Getting rid of ants once they have established themselves takes time and patience. Preventing them from getting in in the first place is faster, cheaper, and requires no chemicals. It is about removing what attracts them — and blocking the way in.
Here are ten measures that actually make a difference, ranked roughly by how much of an impact they have. You do not need to do everything at once — start with the ones that suit your home best.
10 concrete measures to keep ants away
1. Seal cracks and entry points
Ants can squeeze through gaps as narrow as 1–2 mm. Common entry points are cracks in the base and foundation wall, gaps around pipe penetrations and cables, spaces around door and window frames, and joints and cracks in the exterior wall near ground level.
Use acrylic filler, sealant, or weatherstripping depending on the material. It is a simple job that makes a big difference — not just against ants but against all crawling insects.
Here's the translation:
1. Seal cracks and entry points
Ants can squeeze through gaps as narrow as 1–2 mm. Common entry points are cracks in the base and foundation wall, gaps around pipe penetrations and cables, spaces around door and window frames, and joints and cracks in the exterior wall near ground level.
Use acrylic filler, sealant, or weatherstripping depending on the material. It is a simple job that makes a big difference — not just against ants but against all crawling insects.
2. Store food in sealed containers
Open packages of sugar, flour, muesli, or rice are a delight for ants. Store dry goods in containers with tight-fitting lids — glass or hard plastic. This also applies to pet food, which is a common and underestimated attractant.
A fruit bowl on the counter also attracts ants, especially during summer. Store ripe fruit in the refrigerator if you live in an area with a lot of ants.
3. Keep the area under appliances and in tight spaces clean
Crumbs and grease residue easily accumulate under the stove, kitchen sink, and refrigerator. Ants like to move along these surfaces at night. A thorough cleaning under and behind kitchen appliances once a month — plus always wiping down the counters in the evening — removes a large part of the ants' motivation to seek out the kitchen.
4. Address moisture and water leaks promptly
Ants need water, and moisture attracts them just as effectively as food. A leaking pipe under the kitchen sink, a damp floor drain in the bathroom, or condensation behind the refrigerator can all serve as water sources for ants.
Check the pipes under the kitchen and bathroom once a year. Address leaks immediately and make sure ventilation works properly in spaces with high moisture levels.
5. Remove firewood and wooden materials leaning against the house
Woodpiles directly against the exterior wall are a classic entry point for carpenter ants. The wood gives them shelter, moisture, and an easy way to climb up the wall and in through gaps near windows or the eaves.
Keep at least 50 cm between the woodpile and the house wall. Ideally place the wood on a base that keeps it dry and without direct contact with the ground. The same applies to piles of garden waste, wooden compost bins, and old timber materials.
6. Keep bushes and plants away from the facade
Branches and bushes that touch the house wall give ants a direct route up toward window frames and the roof. Trim back bushes and hedges so there is at least 20–30 cm of space between the vegetation and the facade. This makes it harder not only for ants but also for silverfish and other insects that like to climb along plants toward the house.
7. Manage the compost correctly
The compost is one of the garden's biggest attractants for ants — warm, moist, and full of food. Place the compost bin at least 3–4 meters from the house. Choose a closed container with a tight-fitting lid. Do not leave food scraps on top but mix them directly into the compost, and add nitrogen-rich materials such as grass clippings to keep the temperature high — this reduces the appeal for ants.
8. Check the crawl space every year
The crawl space is the hardest place to keep an eye on, but also one of the most common places for carpenter ants to establish themselves. A poorly ventilated crawl space with high humidity and possible rot in the wooden beams is a perfect ant nest.
Check the crawl space once a year, preferably in autumn. Look for piles of sawdust, visible entry holes in the wood, and moisture damage. Install a dehumidifier if the moisture level is high. Address any rot before it has a chance to become an ant problem.
9. Disrupt pheromone trails with natural repellents
If you notice that ants are starting to make their way toward the kitchen but have not yet properly established themselves, natural repellents can slow them down. Cinnamon, ground coffee, and vinegar effectively disrupt pheromone trails. Wipe down the counters with diluted vinegar and sprinkle cinnamon along thresholds and at suspected entry points.
These are not definitive solutions, but as an early intervention — combined with removing the food they are looking for — it may be enough to make the ant scouts lose interest.
10. Inspect and maintain outdoor wooden structures
The deck, fence, wooden patio, and facade boards are exposed to moisture and rot over the years. Moist wood is the first step toward a carpenter ant problem. Repaint or oil-treat outdoor wooden parts regularly, replace rotting boards immediately, and make sure wooden parts are never in direct contact with the ground without a moisture barrier.
A simple inspection of outdoor wood every spring takes ten minutes and can prevent a problem that costs ten times more to fix.
What do you do if ants have gotten in anyway?
Preventative measures significantly reduce the risk but guarantee nothing — especially if you live in an area with a lot of ants. If you encounter ants indoors despite having taken these steps, it is a matter of locating the entry point and breaking the colony with the right method.
