What Attracts Ants into My Home?  

Have you spotted a dreaded line of ants or a swarm crawling on your counters? You are not alone. 

Ants are one of the most common household pests in the United States, and infestations are seemingly on the rise. Explore what attracts ants and what you can do about it with USX Pest Control’s guide to common ant attractants. 

Introduction to Ant Infestations 

Pest Control Technology (PCT)1 conducts an annual report to assess what pest management professionals encounter every year. Data from the 2024 State of the Ant Control Market revealed that 47% of PMPs surveyed experienced increased ant activity compared to the year before. Additionally, those participating in the survey anticipated increased demand for ant control services. Some PMPs indicated that ants are the number one pest they receive calls to treat.  

When it comes to ant infestations, predictability isn’t always easy. Sometimes, it’s a matter of when and where these tiny critters show up. However, some common known ant attractants make it more likely that you will end up with an infestation. 

The Impact of Ants in Your Living Space 

How ants affect living spaces largely depends on the species invading them. For example, carpenter ants tunnel through wood and can create significant structural damage. Other ants opt to nest in dangerous spots, including areas near electrical wiring, which can cause dangerous electrical shorts. Many species can contaminate food and surfaces to potentially spread harmful germs.  

Common Ant Attractants in Homes 

Ants play an important role outdoors, aerating and helping to enrich the soil. Indoors, however, these tiny bugs are nothing but a nuisance, at best, and potentially a danger in worst case scenarios. Understanding what attracts ants is the first step in preventing infestations and achieving ant control in homes. 

Food Sources — Crumbs, Spills, and Residues 

According to PCT’s 2024 State of the Ant Control Market report, kitchens are the hot spot for ant infestations in 59% of cases for good reason. These rooms can offer easy access to one of the biggest ant attractants — food. Ants actively seek out food sources, which can include everything from dirty dishes, crumbs, and spills to trash, uncleaned grills, and unattended, unsealed foods.  

Moisture and Water Sources 

Ants love cool, moist areas, which is why you might often find them in spots like basements and bathrooms. However, they will also seek out water sources, including pets’ water bowls and leaky pipes.  

Shelter and Nesting Sites 

Cool, humid spots make excellent nesting spots. Ants will establish their colonies in areas they can access, even those sealed with silicone, which they can chew or tunnel through with effort. They often set up their nests within 50 feet or so of food and water sources, including in walls, floors, and ceilings. 

How Ants Find Their Way Inside 

Ants are tiny, numerous, and more resourceful than you might think. They are also able to slip through even miniscule cracks and crevices. Ant control in homes requires addressing common attractants and potential entry points.  

Tracking Scent Trails 

Have you ever noticed that ants often travel in a line? As it turns out, these pests are actually following a trail of pheromones they detect by using their antennae. These chemical trails allow scouts to alert the rest of the colony to the path forward toward the new colony, nest, or food and water sources.  

Common Entry Points for Ants 

To leave scent trails for other ants to follow, they have to enter your home first. So, what are some of the most common entry points? 

• Open doors and windows 
• Cracks in foundations, walls, and flooring 
• Voids around pipes and other utilities running from outside in 
• Vents 
• Potted plants 
• Outdoor items brought inside 

Preventing Ant Infestations 

Now that you understand what attracts them and how they are getting inside, what steps can you take to prevent infestations? Proper sanitation techniques, secure food storage, and sealed entry points can make a tremendous difference.  

Maintaining Cleanliness and Reducing Clutter 

Without adequate cleanliness, all other measures could be an exercise in futility. Promptly clean up — indoors and out — after cooking and eating. Additional steps to take include: 

• Wipe up spills, vacuum crumbs, and mop floors. 
• Regularly dispose of trash in pest-proof receptacles. 
• Rinse recyclables and routinely clean out the bins. 
• Frequently clean pet food and water bowls. 
• Wash dirty dishes, utensils, and glassware promptly. 

Proper Food Storage Techniques 

Avoid leaving food out or on your counters. Store pantry items in air-tight containers and keep fruits and veggies in the fridge. Also, don’t forget about your pets’ food — storing it in air-tight containers can help keep ants and other critters out of your kitchen.  

Sealing Cracks and Crevices 

If you want to keep ants out, you will need to seek out all potential entry points and seal them up. Caulk can provide an effective barrier to prevent ants and other pests from entering your home. Be sure to replace any worn or damaged weather stripping around doors and windows.  

Natural Deterrents and Home Remedies 

Eliminating sources of food and water and sealing entryways can help prevent ant infestations, but those are only a few of the steps you can take for lasting ant control. The battle against ants can feel overwhelming at times. However, you might also try some natural remedies and repellents to keep these pests at bay. For example, the strong scent of cinnamon when sprinkled on plants, near entry points, and along pheromone trails can help repel them.  

Using Vinegar, Citrus, and Essential Oils 

Like cinnamon, other common household products with strong aromas can help deter ants. Vinegar can be particularly effective, and you can use it at the strength you prefer. Spray it in vulnerable areas in either straight or diluted form with equal parts of water. Peppermint oil is a powerful deterrent against both ants, mosquitoes, flies, and more. Other strongly scented oils like eucalyptus, citronella, and lavender can be helpful. Ants also hate the scent of citrus fruits like grapefruits, lemons, and limes. Scatter the peels or use citrus essential oils. 

The Role of Diatomaceous Earth and Other Natural Substances 

Spread a thin layer of diatomaceous earth, a natural powder-like substance made from small water-borne organisms, at entry points and along scent trails. It causes ants that come in contact with it to eventually dehydrate and die. You may also opt to try a combination of powdered sugar and baking soda, which works similarly. The sugar will attract them, and the baking soda dries their exoskeletons. 

When to Use Professional Ant Control 

If the measures mentioned above fail, don’t try to spray ants with pesticides or resort to potentially dangerous or ineffective methods. Ant colonies can reach tens of thousands, making it challenging to completely eliminate them without the right tools. Instead of struggling on your own, contact a reputable professional ASAP.  

With USX Pest, our trained and licensed technicians start by thoroughly inspecting properties inside and out. This allows them to identify where and why ants are getting in and identify the types of ants causing a problem. Those details form the basis of each customized treatment plan for safe, effective ant control in homes, businesses, and other properties.  

Contact USX Pest today to schedule an inspection to get started.