You Didn't Invite Them To Your Kitchen, But Ants Keep Coming. Here's The Real Reason Why
Think like an ant!
Just when you think you've won the war against ants, they stage a comeback — right next to your clean sink or on the kitchen counter you just wiped
Image via IPM
And no, it's not always because you left food out.
Even if your home is spotless, ants might still show up for a few less obvious reasons — they're after water, scent residue, or even just shelter. Plus, if there's a colony nearby, your kitchen might be a convenient highway in their daily food-hunting routine.
Ants are following invisible trails, not messes, and these trails can linger even after cleaning
Image via Pest Pros
When a scout ant finds something useful (sugar, oil, or even a droplet of water), it leaves a scent trail called a pheromone. This trail leads the rest of the colony right to the source.
Problem is, even a super tiny residue like grease vapour near the stove or sugary splashes under the kettle can trigger these trails. And unless you break the scent path, the ants will keep coming back like clockwork.
In Malaysia's humid heat, ants are often searching for moisture
That's why they show up near sinks, water filters, dish towels, or sponges, especially if these areas stay damp.
Make it less inviting by:
- Wringing out sponges and cloths after use
- Wiping down sink edges and drips
- Avoiding standing water in trays under drying racks
This simple switch-up can seriously reduce ant traffic.
Using vinegar sprays can help disrupt their scent trail, but it's not a one-and-done trick
Image via Freepik
A basic 1:1 mix of vinegar and water in a spray bottle can break down the chemical trails ants follow. Focus on spraying along counters, window edges, or any regular "ant roads".
But vinegar fades fast! You'll need to reapply it often, especially after you clean with soap or water. If the smell's too strong, add lemon juice or a few drops of essential oil to make it less pungent.
Yes, ants hate strong scents, especially from oils like peppermint, clove, or tea tree. But they also fade quickly!
Here's a simple DIY spray:
- 10 – 15 drops peppermint oil
- 1 cup water
- Shake and spray along baseboards, wall edges, and suspected entry points
It won't kill them, but can temporarily confuse their scent signals.
Old-school but still kinda effective: drawing chalk lines or sprinkling baby powder where ants enter can mess with their tiny feet and make them turn around
Image via USA Today
It's not a permanent fix, but it can buy you time while you seal entry points or sort out moisture issues. Stick to powder-based options — they're easier to clean up and more effective for indoor use.
At the end of the day, if you don't block off entry points, even the best hacks won't last
Think like an ant. Look for tiny gaps near windows, pipes, plug points, or behind cabinets. That's probably how they're getting in. Plus, real talk, in Malaysia, there's no such thing as a truly ant-free home.
But with these simple scent-based tricks and a bit of ant psychology, you can hopefully stop your kitchen from becoming their lepak spot.
