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How to get rid of ants

Pest dust is applied along the edge of the garden bed and pavement.

Overview

Ants can be more than just an annoyance – they can contaminate food and quickly become a persistent problem if not addressed properly. With a few simple steps, you can get rid of ants both inside and outside your home, making your space more comfortable and pest-free. Here's how to do it.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. 

Steps

  1. 1

    Keep clean

    Ants are typically drawn to food, moisture, and warmth. If your home provides any of these, ants might find their way inside. The first step in controlling ants is to focus on prevention. Keeping your home clean is essential, so make sure you wipe down surfaces to remove crumbs and spills, and store food in airtight containers to eliminate their food sources.

    Bread crumbs are placed on a plate on a marble countertop
  2. 2

    Seal any entry points

    It’s also important to inspect for entry points around windows, doors, and walls where ants might be sneaking inside, and seal them up where possible. Sealing gaps around doors and windows is a fairly easy process and will make all the difference. 

    Ants are visible on a dirt surface
  3. 3

    Find and treat the nest

    If ants have already invaded your home, don’t worry – there are effective methods to deal with them. Start by observing the ants’ behaviour. They leave behind pheromone trails that lead to food or back to their nest. By following these trails, you can locate the source of the problem, which is usually a nest either inside or outside your home. 

    Once the nest is found, you can use products like dust or baits to tackle the infestation. Ant baits are particularly effective because they allow the ants to carry the poison back to the nest, targeting the entire colony. 

    Apply Ant Killer Dust along the edge of a garden bed
  4. 4

    Treat larger infestations

    For larger infestations, a direct treatment like a dust or spray can be applied to the nest. Make sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, especially if you have children or pets in the home, to ensure safe and effective use.
    Pest control products for ants, spiders, and cockroaches displayed on a countertop
  5. 5

    Create a protective barrier

    Preventing ants from returning is just as important as eliminating the ones already inside. Barrier sprays are a great option for creating an invisible line that ants won’t cross. Apply these sprays around the edges of windows, doors, and the foundation of your home to block entry points.
    A person is spraying pest control around a window frame outside a house
  6. 6

    Natural solutions

    If you’re looking for solutions that repel ants naturally, you can also plant strong-smelling plants like lavender, garlic, or mint near the perimeter of your home. Ants are naturally repelled by these scents, so having these plants close to windows or outdoor seating areas can deter ants naturally.
    A person showcases mint, lavender, and basil plants as natural ant repellents
  7. 7

    Looking for more ways to keep pests away from your home?

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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.