Last Updated on September 25, 2022 by
Seeing ants in your sink isn’t always uncommon, especially if you leave it dirty and there are water and food remnants inside the pipes and on the sink. Ants are scavenger pests able to eat any human meal; they target the kitchen as it has a surplus of water and meals.
The reason why you have got ants in your kitchen sink is due to; stagnant water and crumbs of food everywhere. Sinks are susceptible to leaks, which causes small puddles that finally attract ants. Greasy and dirty dishes additionally play a big role in attracting ants.
However, having an ant infestation is disgusting and can be a health threat as they can be vectors of foodborne pathogens. Other dangers that ants can cause include attracting other pests and causing further damage to your house as they build their colonies.
Luckily, an ant infestation is controllable. Below we explain the numerous ways you could use to contain, reduce or terminate them from coming in or increasing in your sink and residence.
What are ants consuming in the drain?
Ants eat any leftover food we consume, such as meat, butter, proteins, sugars, and carbohydrates. However, some ants prefer some foods over others as their main purpose is to get their nutrients from leftovers. However, as soon as the food goes down the drain, it is tough for the ants to go after it because of the frequent water passing through it. Food in the sink or around the sink is fair game to ants.
Water is also critical to ants as they must hydrate their colony as they look for food. So, if your sink leaks, the puddles of water will attract ants.
What species of ants are determined around the skin?
Many different species of ants can be found in your kitchen, depending on your region. Some species are spread everywhere around the United States. To discover what species you have, you need to use an identification manual or app or seek professional assistance to figure out how to get rid of them.
How can I get rid of ants inside the kitchen sink?
There are various methods of eliminating ants; however, many people use an ant killer chemical to eliminate them. But, you have to be careful as chemicals are dangerous to your health, and using them on and around the sink can result in poisoning. Natural techniques are always the best as there is no health danger to you.
Alternatively, you can call a professional as they are highly qualified, equipped, and knowledgeable on the best methods to get rid of pests without inflicting damage to whatever else is around.
Nonetheless, here are some effective methods to consider:
Ways to get rid of ants in the kitchen sink;
1. Using ant killer spray
Ant killer sprays are available in different types; some do not have any odor and can be beneficial in areas like the kitchen. When you spray, the repellant irritates the ants, sending them away from your sink.
The downside is that ant killer spray has to come into contact with the pests if you want to kill them. All the ants coming touching the ant killer spray is hard to achieve. The colony would probably survive even after you have sprayed and killed more than half of the visible ants.
2. Using ant baits
Ant baits get rid of ants by interfering with their digestive system. You can get the already made baits such as TERRO prefilled liquid and killer II baits which are powerful on ants. It carries a candy liquid and borax that kills the ants when consumed. Alternatively, you can prepare the bait at home by mixing borax and sugar in a ratio of 1:3. Apply the mixture around the sink, and the ants will complexly back out.
You can also use diatomaceous food ingredients as the powder dehydrate ants’ internal fluids, killing them.
Generally, using bait is effective because ants will bring the bait into the colony, and they will all devour it and get poisoned immediately. Ants have a heightened love for sugary foods.
3. Domestic remedies
Keeping chemicals away from the kitchen is a good practice. Various domestic remedies might be at your disposal. These consist of:
- For ants coming from the kitchen drain, pour half a cup of baking soda inside the drain, then pour in 1/2 a cup of vinegar. Let the concoction stay in the drain for about 10 to 15 minutes. The mixture bubbles up and loosens the grease residue that ants are feeding on. After 10-15 minutes, pour in a cup of hot water to kill any surviving ants.
- Getting rid of ants in plain sight, such as those within the sink and no longer inside the sink drain, is less complicated. Mix dish cleaning soap and water and apply the mixture using a spray bottle all around the sink. The dish soap and water mixture kills the ants and maintains the sink area clean.
- Using cinnamon. Of all the house remedies, this is the easiest remedy to use. Ants hate the scent of cinnamon; as soon as it is applied around them, they will abandon the location. Cinnamon acts as a natural repellant. You can purchase other chemical repellants if you wish.
- Chalk and baby powder is another effective way to eliminate ants. Draw a line with the chalk or pour baby powder around the ants-infested area. Ants will keep away from walking over these products.
- Kitchen area discipline. This is more of a preventive approach than an extermination method. Cleansing the area around your kitchen very well and storing your food in sealed containers makes it hard for ants to get something to eat. When you have any leaky pipes, fix them and ensure that the floor and kitchen vicinity is dry.
- Emptying your trash cans often ensures that ants cannot get anything to feed on in your kitchen.
- Regions that collect and store moisture, like timber, can attract carpenter ants or termites. Maintain wood parts around your kitchen clean and dry to keep the ants away. Preventing the infestation is usually better than treating it.
- Blockading and closing any entry points. Ants can come from outside through cracks and gaps in your windows and partitions. Use a form of waterproof caulking sealant to shut those gaps.
- Water and salt mixture. Highly saturated saltwater kills’ ants when it comes into contact with them.
- Call an exterminator. You may get an exterminator to eliminate the ant infestation when you have tried all other ways, and they are not working.
- Use an ant trap. Various ant traps are available to you; store-bought traps may work better than homemade traps. This technique is slow and may not be as effective as other techniques.
N/B: It is vital to note that; using herbal and chemical solutions simultaneously is not always a good idea. The resulting mixture can cause more damage than the ant could have ever brought on.
Does one ant mean there are more?
If you spot one or two ants around your sink area, it should send an alarm of looming infestation. Few ants making their way to your kitchen area means a larger colony nearby. They normally come out to search for food and may start coming in one by one, and soon you will have a colony in your sink. As soon as you spot one, use any remedies to keep the ants away.
Does bleach keep ants away?
Bleach kills ants but may not deal with the whole colony. This is because the bleach only kills the ants that come in contact with it, meaning you can get rid of what you can see and spray. This means the ants hiding under the sink area are spared, making the infestation recur. Call extermination experts to help you out if you want a permanent solution.
How long does it take to get rid of ants?
The time it takes to get rid of the ants varies depending on your methods. Generally, home remedies take longer and might not eliminate the ants. Experienced exterminators are the best in treating and completely getting rid of an infestation. However, it would take them more than one visit to deal with the problem. You will see immediate improvement, but it may take several weeks to months to eliminate ants.
Final Thought
Ants will go into all sorts of spaces in such of their daily bread. Your kitchen area is most susceptible, especially if it is dirty, and has a lot of crumbs and dirty utensils lying around. If not clean and dry, the sink always has food remnants and water that ants want; they can go in to get the food with some building their colony there.
Therefore, keeping a clean environment makes it hard for ants to find anything to scavenge. However, if you are already witnessing ant infestation in your sink, use the different ways we have highlighted to get rid of them.
References:
https://mantispestsolutions.com/can-ants-come-up-through-your-bathroom-drain/
https://www.hunker.com/13405939/how-to-get-rid-of-ants-in-plumbing
