How to Get Rid of Ants at Your Home

August 31, 2026

Finding a trail of ants across your kitchen bench or pantry is a common frustration for many Australian homeowners. While it may seem like a small problem at first, ants often travel in large colonies. Therefore, removing the ants you can see does not always solve the issue. The key to successful ant control is understanding why […]

The key to successful ant control is understanding why ants enter your home and how to stop them from returning.

Start by Understanding Why Ants Are There

Ants do not appear randomly. Like every living creature, they are looking for three basic things: food, water, and shelter.

A few crumbs on the floor, a leaking tap, or an open food container can be enough to attract a colony. During warmer months, ants also become more active as they search for new food sources and expand their nests.

Even clean homes can experience ant problems because tiny food particles and moisture are often enough to attract them.

We write about how food residues can attract ants into your homes. Read More.

Five Practical Ways to Reduce Ant Activity

Although every home is different, these simple habits can make your property less attractive to ants.

1. Clean Up Food Straight Away

Wipe kitchen benches after preparing meals and sweep food crumbs from floors regularly.

Sweet foods, sugary drinks, pet food, and greasy residue are some of the biggest attractions for ants.

2. Store Food Properly

Transfer pantry items into sealed containers whenever possible.

Likewise, avoid leaving fruit, biscuits, or pet food uncovered for long periods.

3. Remove Moisture Sources

Ants need water just as much as food.

Repair leaking taps, improve ventilation in damp areas, and avoid allowing water to collect around sinks or outdoor drains.

4. Close Their Entry Points

Take a walk around your home and look for small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, and external walls.

Although ants are tiny, sealing these openings can help reduce the number entering your home.

5. Keep Outdoor Areas Tidy

Trim plants that touch your house and remove piles of timber, leaf litter, or garden debris close to external walls.

These areas often provide shelter for nearby ant colonies.

Why Do Ants Keep Coming Back?

Many homeowners notice that ants disappear after using a household spray, only to return a few days later.

This happens because most surface sprays only kill the ants you can see. Meanwhile, the rest of the colony, including the queen, usually remains protected inside the nest.

As long as the colony survives, worker ants continue following the same scent trails back into your home.

That is why repeated DIY treatments often provide only temporary results.

When Is It Time to Call a Professional?

If ants continue returning despite your best efforts, a professional inspection can help identify the source of the problem.

Different ant species behave differently, and each requires a tailored treatment approach.

At CPS, our technicians identify the species, locate nesting areas where possible, assess the conditions attracting ants, and recommend treatments suited to your home. More importantly, we focus on long-term prevention instead of simply treating visible ants.

Learn more about our ant control.

Long-Term Ant Control Starts with Prevention

Ants are one of Australia’s most common household pests, but they do not have to become a permanent problem.

By combining good household habits with professional pest management when needed, homeowners can significantly reduce ant activity throughout the year.

We are committed to providing services that are effective, transparent, and easy to understand.

Book an inspection now with CPS today to arrange a professional inspection and tailored treatment plan.

Send us a message and one of our specialists pest managers will be in touch