The ants go marching one by one, as the nursery rhyme goes – although that’s not exactly true. A single ant will come first, scout out for food and shelter, then report back to base. Only then will a barrage of ants follow the pheromone trail and make their way into your home, crawling along skirting boards, windowsills and eventually finding their way into your cupboards.
Ants are always a nuisance in the summer, especially when temperatures rise. But why is that and what can you do to stop the infestation before it starts? We spoke to a professor and an exterminator to find the best DIY solution for stopping ants before they get into your home. Here’s what you need to do.
Why are ants so bad in summer?
It’s good to know why there’s such a problem in the first place. According to Adam Hart, professor of conservation ecology at the University of Gloucestershire and a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, ‘At this time of year, many of the ants we notice indoors are workers searching for food and water. Warm weather speeds up their activity, while dry conditions can make homes an attractive source of moisture. If one ant finds a good food source, it leaves behind a chemical trail that guides other workers to the same place, which is why a few ants can quickly become a steady stream.’
James Copley, chief executive officer of Copley Pest Solutions, agrees. ‘Homeowners are most likely seeing more ants in the summer because this is when ant colonies are the largest and the demand for food is high. Ants also mate in July and August, which is triggered by the warm weather. Ants are constantly looking for food sources, and our homes are a prime source. From crumbs to pet food to standing water, all of these provide a source for ants to thrive on.’
So, it’s not just about the food; ants are looking for moisture, too – understandable considering the dry conditions outside. That’s worth bearing in mind if you have pet food and water near the door or a leaky pipe under the sink. But a messy home filled with sources of food is a big attraction, so be sure to sweep, vacuum and mop regularly, removing any crumbs from the floor as well as sticky spills and stains. Try to keep the kitchen bin clean and emptied, too, spraying and cleaning regularly with a disinfectant.
What DIY solution prevents ants?
But if you want extra protection for your home and want to deter any scouting ants, the following DIY solution is what we recommend.
All you need to do is mix up a solution of one part distilled white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle and shake well. Then spritz it anywhere outside you want to deter ants – it might be around the doorstep or on the outside of your windowsills or around the porch. Use it wherever you suspect ants will travel and block off them off at the pass as it were.
Adam continues: ‘Vinegar doesn’t usually kill ants, but it helps disrupt the scent trails they rely on for navigation, making it harder for them to recruit nest mates. The smell also discourages ants from crossing recently treated areas. However, the effect is temporary, so it needs to be reapplied regularly, especially after cleaning or if the surface gets wet.’
We recommend reapplying the vinegar solution once a week, increasing to every couple of days if you’ve noticed ants around the home. It will also need reapplying after rainfall if it’s been washed away.
However, Adam stresses that this deterrent is not an effective solution: ‘The most effective long-term approach is to remove whatever is attracting the ants in the first place by keeping food sealed, wiping up sugary residues and blocking obvious entry points. If ants continue to return, the nest is usually nearby and targeted ant baits are generally more effective than sprays, because the workers carry the bait back to the colony.’
James has some great tips when it comes to bait traps: ‘Bait traps require patience – don’t remove the traps too soon and be sure to follow the directions on the packaging. People often worry when they see more ants after placing bait traps, but that means that the traps are effectively attracting the ants. As much as it can distress homeowners when they see more of what they are trying to get rid of, you need worker ants to carry the bait back to the colony. Patience is best with bait traps; they’re effective and they will work.’
So, vinegar is a handy deterrent for keeping ants at bay, but it’s not the solution if you’re facing a constant barrage. In that case, being clean and consistent, coupled with bait traps, is the way to go! Check out this feature on how to beat ant-maggedon for more tips.
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