What’s the best way to get rid of ants in my home?
To get rid of ants effectively, start by removing what attracts them. Clean up any food crumbs or spills and store pantry items in sealed containers. Next, block their entry by sealing cracks and gaps around your home where ants may be coming in. One of the most effective strategies is to use ant baits. The worker ants take the bait back to their colony, eliminating the queen and the whole nest over time. Avoid just spraying ants you see – that might kill a few, but it won’t wipe out the colony. Consistency is key: keep surfaces clean and consider a professional treatment if the infestation persists to ensure the ants are gone for good.

Why are ants suddenly appearing in my kitchen or bathroom?
Ants can seem to appear out of nowhere in kitchens or bathrooms because those rooms give them what they want: food, water, and shelter. Even a spotless kitchen might have tiny crumbs, sugary spills, or damp areas under a sink that attract scout ants. Bathrooms provide moisture from sinks and tubs that ants need, especially in dry times. Often, a sudden ant invasion happens when a colony’s scouts discover a reliable food or water source in your home and then leave a pheromone trail to invite the rest. Changes in weather can also play a role – heavy rain or heat can drive ants indoors in search of better conditions. It’s usually not a reflection on your housekeeping; it’s about ants seeking essentials for their colony.

What kills ants the fastest inside a house?
The quickest way to kill ants inside is to use a direct-contact insecticide or ant spray – these products will knock down ants immediately when you spray them. Even household solutions like a soapy water mixture can kill ants on contact by breaking down their exoskeleton. However, while sprays and other instant killers get rid of the ants you see, they don’t eliminate the colony hiding somewhere in walls or outdoors. For a fast reduction and long-term control, you can wipe up the ants you find and then place ant bait stations. The baits work a bit slower, but they’re the best way to kill the entire ant colony so new ants stop appearing. In summary: sprays kill the ants you see right away, but baits (and professional treatments) ensure they’re gone for good.

How can I tell the difference between carpenter ants and regular ants?
Carpenter ants are quite a bit larger than most “regular” ants you see around the house. A carpenter ant worker is usually about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, often black or black and red in color, whereas common ants like odorous house ants or pavement ants are much smaller (around 1/8 inch or less). If you look closely, carpenter ants have a single bump (node) on their waist and a smoothly curved, almost heart-shaped head. One big clue is where you find them: carpenter ants like to nest in wood and may leave small piles of sawdust-like frass (chewed wood debris) near hollowed-out wood areas. So, if you’re noticing large black ants especially around wooden parts of your home (like the deck or inside wall voids), there’s a good chance they are carpenter ants rather than typical sugar ants. In contrast, the tiny brown or black ants trailing to the crumbs in your kitchen are likely everyday house ants, not carpenters.

What’s a natural way to get rid of ants without using harsh chemicals?
There are several natural, low-chemical approaches to tackle an ant problem. Start by cleaning with a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution on countertops and along ant trails – vinegar wipes away the scent trails that ants follow and helps deter new ones. You can also use natural repellents like peppermint oil or citrus oil: soak a cotton ball and wipe it around entry points (ants dislike those strong smells). Sprinkling food-grade diatomaceous earth near ant entryways is another chemical-free option; it’s a powdery natural mineral that damages ants’ exoskeletons and eventually kills them, but it’s non-toxic to people and pets. Additionally, simple steps like sealing up cracks and crevices and keeping food tightly sealed go a long way without any pesticides. Remember, natural methods may take a bit more time and consistency, but they can be effective and are much safer for your home and family.

Are ants a year-round problem in Washington and Oregon?
Here in the Pacific Northwest, ants can indeed be a year-round nuisance, though their activity levels do vary by season. Our winters in western Oregon and Washington tend to be relatively mild, which means ants don’t always die off or go fully dormant like they might in colder climates. It’s not unusual to spot ants indoors even in the rainy winter months, as they seek food and shelter from the elements (especially in heated homes). That said, ant activity usually peaks in late spring and summer when colonies are growing and foraging heavily. In cities like Portland or Olympia, homeowners often see the biggest ant invasions in spring, but you should still stay vigilant all year. Keeping up with preventative measures and year-round pest control can ensure those tiny invaders don’t catch you by surprise in any season.