Why do ants come inside?
Ants come indoors for three reasons: food, water and shelter.
Food. Crumbs, spills, unsealed sugar, pet food left down, and bins are all attractants. Sweet and greasy foods are the biggest draw, which is why the trail often runs to the kitchen.
Water. Damp areas, leaky taps, pet bowls, plant saucers and condensation draw ants in, especially in dry spells when water outside is scarce.
Shelter. In hot or wet weather, ants look for sheltered nest sites. Wall cavities, under floors, behind kitchen units and around pipework all offer the conditions a colony wants.
Why the trail keeps coming back
How to stop ants at the source
01Find the entry point
Watch where the trail enters the property, often a gap around a door, window, pipe or skirting board.
02Remove the food
Clear crumbs, wipe spills, seal sugar and dry goods, and do not leave pet food down overnight.
03Seal the gaps
Caulk or fill entry points where practical. This matters more than any repellent.
04Treat the nest
The reliable way to stop ants returning is to treat the nest itself, which is what professional ant control does.
When to call a professional
Call a professional if:
- The trail keeps returning despite cleaning and sealing
- You can see the nest or the ants are coming from under the property
- Ants are in food storage areas or customer-facing business premises
- You have local coastal ant species around Bude, which can behave differently from common garden ants
- The problem is in a restaurant, cafe, pub or food premises where it affects customers
Professional treatment targets the nest rather than the visible ants. We cover Bude, Launceston, Holsworthy and the surrounding area, with free quotes and no hidden charges. Call 07552372561 or request a quote.
What to expect from professional ant treatment
The service starts with a chat about what you have seen and where. We identify the species and find where the ants are entering, treat the nest and entry points using professional products, and advise on what is attracting them so you can reduce the chances of them coming back. See ant control for the full service.
Common questions
Why do I keep getting ants in my house?＋
Ants come indoors for food, water and shelter, and they lay a pheromone trail that keeps new workers coming. Until the nest is dealt with, the trail keeps returning.
Will ant powder get rid of ants?＋
Ant powder kills the workers you see, but it rarely reaches the nest. The colony keeps producing workers, which is why the problem returns.
How do I find where ants are coming in?＋
Watch the trail and follow it back to the entry point, often a gap around a door, window, pipe or skirting board. Sealing that gap helps, but treating the nest is what stops the problem.
Is ant infestation in the house dangerous?＋
Most UK ants are a nuisance rather than a danger, but they can contaminate food and, in commercial premises, affect compliance. Treatment is recommended where ants are in food areas.
Do you treat nests in the garden?＋
Yes. We treat ant nests around patios, slabs, garden paths, lawns and foundations as part of the service.
How quickly can you attend?＋
I aim to arrange the earliest available appointment, often the same day. If the problem is in a customer-facing area, say so when you call. ---
Jack is the owner of SW Pest Management, a local pest control business based in North Cornwall covering Bude, Launceston, Holsworthy and the surrounding area.
More about SW Pest Management →Found the signs of a pest problem?
Call 07552 372561 for honest advice on what you are dealing with, or request a quote for a free, fixed-price visit.
