If you’ve just spotted a trail of ants marching through your kitchen or noticed a small pile of soil near your skirting boards, you’re probably asking yourself one thing – how do I get rid of ants, and stop them coming back? You’re not alone. Ants are one of the most common household pests in the UK. They show up quickly, often without warning, and once they settle in, they’re tough to shift unless you deal with them the right way. This guide breaks it all down for you – calmly, clearly, and with steps you can actually take right now.

Why are ants in my house?

It always starts with a few, then suddenly, you’ve got a full-blown infestation. Ants come into your home for food. That’s it. They’re drawn in by sweet stuff, crumbs, or grease left on worktops. Once they find something, they head back to the nest and leave a trail of pheromones so the rest of the colony knows exactly where to go.

It doesn’t mean your home is dirty – even a spotless kitchen can attract ants if they get lucky once. All it takes is one crack in the wall or a gap near the door, and they’re in.

What types of ants are most common in the UK?

There are lots of ant species, but most of the ones you’ll see indoors are either:

• Black garden ants – These are the most common. You’ll usually find them around windowsills, under floorboards, or in kitchen corners.
• Pharaoh ants – Much smaller and harder to control. These prefer warm indoor spaces and are common in flats, hospitals, and commercial kitchens.
• Red ants – More aggressive and can sting. Usually outdoors but might come inside during hot weather.

Knowing the type of ant helps, but most household ant control methods will work across all of them with the right application.

How do I get rid of ants fast?

Let’s be honest – if ants are already in your house, the last thing you want is to read a dozen tips that don’t get straight to the point. So here’s where to start.

1. Find where they’re coming in
   You’ll need to watch them for a bit. Ants usually follow the same path, so it won’t take long to figure out their entry point. Check around skirting boards, under sinks, windowsills, and external door frames.
2. Clean the trail
   Use soapy water, vinegar spray, or antibacterial spray to wipe the trail. That removes the pheromones they’ve left behind, so others won’t follow.
3. Block the entry
   Seal the cracks with caulk or filler. If the gap’s around a pipe or cable, expanding foam works well. Don’t skip this step – it stops them coming back.
4. Use the right bait
   This bit matters. Killing the ants you see won’t solve the problem. You need them to take the poison back to the nest. Use a proper ant bait gel or station from a hardware shop or online. Place it right where the ants are active. Give it time. They’ll carry it back and slowly wipe out the colony.
5. Stay consistent
   It can take days, sometimes weeks, for a full colony to die off. Keep bait down, don’t spray the ants directly (they won’t bring the poison back if they die on the spot), and keep cleaning regularly.

Does vinegar kill ants?

Vinegar doesn’t kill ants, but it can help in a few ways. When you mix vinegar with water and spray it on surfaces where ants walk, it wipes away their scent trail. That makes it harder for the others to find the route. It’s not a standalone solution, but it’s a good support tool while you use proper bait.

What household products can I use?

You might already have some things at home that can help slow ants down:

• Baking soda and sugar – Mix equal parts and leave it near the trail. The sugar attracts them, and the baking soda disrupts their digestive system.
• Cinnamon or coffee grounds – Strong smells like these can repel ants, especially around entry points.
• Lemon juice – Like vinegar, it disrupts scent trails.

These are helpful for light activity or as part of your prevention routine, but they won’t wipe out a full colony. For that, you’ll still need a proper bait or professional support.

How do I keep ants away for good?

Getting rid of ants is one thing. Stopping them from coming back is the real goal. Here’s what works best over the long term:

• Seal your home properly – Take time to walk around your house and seal up any gaps around windows, pipes, vents, or brickwork. Use silicone, filler, or foam where needed.
• Keep worktops clear – Wipe surfaces after meals, sweep crumbs, and store food in airtight containers. Even a bit of jam on the counter can start the cycle all over again.
• Take bins out regularly – Make sure internal bins are emptied daily and cleaned when needed. Ants love the smell of food waste.
• Check around patios and external walls – Ant nests often start just outside the home. If you spot piles of soil near paving or cracks, that’s a sign. Use ant powder or boiling water (safely) to treat outdoor nests before they move in.

When should you call a professional?

There’s nothing wrong with sorting it yourself, but if you’ve tried bait, blocked entry points, and they’re still coming, it might be time to speak to a pest control service.

Pharaoh ants and larger infestations often need commercial-grade treatments. Professionals can identify the exact species, locate hidden nests, and apply targeted treatments that work faster and more thoroughly than anything off the shelf.

You should also consider calling someone in if:

• You’ve got ants inside walls or electricals
• The problem keeps coming back after treatment
• You’re dealing with red ants or stinging species
• There are young children or pets in the home and you want safe treatment options

Are ant infestations dangerous?

Ants don’t carry serious diseases in the UK, but they can still pose a risk in the wrong setting. In kitchens, they can contaminate food. In businesses, they can damage reputation or even break food hygiene rules. Some ants, like Pharaoh ants, can spread bacteria. And while red ants are less common indoors, they do sting, which can be painful – especially for kids.

So no, they’re not deadly. But they’re still something you need to deal with quickly and properly.

Are you looking for pest control in Norfolk? Get in touch with us and a local pest removal company will be in touch.

What if the ants are in the garden?

Outdoor ants aren’t always a problem, but if they’re close to your home, they can easily make their way inside. If you’ve got ants under your patio, lawn, or in flower beds:

• Use an outdoor ant powder
• Boil water and pour directly into the nest entrance (be careful)
• Lay bait stations near their trails
• Keep soil and grass trimmed away from the base of your property

Just keep in mind that garden ants are a normal part of the environment. You don’t need to kill them all – just stop them from coming inside.

Can ants come back after treatment?

Yes, they can. That’s why prevention matters as much as treatment. Ants live in large colonies, and even if you wipe out one, another can move into the same space if conditions are right. That’s why it’s important to:

• Keep bait down for at least a week after activity stops
• Deep clean areas where ants were active
• Recheck entry points every few months
• Stay on top of food storage and bin cleaning

A little maintenance makes a big difference.

What’s the best way to get started today?

If you’re seeing ants right now, the first thing to do is find where they’re coming from. Clean the area, lay bait, and stop them from getting back in. Don’t panic if it takes a few days – the bait needs time to reach the queen.

Use this guide as your plan. Stick to the steps, avoid spraying ants directly unless you’re combining it with bait, and don’t rely on just one quick fix. Ant control is about consistency and follow-through.

And if you’ve tried everything but the ants keep coming, don’t wait. Reach out to a pest control specialist who can take a closer look.

You don’t have to live with ants. You just need a proper plan.

Whether it’s a few scouts in the corner or a full trail through your cupboards, now you know what to do. You’ve got the tools, the tips, and the know-how to handle it calmly and effectively. Start with bait, seal things up, clean as you go, and stop them from returning. That’s how you get rid of ants—and keep your home yours.

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