen first
Start where ants get the biggest reward.
- Wipe worktops, cupboard doors, and table surfaces after you cook or eat.
- Sweep or hoover crumbs from floors, especially around the cooker and dining table.
- Rinse sticky jars (jam, honey, syrup) so there’s no residue on the outside.
Removing crumbs also breaks scent trails that ants follow. A quick wipe with warm, soapy water works well.
Store food so ants can’t reach it
Open packets are an easy target. To prevent ants invading home:
- Move sugar, cereal, flour, pet treats, and snacks into airtight tubs or jars.
- Keep fruit in the fridge if you’re dealing with active trails, rather than out in a bowl.
- Don’t leave bread, cakes, or leftovers uncovered on the worktop.
Simple storage changes often stop repeat visits.
Don’t forget pet foodand water
Pet bowls are a common hotspot.
- Serve food at set times and lift bowls when your pet has finished.
- Wipe under and around bowls to clear drips and crumbs.
- If ants keep targeting one corner, clean it thoroughly and move the feeding area for a while.
Manage bins and recycling
Food waste in bins can support a steady stream of ants into your home.
- Use kitchen bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Empty them regularly, especially in warm weather.
- Rinse recycling that’s had food or drink in it before it goes in the box or bag.
- Wipe the floor and skirting around bins, where crumbs often collect.
Make floor cleaning less of a chore with robot vacuums
Ants only need a few crumbs to keep visiting. But sweeping or hoovering after every snack isn’t always practical, especially in a busy home with kids or pets.
A robot vacuum can step in here, quietly picking up daily crumbs, pet hair, and dry spills before ants get to them. Many models can mop wet messes as well, keeping floors fresh with almost no effort from you.
Below are a few reliable eufy options that suit different homes and routines:
eufy E28 Robot Vacuum & Mop with Portable Deep Cleaner
The eufy E28 is a 3-in-1 system: a robot vacuum, a mop, and a Portable Deep Cleaner built into the dock. The robot handles everyday crumbs and dust, while the detachable deep cleaner tackles spills, sticky messes, and fabric stains, the kinds of residues ants are quick to track down.
- 20,000 Pa suction in robot mode gives you a deep clean on both hard floors and carpets, so dry food pieces, pet biscuits, and grit are lifted in a single pass rather than left for ants to find.
- Its HydroJet™ mop presses onto the floor with about 1.5 kg of force and spins at high speed, helping it remove dried patches under tables or by the bin.
- What makes the E28 unique is the Portable Deep Cleaner. You lift it from the dock when you need to deal with drink spills, sticky patches, sofa stains, or mud on carpeted steps. It sprays cleaning solution, scrubs with pressure, and sucks up the dirty water into a separate tank.
- The dock handles the jobs most people don’t want to do: it empties the dustbin, washes and warm-dries the mop pads, and manages a 5L water tank and 3L dust bag that can last weeks.
eufy X10 Pro Omni
The eufy X10 Pro Omni aims for strong daily cleaning with very little effort on your part.
- 8,000 Pa suction lifts everyday crumbs and dirt from both carpets and hard floors.
- MopMaster 2.0 uses dual rotating pads with about 1 kg of pressure to scrub away dried drink rings and sticky spots.
- The pads lift by about 12 mm on carpets, so you can vacuum and mop in one run.
- See obstacle avoidance and iPath laser mapping help the robot reach under tables and around clutter.
- The all-in-one dock empties the bin, washes and dries mop pads, and manages its 5L dust bag and 3L clean water tank.
If you want clean floors without thinking about it, this model suits that rhythm.
eufy Robot Vacuum E20
The eufy Robot Vacuum E20 is a 3-in-1 design: robot, stick, and handheld vacuum in one device. That mix is helpful when you want to tackle both everyday crumbs on the floor and food residue on higher surfaces like worktops, breakfast bars, or high chairs.
- In robot mode, it offers up to 8,000 Pa suction for everyday crumbs on hard floors and carpets.
- In stick and handheld mode, suction reaches 30,000 Pa, making it easier to clear food dust from chairs, corners, and soft furnishings.
- The AeroTurbo™ five-stage filtration system captures up to 99.7% of fine particles (down to around 0.3 microns), which is useful if you want to reduce dust and allergens as well as visible mess.
- When docked, the E20 can auto-empty into a 3L dust bag designed to last up to about 75 days, so the robot can keep clearing crumbs without constant bin trips.
eufy Robot Vacuum Omni S2
The eufy Robot Vacuum Omni S2 is a higher-end option aimed at deep cleaning, with both powerful vacuuming and advanced mopping.
