How to Stop Ants Before They Reach the Kitchen

Our position as one of the leading pest controllers in Berkshire means we are now starting to field a lot of calls for seasonal pests. This time of year, ants are a big problem. We get calls from anxious customers who discover a trail of ants moving in and out of the kitchen as though they were an organised army in search of the enemy.

They are an organised army, but more on that in a minute. First though, we recommend you give us a call for any ant problem that seems out of control. Ants can be tougher to get rid of than you think, especially if their numbers are high enough.

It's All About Food

As for the army reference, ants actually do function in a highly structured environment that resembles military movements. When a scout ant first goes out in search of food, it leaves behind a trail of pheromones that can be followed back to the nest. Upon finding food, that's exactly what the scout does. It heads back to the nest with the booty, leaving more pheromones behind.

This pheromone trail signals other ants to go out in search of food. They follow the trail right to the food source, take what they want, and carry it back to the nest. This is why many of our customers describe trails of ants moving in their kitchens. The ants are doing what comes naturally: they are retrieving food and taking it back to the nest.

Here's how you can stop ants before they ever reach your kitchen:

1. Store Food in Airtight Containers

Ants invading your kitchen are in search of food. If you have nothing to offer, they will have no reason to visit. The best thing you can do to prevent an infestation is to store your food in airtight containers. Do not leave open packages of sugary foods lying around. Don't leave pastries, breads, and other baked goods exposed to the open air.

2. Keep the Kitchen Clean

A clean kitchen is a kitchen that ants don't find attractive. Be sure to clean your kitchen regularly, including cleaning up spills immediately. Clean your counters, wash the floors, and wipe down the cooker. Take a look inside the cupboards too. Give them a good cleaning if there is anything inside that could attract ants.

3. Don't Leave Pet Food Out

Believe it or not, many species of ants will eat pet food just as easily as human food. Therefore, do not leave pet food out. Feed your pets on a schedule. When they're done eating, remove any leftover food and either discard it or store it in an airtight container. You can leave the water bowl out but make a practice of cleaning it daily.

We are pest controllers in Berkshire also covering parts of Wiltshire and Hampshire. We would be happy to pay a visit to your premises to help you deal with ants in the kitchen.

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