Eliminate an Ant Invasion in the Kitchen
Category: Pest Control ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Time: 2.2h ·
Estimated cost: $35
Tools needed
- Caulk gun
- Microfiber cloths
- Spray bottle
- Flashlight
Materials needed
- Liquid ant bait stations (6-pack) (1 pk)
- Terro ant gel (1 oz syringe) (2 ea)
- Diatomaceous earth (food grade) (1 bag)
- Clear silicone gap sealant (1 tube)
Execution steps
Don't spray — scout first
Resist Raid. Spraying kills scouts but the colony sends 10 more. Follow the trail back to the entry point with a flashlight.
Duration: 30 min
Place bait stations on the trail
Set bait stations directly on the ant trail. Workers carry the bait back and feed the queen. This kills the colony at the source.
Duration: 15 min
Dab gel at hot spots
Add small dabs of Terro gel at counter corners, under sinks, behind appliances. Don't cover entry points yet — they need to walk in.
Duration: 15 min
Wait 5 to 7 days
Activity often spikes for 2-3 days as the colony feeds, then drops to zero. Don't disturb the bait or wipe the trail.
Duration: 5 min
Seal entry points
Once the trail is gone, seal cracks at baseboards, under sinks, around plumbing penetrations with silicone.
Duration: 45 min
Diatomaceous earth perimeter
Dust food-grade DE along the foundation outside and behind appliances. It abrades exoskeletons and kills strays for months.
Duration: 20 min
Safety first
- Keep bait stations and gel out of reach of pets and kids — they contain insecticide.
- Use FOOD-GRADE diatomaceous earth, not pool-filter grade (pool-grade is dangerous to inhale).
When to hire a pro
Carpenter ants (large black ants with wings) — they tunnel wood. Get a pest control company to find and treat the colony.
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