- A 30,000 Pa AeroTurbo™ Deep Cleaning System 2.0 delivers very high suction and is designed to maintain peak performance for extended periods, so the robot can clear heavy crumbs, grit, and embedded debris on thick rugs as well as hard floors.
- The HydroJet™ Mopping System 2.0 uses a roller mop and two-scraper structure to keep the mop surface clean as it works, targeting sticky marks and dried spills that might otherwise linger around dining areas.
- It uses ozonated water for mopping, designed to remove up to 99.99% of germs on the floor surface.
- The 12-in-1 UniClean™ station handles tasks like emptying the dustbin, washing and drying the mop, and managing water tanks, so the system can run frequent cleans with very little hands-on time.
Used regularly, a robot like this can keep floors in a “just cleaned” state for most of the week, which reduces the chance of ants finding a reliable food source in the first place.
Find and Block Ant Entry Points
Once food is harder to reach, the next step in how to get rid of ants is to work out how they’re getting in and close those routes.
Track the ant trail
Follow visible ants whenever you can. Watch where ants come from and where they disappear. They often slip in:
- Along skirting boards
- Through gaps around windows or patio doors
- Behind appliances
- Around pipe entries under sinks, boilers, or washing machines
Ants usually follow set routes between a food source and their nest, so this gives you strong clues about entry points.
Check common gaps
Do a slow walk-round inside and outside the house, paying attention to:
- Gaps under external doors or between door frames and walls
- Cracks in skirting boards and around floor edges
- Spaces where pipes and cables pass through walls (kitchen sink, boiler, washing machine)
- Cracked sealant around window frames or patio doors
- Gaps between walls and built-in units such as kitchen cupboards
Seal and proof the gaps
Once you’ve found likely routes, close them as far as you can.
- Use decorator’s caulk or filler for cracks in walls and skirting.
- Use exterior-grade sealant or expanding foam around pipes and cables where they meet brickwork.
- Fit weather-stripping or a brush strip to the bottom of external doors.
- Repair or refresh silicone sealant around window and door frames if it has shrunk or split.
If you rent, basic draught-proofing is usually fine, but structural issues should be raised with your landlord.
Use Natural Ant Repellents
Natural remedies help you interrupt scent trails and make entry points less appealing. They won’t remove a whole colony on their own, but they support the harder-hitting methods.
Vinegar or lemon for scent trails
Ants rely on pheromone trails to communicate the location of food sources to other workers of their colony. Strong-smelling liquids help cut through those trails.
You can:
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray along visible ant trails, skirting boards, around door frames, and near entry points.
- Wipe the area after a few minutes, then re-spray a light layer as a barrier.
You can use lemon juice in the same way. The acidity and scent make treated areas less attractive to ants, especially around door thresholds and windowsills.
Just avoid spraying strong acids on natural stone worktops or delicate surfaces; test a small patch first.
Essential oils as barriers
Some strong-smelling oils help discourage ants.
Common options include peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, and clove.
- Add 8–10 drops to a cup of water in a spray bottle
- Shake and mist along edges or behind appliances
- Reapply daily at first
You can also put a few drops on cotton pads and tuck them into corners or behind appliances where ants are using hidden routes.
Other mild natural deterrents
A few common kitchen items seem to discourage ants in some situations:
- Cinnamon or ground cloves along ant paths
- Citrus peel or coffee grounds around outdoor problem spots
- Boiled lemon water poured into cracks on patios on a dry day
Use Ant Baits and Traps
Baits are one of the most effective ways to clear an infestation because they reach the colony, not just the ants you see. Workers carry the bait back to the nest and share it, including with the queen.
Why baits work so well
Sprays only kill ants on the surface. Baits target the source. They’re slow-acting on purpose, giving workers time to take the poison home. This is why you may see more ants at first—they’re gathering the food. Activity should drop as the colony reacts.
DIY bait mixes you can make at home
You don’t always need shop-bought ant baits. Here are two simple mixes you can make at home instead:
Borax and sugar bait
If you’re comfortable handling it carefully, a borax and sugar bait can be an effective DIY way to target the nest. Borax interferes with ants’ digestion and outer coating. Mixed with sugar or syrup, it becomes a slow-acting bait that workers carry back to the colony.
A simple liquid version:
- ½ cup warm water
- ½ cup sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons borax
Stir until everything dissolves, then:
- Soak cotton pads or balls in the solution.
- Place them on small pieces of card along ant trails, but out of reach of children and pets.
- Leave them in place for several hours or overnight.
- Replace the pads every day or two until you stop seeing ants.
