Discover Why Tiny Ants Are In Your House And How To Instantly Kill Them

Written by Kayeleen Parsons
Updated: October 9, 2023
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Ants might be one of the most remarkable insect species in the entire animal kingdom. Evolving 140 million years ago, believe it or not, this fascinating creature has grown into a mind-blowing estimate of 22,000 species of its kind. Their complex social behaviors, impressive strength, and relentless work ethic have captivated the minds of scientists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Therefore, watching ants go about their daily routines can be a peaceful and fascinating experience, providing a sense of connection to the natural world. However, there is nothing more frustrating than seeing hundreds of ants marching across your kitchen counter, making their way to your pantry, or hiding in every nook and cranny in all areas of your living space…Talk about a home invasion!

Not only are these ants a nuisance, but they can also contaminate your food and even cause damage to your home. So, why are these tiny ants in your home, and what can you do to evict them? This blog post will provide reasons why ants may be invading your space and provide you with effective strategies to get rid of them.

Why Tiny Ants Are In Your Home

Ants enter homes for a variety of reasons. The most common causes include the following:

Food: Scavengers by nature, these insects are constantly looking for sustenance, which is why they are so resourceful. Because they have a great sense of smell, even the tiniest crumb left behind, these house ants will be sure to smell any food source from a great distance. They especially favor sugary treats like honey or maple syrup. These nectars provide an abundance of energy, allowing them to continue to provide food for the queen and her colony.

Water: Like all living organisms, ants need water to survive. They will look for any water sources, including dripping faucets and leaky pipelines. If your home provides a consistent water supply, it will attract the attention of ants.

Shelter: Ants require a safe and secure environment to build and reproduce. They will look for warm, damp, and dark areas to establish their population. These environments include voids in walls, crawl areas, and even electrical equipment.

Scent Trails: Ants release scent molecules called Pheromones. If they discover a consistent food source in your home, they will follow the scent trail back to their nest. Thus, attracting more ants, resulting in a steady stream moving along the same path.

Scouting: Ants are highly structured social insects. They send out scouts to look for new food sources and possible nesting sites. If a scout discovers something of interest, it will alert the rest of the colony of its findings.

How To Get Rid Of Tiny Ants In Your Home

Once you’ve discovered an invasion, there are many ways to get rid of tiny ants in your house:

Cleanliness: One of the most effective ways to get rid of ants is to keep your house clean and tidy. This includes routinely wiping down surfaces, sweeping floors, and washing utensils. Keeping food in airtight containers and tightly sealing garbage bags will discourage ants from entering your home by removing possible food sources.

Natural Remedies: If you are against strong chemicals and prefer using a more natural substance, You can ward off these pesky pests by using vinegar, lemon juice, or essential oils like peppermint or tea tree oil. Because these liquids have potent scents, ants find these smells repulsive. One can spray these natural liquids around ant colonies to deter them from entering your home.

lemon balm gets rid of ants

Get rid of ants in your home with melissa (lemon balm) essential oil.

©iStock.com/Madeleine_Steinbach

Borax: Borax is a mineral that occurs naturally and is commonly used as a cleaning agent. Therefore, It can also be used to eliminate insects. To attract these ants’ attention, mix borax with a combination of sugar or honey. The sweet mixture will attract the ants, and once they consume it, the borax will kill them.

Ant Baits: Ant baits are an efficient method of ant control. These lures contain a slow-acting poison that ants return to their colony with. The poison will kill the ants and ultimately destroy the colony. You can buy ant baits at any hardware store, or you can find a wide range of choices on the internet at online shops.

Chemical Treatments: If all else fails, you can resort to chemical treatments. One should only use these treatments as a last resort since they can be harmful to pets and humans if not used properly. Suppose you need assistance with how to use these toxic chemicals or need to know where to find the areas these ants have infested. Instead, hire a professional exterminator to apply these chemicals for you. In addition, this will save you time and money and give you peace of mind that the ant infestation in your home has been eradicated.

Furthermore, these tiny ants are harmless and are there to play an essential role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. In addition, if you don’t want these six-legged creatures invading your space, prevention is vital to avoiding future infestations.

Where Are Tiny Ants Coming From?

little black ant

The little black ant (

Monomorium minimum

) is native to North America, has a shiny black color, workers that are about 1 to 2 mm long, and a queen that is 4 to 5 mm long. It is a monomorphic species, with only one caste of worker, and polygyne, meaning a nest may have more than one queen.

©iStock.com/Rahmat M Pandi

Tiny ants are known to nest in numerous places, such as masonry and woodwork around your house or building, in the debris that may be in your yard, and in the soil around the area. While they prefer to live outside, they will also seek shelter in dark, protected places and can be found in your walls, or even the areas around carpets and walls.

These little black ants may enter a residence in search of food and water, and if you find yourself with an infestation, it is likely due to improper food storage or a water source within reach. They can enter through small cracks in the walls, windowsills, and doors and are most often found in the kitchen, crawling on counters and cabinets, or bathrooms.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/stockfotocz


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About the Author

Kayeleen Parsons is a writer at A-Z Animals that thoroughly enjoys writing about animals of all types. She has a love for many animals, but her Cocker Spaniel dog holds a special place in her heart. In addition to being a writer, she's also an English teacher, sharing her knowledge to help her students become excellent in the language and literature. When she's not busy writing, Kayeleen enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family in her homeland of Cape Town.

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