Ants Living In Walls? Here Is Our Guide On How To Deal With Them
1. What ant species live in walls, and what do they eat
There are a variety of ants that you can find living in walls. These include carpenter ants, sugar ants (a common ant species), and Pharaoh ants.
Each type of ant lives in different conditions and feeds on different things.
Carpenter ants live in moist wood and can even eat the wood itself. Sugar ants live in sweet food and drink spills.
Pharaoh ants live in warm, dry environments and eat anything from meat to sweets.
It is fair to say that most ants will eat sweet stuff if they are available, so it is essential to keep your kitchen and other areas of your home clean and free of food spills.
Ants in your walls could indicate that a food source is easy to access near the infestation.
Find it, and remove it.
2. Signs of an ant infestation in your walls
Ants marching in single file lines from inside your wall (visible ant trails)
Small mounds of soil near the wall.
Piles near your wall that look a little like sawdust.
Flying winged ants inside your home.
A few ants are coming from the external-facing side of the wall.
4. How to get rid of ants in the wall permanently
Ant traps. Ant traps with pesticides are the easiest way to get rid of ants in wall spaces. The ants will pick up the bait and take it back to their nest, killing multiple ants with just one trap.
Remove the food source.Ants are attracted to food, so remove all food sources from the vicinity of the ants in the wall. This is vital – if they can’t access food, there is no point in them being there!
Use a homemade solution. Mix a detergent solution (1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid to 1 quart of water) and spray it on the ants in the wall if you can get to them. If not, spray all ants that you can see. Other ingredients that are good to get rid of ants are vinegar and lemon.
Use a pesticide spray. Spray a pesticide (such as Raid) on the ants in the wall. If it is a significant infestation, you might want to consider drilling a hole big enough to spray pesticides into the wall to get better access to the nest.
Seal off entry points. Use caulk or expanding foam to seal off any entry points that ants may be using to get into your wall. Ants are tiny, and it is easy for them to find a way in and out, but by limiting this, you reduce the chances of them getting in and out of your walls.
5. DIY methods for getting rid of ants in your home
I said it a few times, but the best way to get rid of ants in your home is to find the nest and destroy it.
Usually, I would pour boiling water over the nest, but I don’t recommend that for an ant nest in your wall!
You can use the following items to get rid of ants:
Spray with soap – as I mentioned above, use a spray with water and soap and apply generously.
7. Prevention tips to keep ants out of your home
There are many ways to keep ants out of your home. For example, some people use chemical deterrents, while others use natural methods.
There are also several everyday household items you can use to keep ants away.
Here are some tips to keep ants out of your home:
Close entry points: This is vital. Close off the entry points, and they can’t get into your home.
Remove things they are attracted to: This includes food and water. Remove easy access to pet food. Try not to leave pet food in bowls for long periods, especially if you will not be at home.
Use chemical deterrents: Many products on the market can be used to deter ants from entering your home. Products like Terro work by luring the ants to a bait station, where they will then die.
Use natural methods: If you don’t want to use chemicals, you can use natural methods to keep ants out of your home. One way is to sprinkle cinnamon or black pepper around the entrances to your home. You can also put Vaseline around the edges of your doors and windows.
Clean regularly: Ants leave trails for other ants to follow, usually food.
Can ants live in walls?
Yes, ants can live in walls. There are several different types of ants that you can find living in walls. These include carpenter ants, sugar ants, and Pharaoh ants.
You have to think about why ants want to live in your walls. To do that, you need to understand what attracts ants. The two most obvious things that attract ants are food and water. If you give ants easy access to either of those, then there is a chance that you will have an ant infestation within your walls.
If you get them in your wall, there is a possibility that you may get ants in your carpet too. Another reason to get rid of them asap!
Conclusion
Ants are one of the most common household pests, and they can be found living in walls. They will usually come out during warm weather to find food or water.
Springtime is the start of most peoples ant problem!
To keep ants out of your home, it is essential to close off entry points and remove things that ants may be attracted to (including pet food).
You should also use chemical deterrents or natural methods for getting rid of ants from your home.
Remember: when removing ants from wall space, seal up any opening left behind, so ants don’t return!
After spending the entire night lying awake in a cockroach-infested hotel, I have driven myself to build knowledge on all things pest control. Since then, I've tested pest control techniques to see what works and what doesn't. Now, here I am giving you all the info I have learned!