For a dry bait, you can mix roughly 1 part borax to 3 parts sugar and place tiny amounts in bottle caps or shallow lids near regular trails.
Baking soda and sugar bait
This method is easy but less reliable. Ants eat the sugar but may not consume enough baking soda for strong results. Still, it can help with light activity.
- Mix equal parts icing sugar and baking soda
- Place small amounts near trails
- Give it several days to see whether activity changes
If the trail doesn’t slow, switch to proven ant baits or consider professional advice.
Check Your Garden and Patio Areas
In many UK homes, ants nest outdoors and only come inside to forage. A quick look around your garden, patio, or driveway can reveal why they keep returning.
Spot outdoor nests
Garden ants often build nests:
- Under or between paving slabs
- Around path edges and driveways
- Beneath plant pots and garden ornaments
- At the base of warm, sunny walls
Look for small mounds of soil or sand pushed up between cracks. Well-worn trails heading toward your back door are another clue.
Clear outdoor food and shelter
Ants thrive when there’s easy food or cover outside. Try to:
- Sweep around outdoor tables and BBQs
- Pick up spilled bird seed or pet food
- Keep bins and compost caddies closed
- Check plants for aphids, which produce honeydew ants love
A little outdoor tidying can go a long way in stopping ants at the boundary before they wander in.
Treat problem nests with care
If a nest sits close to your house or keeps sending ants indoors, consider a direct treatment.
- Pouring very hot water into the nest entrance can reduce activity, though it may need repeating and should be used cautiously around plants.
- Outdoor ant bait granules placed by nest openings let workers carry poison back to the colony.
- In dry weather, a light band of food-grade diatomaceous earth around walls or bins can help, as long as it stays dry and out of footpaths.
None of these steps need to be aggressive—you’re simply making the area less ideal for a colony to settle near your home.
When to Call a Pest Control Expert
DIY steps usually work well for small or short-lived ant problems. But some situations call for a trained technician.
Consider bringing in an expert if:
- Ant trails continue for two weeks or more despite cleaning, sealing, and baiting
- Ants appear in multiple rooms or floors
- You see activity coming from voids, such as wall cavities, under flooring, or electrical areas
- The nest seems large or hidden and you can’t locate the source
- You suspect a species like pharaoh ants, which don’t respond well to typical DIY sprays
- Someone in your household has allergies or you need a quicker, safer fix around babies or vulnerable adults
Persistent infestations often mean there’s a nest deeper in the structure or multiple colonies working together. A professional can identify the ant species, track down nest locations, and use targeted treatments designed to reach the queen and brood, not just foragers
Conclusion
Getting on top of an ant problem takes a mix of simple habits and steady prevention. Once you remove food sources, block entry points, and use the right treatments, the trail usually fades fast. Most homes only need a few consistent steps, but a professional can help if ants keep returning. With a clean routine and basic proofing in place, you’ll know exactly how to get rid of ants in house and keep them from settling in again.
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FAQs
What is the quickest way to get rid of ants in your house?
The fastest way to deal with ants is to remove their food and water sources immediately. Wipe down surfaces, sweep or vacuum crumbs, and store food in sealed containers. Next, trace the ant trails to find their entry points and block them using caulk or a natural deterrent. Spraying a vinegar or lemon solution along trails also disrupts their scent, preventing more ants from arriving.
Why have I got ants in my house?
Ants usually enter homes in search of food, water, or shelter. They are attracted to spills, crumbs, open containers, sugary substances, or pet food left out. Seasonal changes, warm weather, or damp areas can make your home even more appealing. Once they find a reliable food source, they leave pheromone trails to guide others, which can quickly lead to a full infestation. Preventing them involves controlling food access, cleaning regularly, and sealing potential entry points.
What smell keeps ants away?
Several natural scents repel ants effectively. Vinegar and lemon juice disrupt their pheromone trails, making it harder for ants to navigate. Strong herbs like peppermint, rosemary, and lavender are also disliked by ants. Essential oils, such as peppermint or citrus oils, can be applied near entry points, windows, or along trails to keep ants at bay. Lemon rinds placed near doors and windows act as a gentle barrier. Using these smells regularly not only discourages ants from returning but also leaves your home smelling fresh and natural without the need for harsh chemicals.
How to find out where ants are coming from?
To locate ant entry points, follow their trails carefully. Observe where they first appear and trace them backward toward the source. Look around windows, doors, baseboards, plumbing, and small cracks in walls or floors. Pay attention to patterns—ants often move along walls or edges and prefer hidden, sheltered paths. Using a bright flashlight can help spot small openings. Once you identify these points, seal them with caulk or use natural deterrents like vinegar or lemon spray.
