How to Get Rid of Ants in Your House

By Nick, Active Termite Control, licensed pest controller (NSW licence 5074559), Earlwood. Updated 21 October 2026.

The short answer: Start by finding where the ants are getting in, cleaning up the trail and whatever they're after, and fixing any leaks. That sorts out a lot of ant problems. If they keep coming back, a general pest treatment covers ants: from $270 single storey or $300 two storey within 7 km of Earlwood, with a 6-month guarantee.

What can I do myself to get rid of ants?

Most ant problems start with food, water and a gap to get in through, so take away all three.

1. Find the way in. Follow the trail back to where it enters: a gap in the skirting, a window frame, a crack in the tiles, or under the door.
2. Clean the trail. Wipe it with soapy water. Ants follow the trail the others have laid, so cleaning it breaks the line.
3. Take away what they're after. Sugar, crumbs, pet food and the bin. Keep food sealed and wipe benches down at night.
4. Fix the water. Dripping taps, leaks under the sink and wet spots in the bathroom or laundry all draw ants.
5. Seal the gap they're using once you've found it.

When is it worth getting a treatment for ants?

It's worth a treatment when the ants keep coming back after you've cleaned up and sealed the gaps, or when they're coming in from more than one place. A treatment goes after the places they come from, not just the trail you can see.

Should I spray the ant trail before you come?

No. Don't spray the trails with a supermarket can in the days before I come. It scatters the ants and makes it harder for me to see where they're coming from. Note where you've seen them and when, and leave the trail for me to follow.

What does a general pest treatment for ants include?

A general pest treatment covers ants, along with spiders and large cockroaches. For ants, I spray along the exterior walls and around the doors and windows, where they find their way in, and along all the skirting boards inside.

General pest treatments come with a 6-month guarantee covering cockroaches, spiders and ants. If they come back within 6 months, call me and I'll come back and sort it out. Sometimes that means treating the problem area, sometimes doing the whole job again.

How do I get ready for an ant treatment?

• Pets: keep them away from the spray while it dries. Taking them for a walk for an hour is easiest.
• Washing: don't hang any on the line.
• Dog bowls: bring them inside, away from the areas being sprayed.
• Skirting boards: clear anything stacked against them so I can get to them.

Are they ants or termites?

Check the debris and, if they're flying, the wings and waist. Ant frass is fine, black and dusty; termite workings are solid brown mud. A flying ant has elbowed antennae, a pinched waist and front wings longer than the back wings. A flying termite has straight, bead-like antennae, a thick waist and four equal wings clearly longer than the body.

More on telling them apart: flying termites vs flying ants. If it looks like termites, don't spray. Termites aren't part of general pest control; start with a termite inspection.

Not sure what you've got?

Send me a photo and you'll get a likely answer. More on ant treatments on my ant control page.

Common questions

How do I get rid of ants in the house?
Find where they're getting in, clean the trail with soapy water, take away food and water, fix leaks, and seal the gap. If they keep coming back, book a treatment.

How much does an ant treatment cost?
My general pest treatment covers ants: $270 single storey or $300 two storey within 7 km of Earlwood, and $50 more beyond that.

Should I spray the ant trail before a treatment?
No. Spraying scatters the ants and makes it harder to find where they're coming from.

Is there a guarantee on ant treatment?
Yes. General pest treatments come with a 6-month guarantee. If ants come back within 6 months, I come back and sort it out.

How do I tell ants from termites?
Ant frass is fine, black and dusty; termite workings are solid brown mud. Flying ants have elbowed antennae and a pinched waist.