How to Get Rid of Ants by Cleaning Your Kitchen
Ant infestations in Toronto homes peak in spring and summer. Ants enter in search of food and water, leave pheromone trails for other ants to follow, and establish nests near food sources. Eliminating the food sources and disrupting the chemical trails through cleaning is the essential foundation — pest control alone without cleaning just temporarily reduces numbers while the conditions remain.
Why Cleaning Matters for Ants
A single crumb is enough to attract ants. Even invisible food residue — grease films on counters, sticky residue under appliances, food particles in cabinet hinges — is detected by ants within hours. Eliminating every food signal is what makes a kitchen inhospitable.
Immediate Steps When You See Ants
- Wipe the trail with soapy water: This destroys the pheromone trail. Mix dish soap and water in a spray bottle and wipe every surface where you've seen ants. Repeat until no more ants appear following the same path.
- Find and seal the entry point: Follow the trail to where ants are entering — usually a gap at the base of a window frame, a small crack in the baseboard, or a gap around a pipe under the sink. Seal with silicone caulk.
- Remove all food sources: Transfer everything in pantry to sealed containers. Even items in cardboard boxes — ants get through cardboard. Zip-lock bags and rigid containers are ant-proof.
Deep Clean the Kitchen
- Under appliances: Pull out the stove and fridge. Crumbs and grease accumulate under these and are impossible to see without moving them. Clean the floor thoroughly and wipe the appliance bases.
- Inside cabinets: Remove everything and wipe every shelf and corner. Food crumbs in cabinet corners are a primary attractant. Use white vinegar on the shelves after cleaning — the scent disrupts the pheromone trails for a few days.
- Counters and backsplash: Clean daily with an all-purpose cleaner. Pay attention to the back corners and edges where crumbs collect.
- Drain: Food residue in the kitchen drain is a food source. Run hot water and dish soap weekly; use an enzymatic drain cleaner monthly.
- Recycling and compost bins: These are primary ant attractants if left unsealed. Rinse containers before recycling, use a compost bin with a tight-fitting lid, and empty frequently.
Ongoing Prevention
- Wipe counters after every use — especially after cooking
- Never leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight
- Keep pet food bowls clean and don't leave food out between meals
- Fix any dripping taps — ants need water and are attracted to moisture under sinks
- Apply a line of food-grade diatomaceous earth along entry points as a physical deterrent
A deep clean eliminates the hidden food sources that sustain ant activity. Book a Maidless deep clean at maidless.ca.