Locate the entry points by following ants to their trail and checking cracks, gaps, window/door frames, utility lines, and baseboards
Clean up food and grease immediately; wipe counters and floors with hot soapy water
Store food in sealed containers; empty trash regularly; keep pet food covered
Remove water sources (fix leaks, dry sinks, wipe condensation)
Seal entry points with caulk, steel wool, or weather stripping
Use bait stations (ant-killing gel or bait) placed along ant trails and near entry points
Keep bait away from children and pets; follow label directions
Replace bait as directed until activity stops
Use residual insecticide labeled for ants as a gap/crack treatment (follow label directions)
Apply diatomaceous earth in cracks and along trails (avoid breathing it; keep away from children/pets)
Use a boric acid/borax bait only in bait form and only where it won’t be accessed by children/pets
Try ant repellents like peppermint oil or vinegar on surfaces to reduce trail activity while bait works
Remove ant nests indoors by vacuuming visible clusters and disposing of the vacuum contents outside
If ants persist, treat suspected outdoor nests and nearby vegetation/leaf litter that contacts the foundation
Contact a pest control professional for persistent infestations or multiple ant species