6 Habits That Are Secretly Inviting Ants into Your Kitchen—and How to Fix Them

Ants love to invade kitchens due to our everyday habits and oversights that turn the space into all-you-can-eat ant buffets. Spills or crumbs on the counter can entice ants to move in—and once they’ve arrived, they’re difficult to get rid of. Ants are typically most active from March to October, giving them plenty of time to cause chaos in your home.

Aside from being an annoyance, these tiny insects can contaminate food, spread bacteria, and be difficult to eliminate after they settle in, mainly because they travel in packs. However, once you know what’s luring them in, it’s easy to make changes and keep ants at bay. Keeping them out in the first place is far easier than dealing with an invasion. Here are a few sneaky ways you might be rolling out the red carpet for ants in your kitchen—what you should do instead.

1. Leaving Crumbs and Spills for Later

“Leaving behind crumbs, sugary spills, or uncovered food, especially on countertops or floors, can quickly attract ants,” explains Daniel Perry, an entomologist at Procter & Gamble.

Even if your kitchen looks spotless, crumbs and sticky spots often remain after cooking, eating, or having a quick snack. Sometimes, you might realize you’ve made a mess but choose to tackle it later, especially when you’re running late—we’ve all been there. However, knowing that you might return home to a bigger problem, such as an ant infestation, might motivate you to clean up right away.

What to do instead: “Wipe down surfaces regularly,” advises Perry. If you aren’t in the habit already, make sure you allot yourself time (just a minute or two is all you need) to clean the countertops after prepping or enjoying a meal. Pay close attention to corners, under appliances, and behind countertop clutter where crumbs tend to collect. If you ate at a dining table or the kitchen island, wipe that too. While some surfaces make spills and crumbs easy to see, others hide them. To be safe, use an all-purpose cleaner to scrub the area where you worked or ate. Spot clean the floor if you notice or suspect you dropped syrup while making pancakes.

2. Forgetting to Seal Food Containers

Open cereal boxes, an unsealed cracker container, and a torn candy bag are invitations for ants to swing on by. Overripe produce sitting open on the counter not only attracts fruit flies, but the aroma it gives off as it ferments is a signal for ants in search of some sugary energy.

“Different ants also like different things,” points out Perry. “For example, fire ants like meat and oil, which are commonly found in the kitchen.” While you likely would not intentionally leave meat out of the refrigerator for health reasons, consider this next time you temporarily set down your takeout container.

What to do instead: Perry’s suggestion is to “store food in sealed containers.” A chip clip might not be enough to do the trick, especially if you have a history of ants. You might find it’s worth decanting pantry goods like sugar, flour, and snacks into clear, airtight jars. Aim to keep as much produce in the fridge as possible, especially during peak ant season. If you love how accessible and attractive your fruit bowl is on the counter, check it daily and refrigerate anything that is starting to spoil. Store all meat, including leftovers, in the fridge and ensure that oil bottles are properly closed after use.

3. Letting Pet Food Bowls Linger

Perry explains that “forgotten pet food” is another magnet for ants. That’s right, your furry family member isn’t the only critter that loves to chow down. That bowl of kibble you leave out all day can attract a colony of ants, as they see it as a solid food source. Even if your pets finish every bite at breakfast, crumbs may still linger until dinner, enticing ants.

What to do instead: Aim to feed pets on a set schedule whenever possible, and remove the bowls after they eat. Clean the bowls and the area around them regularly to ensure no stray pieces of food or crumbs are left behind.

4. Neglecting to Tend to the Trash

Overflowing trash is yet another frequent ant attractor, says Perry. Ants are resourceful and can sniff out even the smallest scraps of food in your trash. If cans are left to spill over or aren’t sealed well, they can become a major hotspot for ant activity.

What to do instead: Empty your kitchen trash can regularly, even if your local garbage collection only happens once or twice a week. This way, the trash is at least out of your home, leaving fewer opportunities for an infestation. Always use cans with secure-fitting lids to make it more difficult for ants to access the contents. Additionally, wipe down the interior and exterior of the can periodically to remove any food residue, or clean it immediately if you notice a spill.

5. Ignoring Excess Moisture

Ants aren’t just after food; they also need water to survive. “Excess moisture from leaks or wet surfaces is also a common culprit,” Perry says. Drips from a leaky sink, damp sponges, or wet countertops can draw them in. If you tend to leave dirty dishes in the sink, ants will be equally drawn to the dampness and food residue.

What to do instead: Periodically check under sinks for leaks and repair them promptly. Keep sinks and counters dry after washing dishes, and store sponges and dishcloths so they can dry out quickly. Rinse dishes immediately after use and load them into the dishwasher or wash them by hand.

6. Thinking a Single Ant Isn’t an Issue

If you see one ant crawling across your kitchen, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just a harmless visitor. “If you see even a single ant in the home, take action right away,” warns Perry. “If it finds food, it will come back soon with many more following close behind.”

What to do instead: Don’t wait for more ants to show up before tackling the impending pest problem. Clean the area immediately, locate and block potential entry points, and use an insecticide if needed. “If ants make their way inside, Zevo’s Multi-Insect Killer spray can help as it’s designed to kill ants on contact, and is safe for use around people and pets when used as directed,” Perry adds.