Ants in the kitchen are following a scent trail to food or water. Spraying the visible ants destroys the trail and scatters the colony, which usually makes the problem worse. Bait takes the insecticide back to the nest.
Clean up food and crumbs, follow the trail to the entry point, and place gel or station baits along the route — not on top of it. Do not spray the trail while baiting. Seal gaps around pipes and skirting once the ants stop coming. Keep baits out of reach of children and pets.
Identify the ant
- Sugar ants: small, usually black or brown, drawn to sweet foods and drinks.
- Grease ants: attracted to oils, fats, and protein.
- Carpenter ants: much larger, often seen near damp wood — a different problem that may need a professional.
Follow the trail
Ants lay a pheromone trail from the nest to the food. Watch where the line disappears — under a skirting board, through a gap around a pipe, or along a windowsill. That entry point is what you will seal later. Do not wipe the trail away yet; you need it to place bait correctly.
Bait, do not spray
- Choose the right baitUse a gel bait for sugar ants and a protein or grease bait for others. Match the bait to what they are eating.
- Place along the trailPut small dabs of gel near — not on — the trail, or set stations a few centimetres apart.
- Be patientAnts need time to carry the bait back to the colony. Expect several days, sometimes a week.
- Resist sprayingIf you spray, the ants die before carrying the bait home and the colony survives.
- Replace as neededRefresh the bait until the ants stop appearing.
Put baits where children and pets cannot reach them, and follow the label exactly. Never use outdoor ant granules indoors.
Seal the entry points
Once activity has stopped, seal the gaps you found with silicone sealant or fine steel wool. Fix any leaking pipe or damp patch — ants and carpenter ants both follow moisture. Keep counters wiped, store food in sealed containers, and take rubbish out nightly.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the ants come back after I sprayed?
Spray kills the workers on the surface but leaves the nest intact. The colony simply sends more ants, often splitting into new nests. Bait reaches the source.
How long does ant bait take to work?
Usually three days to two weeks. Activity often rises briefly before it stops, because the colony is recruiting more ants to the bait.
When should I call a pest control professional?
If you see large carpenter ants, find winged ants indoors, or have repeated infestations over months, call a licensed professional. Those can signal a deeper moisture or structural issue.
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