How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Apartment

Ants usually find their way into an apartment while searching for food, water, or shelter, and if you spot a couple of these crawlers, an infestation can happen fast. If you’re seeing ants in your apartment, there are several apartment-friendly methods you can try to get rid of these pests. This article covers at-home remedies for ants, ways to prevent an infestation, and when to contact your landlord.

Why Do I Have Ants in My Apartment?

There are multiple reasons why you might be seeing ants in your apartment. Here are a few of the most common reasons:

• Exposed food or crumbs
• Pet food
• Standing water or leaks
• Gaps in caulking or weather stripping
• An infestation in a neighboring unit
• Extreme weather (such as heat, heavy rain, or drought) can push ants indoors

What Does an Ant Infestation in an Apartment Look Like?

Spotting a couple of ants here and there in your kitchen is different from a consistent trail along your windowsill. If you notice multiple ants each day in the same spot or trails in different areas of your apartment, it might be a sign of infestation. If you find ants throughout your apartment and at-home remedies aren’t working, you should notify your landlord immediately.

While there are many different pests that can make their way into your apartment, certain types of ants are more common than others. These are the types of ants renters may find in their apartment:

• Odorous house ants (sugar ants)- This is the most common type of ant found in an apartment because they are attracted to sugary smells and moisture.
• Carpenter ants- These ants may be found around damaged wood or near cracks around apartment doors and windows.
• Pavement ants- While uncommon, these usually outdoor living ants can find their way indoors during extreme weather.

Although there are plenty of ways these pests can find their way into your apartment, there are just as many ways to help prevent an ant infestation.

How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Apartment

If you see a couple of ants in your apartment, there are best practices you can apply to your apartment and home remedies you can use before escalating the problem to your landlord or exterminator.

1. Clean your apartment thoroughly

Before you start looking into how to get rid of ants in your apartment, a thorough deep clean might be in order.

Like most pests, ants are attracted to food and debris that might be left out in a messy apartment. Giving your apartment a good deep clean could be all that’s necessary to rid your space of an ant problem.

2. Make sure all your food is secure

While ants usually move inside due to weather conditions, they’re much more likely to set up camp if there’s an ample food supply available. Ants are tiny, so it doesn't take much stray food to keep them happy. If you’ve got an ant problem, check your pantry and cabinets to be sure that all containers and bags of food are tightly sealed and clean. If you have pets, store their food in an air-tight container off the floor. A bag of kibble is practically an open invitation to ants.

3. Check windows and doors

More often than not, the ants in your apartment come through leaky weather sealing or caulking, typically around a door or window. If you can, follow the trail of ants to where they’re coming from and you might find a compromised seal. Whether it’s the window surround or the weather stripping, new caulking or rubber sealant can fix the problem.

4. Lemon juice

There are plenty of natural pest repellents to explore before you go spraying your home with harsh chemicals. Lemon juice acts as a natural deterrent for ants, disrupting the scent trail that allows others to follow their path. Spray some lemon juice around any entry points, like windows and doors, and pay special attention to any cracks or holes in the exterior of your home. Lemon juice also makes a fantastic repellent if you’re dealing with roaches.

5. Essential oils

Essential oils have several uses around the home, including removing ants from your apartments. Cinnamon oil and peppermint oil are two well-documented natural repellents. Add a few drops of either oil to a spray bottle of water and apply to the suspected entry points. Peppermint oil has also been shown to be effective against mice too.

When Should I Notify My Landlord About Ants?  

A few ants in your apartment isn’t the end of the world, but if the problem persists, or you’re experiencing large numbers of the pests calling your apartment home, it may be time to get ahold of your landlord. After all, the ants in your apartment may be overflowing from a neighboring unit, or, you may be the point of entry, and the ants are spreading throughout the building.

Keep your landlord up to date so that management can step in when necessary and exterminate or arrange pest control if needed. A persistent ant problem is usually your landlord’s responsibility to fix, so keeping them updated with any issues is important to ridding the building for good. In addition to exterminating the pests, certain ants can cause structural damage, so it’s important to address potential infestations quickly.

What If I’m Seeing Ants in a New Apartment?

If you notice ants while moving into your new apartment, let your landlord know before you move your belongings into the unit. Usually, pest infestations in a new apartment happen due to the unit’s previous inhabitants, building construction or landscaping, or any food residue.

Before you unpack your things, conduct a move-in checklist. Wipe down the cabinets and countertops, ensure that all windows and doors are sealed, and document any ant trails you find to show your landlord.

Find a New Apartment on Apartments.com

If you’re looking for a new apartment, Apartments.com is the best place to find an apartment that fits your needs. Renters can search for apartments by price, amenities, and move-in specials. Start your apartment search on Apartments.com today!

This article was originally published on October 15, 2019 by Jake Margle and has been updated.