How to Keep Ants Out of Your Kitchen This Summer
Summer in Florida: the sun is shining, the sweet tea is flowing, and unfortunately… so are the ants. Every year like clockwork, these tiny home invaders march straight into your kitchen like they own the place.
At Westfall’s Pest Control, we’ve seen it all — sugar trails across countertops, full-scale pantry invasions, and ant conga lines leading straight to the cookie jar. So, how do you stop the madness?
Glad you asked.
🐜 Why Ants Love Your Kitchen
Let’s be honest — your kitchen is an all-you-can-eat buffet from an ant’s point of view. All it takes is a crumb, a drip of juice, or an unsealed bag of snacks, and suddenly you’re hosting the Ant Olympics.
Ants are driven by scent trails — once one scout ant finds food, it leaves a pheromone path back to the nest. Then, boom. You’ve got a parade.
Florida’s high humidity also pushes ants indoors to escape the heat and find moisture, especially in summer.
👀 Common Culprits
These are the usual suspects in Florida homes:
Ghost ants – Tiny, fast, and sugar-hungry
Argentine ants – Aggressively form large colonies
Carpenter ants – Big, bold, and potentially damaging to wood structures
No matter the species, they all want the same thing: your snacks.
🧼 5 Easy Ways to Make Your Kitchen Ant-Proof
Here’s how to kick them out — and keep them out — without declaring war:
1. Seal the Entry Points
Check around windows, baseboards, doors, and plumbing. If you can see light or feel a draft, ants can get in. Use caulk or weather stripping to block their favorite doorways.
2. Wipe Up Like a Pro
Crumbs, spills, and even invisible sticky spots are ant magnets. Wipe counters, sweep floors, and clean up pet food bowls regularly. Bonus tip: clean with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution to destroy ant scent trails.
3. Store Food Like You Mean It
Keep pantry items sealed in airtight containers. Cereal boxes, chip bags, and sugar jars are basically billboards for ants.
4. Take Out the Trash (Yes, Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)
A full garbage can is a five-star restaurant for ants. Don’t give them a reason to RSVP.
5. Fix Leaks Fast
Ants aren’t just after sugar — they need water too. Repair any leaky faucets or pipes, especially under sinks or behind appliances.
🚫 Make This the Summer You Say “Not Today, Ants.”
📞 Call us today
Westfall’s Pest Control – Keeping Florida homes pest-free (and snack-safe) since day one.