Best Way to Get Rid of Ants Permanently

Seeing ants in your home can be frustrating.
Sprays and powders may kill the ants you see, but the problem often comes back.
Knowing the best way to get rid of ants permanently can save your home from repeated infestations and headaches.
Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Why Permanent Ant Control Matters

Ants live in colonies. Killing a few ants you see does not remove the nest.
If the nest is still inside walls, under floors, or outside near your home, ants will return.

Even a small group of ants can grow fast. Worker ants bring food to the colony. New queens can make more nests. This can cause damage to your home and keep the problem coming back.

If you live in Plainfield, IL, especially in homes with older wood, cracks, or trees near the house, permanent control is very important.

Step 1: Identify the Type of Ant

Not all ants are the same. Some are just annoying, while others can damage your home.

Common ants in Plainfield homes:

• Carpenter ants – Can damage wood if left untreated

• Odorous house ants – Like sweets and crumbs

• Pavement ants – Usually outside but come in for food

Knowing the type of ant helps you choose the right way to remove them.

Step 2: Find the Nest

The nest is where the ants live. To remove ants permanently, you must find the nest.

Nests can be:

• Inside walls or under baseboards

• Under pavement or outdoor landscaping

• Near sinks, leaky pipes, or gutters

Sometimes nests are hidden. Professionals can find them easier than DIY methods.

Step 3: Remove Food Sources

Ants come for food. You can stop them by cleaning your home:

• Wipe up crumbs and spills right away

• Keep food in sealed containers

• Clean pet food bowls

• Take out trash daily and keep bins closed

A clean home makes it easier to get rid of ants.

Step 4: Use Ant Baits

Ant baits are better than sprays.

• Worker ants carry the bait back to the nest

• It kills the whole colony over time

• Reduces the chance ants return

Sprays only kill the ants you see. They do not solve the problem.

Step 5: Seal Entry Points

Stop ants from coming back by closing gaps:

• Around doors and windows

• In floor cracks and baseboards

• Around pipes and utility lines

Older homes in Plainfield often have small cracks that let ants in.

Step 6: Preventive Treatments

The best way to stop ants is to prevent them:

• Regular ant control every few months

• Outdoor treatments around your home

• Fix leaks and moisture problems

• Target nests inside walls

This keeps your home ant-free for the long term.

Why DIY Methods Often Fail

Trying to get rid of ants on your own can feel frustrating. You spray or use powders, and for a little while, it seems like the problem is gone. But soon, the ants come back, sometimes in even bigger numbers.

This happens because sprays only kill the ants you see. The main nest, where the queen and most ants live, is still hidden inside walls, under floors, or outside near your home. If the nest is not treated, the ants will keep coming back, day after day.

Many people also make mistakes without knowing it. Using the wrong products, missing spots, or not sealing cracks where ants enter can actually make the problem worse. Some sprays even scatter the ants, causing them to start new nests in other parts of your home. That can feel hopeless when you just want your home clean and peaceful.

DIY methods cannot reach the queen or the whole colony. Without getting rid of the queen, worker ants will keep bringing food to the nest and multiplying. That’s why you may feel like you are fighting ants forever, no matter how many sprays you use.

Professional help changes everything. Experts can figure out what type of ant is causing the problem, find hidden nests, and use safe treatments that reach the whole colony. They can also show you how to stop ants from coming back. With the right help, you don’t just see fewer ants—you can finally feel safe and comfortable in your home again.

Signs You Need Professional Help in Plainfield

Not all ant problems are easy to see at first. Sometimes, by the time you notice them, the ants have already started causing damage. Knowing when to call a professional can save you a lot of stress, money, and time.

You should consider calling a pest expert if you notice:

• Ant trails inside your home, especially in the kitchen or bathroom

• Lots of ants indoors, even after trying sprays or powders

• Winged ants in spring, which means a colony is already growing

• Wood damage, especially from carpenter ants

• Ants coming back again and again, despite your efforts

Ignoring these signs can make the problem worse. Ants can damage wood, spoil food, and create messy infestations. In Plainfield, the humid summers and wet springs make it easier for ants to thrive, so acting quickly is important.

A professional inspection can also give you peace of mind. Experts can find hidden nests, check for moisture problems, and see where ants are getting inside your home—like cracks in doors, windows, or the foundation. With their help, you can stop the ants before they cause serious damage and feel safe in your home again.

How to Prevent Ants

Stopping ants before they become a problem is always better than dealing with them again and again. A few simple steps can make a big difference:

• Fix leaks quickly – Ants love moisture. Check around sinks, basements, and pipes.

• Replace rotting wood – Carpenter ants and other ants are attracted to old, decayed wood.

• Seal cracks around windows and doors – Close the small gaps where ants can enter your home.

• Keep firewood away from your home – Store it off the ground and away from walls.

• Trim tree branches touching your roof – Trees can act as bridges for ants to get inside.

• Clean regularly – Wipe up spills, crumbs, and pet food right away to remove food sources.

Doing these steps with professional inspections can help keep your Plainfield home ant-free all year. Experts also suggest seasonal check-ups, especially after wet springs or humid summers, when ants are most active.

Final Thoughts

Ants can be very persistent. Sprays from the store might help for a short time, but they rarely stop the problem completely.

The best way to get rid of ants permanently is simple but careful:

1. Identify the type of ant

2. Find the nest

3. Use safe, targeted treatments

4. Take preventive steps to stop ants from coming back

For homeowners in Plainfield, IL, calling a professional is the most reliable way to protect your home. Contact Sanctuary Pest Control today to inspect your home, treat any ant infestations, and help you keep your house safe, clean, and ant-free all year.