Are you hurriedly searching for how to get rid of ants? Chances are you’ve already got a trail (or ten) running across your kitchen bench or your bathroom floor. Yep, ants are incredibly persistent, highly organised, and surprisingly resourceful – because once they find out where they can get some food, they won’t give up easily.

The good news is that not every ant in the house disaster may require professional ant treatment – or at least not straight away. Because in many situations, there are some practical at-home remedies that are worth a quick shot.

We’ve compiled the 5 most realistic methods we can think of that really can help to reduce (and hopefully eliminate) ant activity – especially if you’ve caught the situation in its early stages.

1. Find and remove the food source

Before worrying about how to kill ants, start with the reason they’re there in the first place…

Because ants don’t wander around randomly. They follow scent trails to reliable food sources:

Crumbs under appliances
Sticky spills
Pet bowls
Pantry goods that aren’t sealed properly – things like that.

Even something as simple as a sugary drink ring on a bench can attract them.

So:

Wipe down all surfaces thoroughly with warm, soapy water or a mild vinegar solution to remove scent trails.
Vacuum floors
Check under appliances
Store food in airtight containers.

Often, the simple act of removing access to food significantly reduces activity – and it can happen within a few days if you’re lucky.

2. Vinegar solution for scent trails

If you’re wondering how to get rid of ants inside your place, vinegar is one of the cheapest and simplest tools available. And you’ve probably got it in the cupboard already!

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle
Apply it directly to visible ant trails, entry points, and surfaces where they’ve been active.

Vinegar won’t necessarily kill the colony, but it will disrupt the chemical trail ants rely on to navigate. This can break the chain between the nest and the food source, reducing the number returning to your kitchen or bathroom.

3. Bicarb & sugar bait method

One common DIY method for getting rid of ants involves a simple mix of baking soda (bicarb) and sugar.

Combine equal parts bicarb and sugar
Place small amounts near areas where ants are active.

The sugar will attract them, and the bicarb will interfere with their digestive systems once they’ve gobbled it up. Sure, it’s not always instant, but it can reduce small colonies over time.

But keep in mind, this approach works best when you’re targeting minor infestations – it’s not going to be great for those established nests hidden in the walls or under slabs.

4. Seal entry points

Wondering how to get rid of ants in house situations when they just keep coming back, time after time after time? The issue may well be access.

So, inspect your:

Window frames
Door gaps
Wall cracks
Plumbing penetrations.

Because even tiny openings can become highways for ants. Applying some silicone sealant – even weather stripping where needed – can dramatically reduce ant re-entry.

It won’t remove an existing colony – that’s for sure. But it does prevent new scouts from establishing fresh trails inside your home, which is worth a lot.

5. Commercial ant baits (Used correctly)

For more persistent activity, commercial bait stations are often the best way to get rid of ants without professional treatment.

Unlike surface sprays – which kill the visible ants but leave the colony completely intact – bait products are designed to be carried back to the nest. That means you’re targeting the actual source rather than just the symptoms.

The key, though, is patience. It may actually look like there are more ants at first – but that’s because they’re having a feed and then returning to the colony.

Just avoid spraying over bait stations, as this can disrupt the process.

When DIY methods aren’t enough

Have you tried these sorts of steps, and the ants simply keep returning? It’s probably the case that the colony is well established in your:

Wall cavities
Garden beds
Roof voids
Or underground – near the foundations.

Unfortunately, professional ant control is probably going to be necessary.

But the good news is that pest technicians approach the issue differently than DIY treatments. Because rather than only focusing on the visible trails, we:

Identify the ant species (different species require different strategies)
Locate nesting sites
Apply targeted treatments internally and externally
Use residual barriers to prevent reinfestation
Provide longer-term management solutions.

Some species – such as coastal brown ants or black house ants – can establish multiple satellite nests, which makes full elimination difficult without a lot of experience and the right products.

If you’re still unsure about how to kill ants effectively after trying home remedies, a professional inspection can save time, frustration, and repeated short-term fixes.

The bigger picture: Prevention matters

A big take-home message is that preventing future infestations is just as important as eliminating the current one.

Simple habits help:

Keep food sealed and benches clean
Rinse recycling before storing
Trim vegetation touching exterior walls
Ensure bins have tight-fitting lids
Schedule routine pest inspections if ant issues are recurring.

Understanding how to get rid of ants inside your home is one part of the equation. Preventing their return is what keeps your property comfortable long term.

Need help with persistent ants?

If home remedies aren’t solving the problem at your place, Dale’s Pest Control provides safe, targeted ant treatments across Brisbane Northside.

Whether you’re dealing with a small kitchen invasion or ongoing activity around your property, we’ll assess the situation and recommend a treatment plan designed for your specific home.

For expert advice and reliable ant control in Albany Creek, Burpengary, Caboolture, Deception Bay, Indooroopilly and beyond, call today – or you can request your obligation-free quote online. Let’s get your home ant-free – properly and safely.