How to Prevent Ant Infestations Before They Start: Simple Steps for Perth Homes
Have you ever spotted a trail of ants weaving its way across your kitchen bench and wondered how they got there in the first place?
Ants are one of the most common pests in Perth homes, and once they find a food or water source, they can quickly turn a minor inconvenience into a full infestation. The good news is that with the right prevention strategies, you can stop ants long before they become a problem. At
Stewarts Pest Control, we’ve been helping Perth families with
reliable ant pest control solutions since 1954, keeping homes clean, safe, and pest-free.
Understanding Why Ants Invade Homes
Ants are surprisingly resourceful creatures, and understanding what draws them into your home is the first step to preventing an infestation. In Perth’s warm climate, ants are active for most of the year, constantly searching for food, water, and shelter. A few crumbs on the kitchen counter or a dripping tap can be enough to invite them indoors. Once one ant finds a source of food, it leaves a scent trail that the rest of the colony follows, turning a single scout into hundreds of tiny invaders in no time.
What Attracts Ants Indoors
Ants are driven by survival instincts, and your home provides everything they need. Common attractants include:
- Food crumbs and spills: Even small traces of sugar, grease, or fruit juice can draw ants from outside.
- Unsealed containers: Open food packages and pet food bowls act as easy targets.
- Water sources: Leaky pipes, damp towels, and condensation around sinks or windows offer hydration.
- Rubbish bins: Overflowing or uncovered bins can quickly become a feeding ground.
Maintaining a clean, dry, and well-sealed environment is key to deterring ants before they form a colony inside.
Common Ant Species in Perth
Not all ants are the same, and some are more persistent than others. Perth homeowners often encounter:
- Black house ants: Typically nest in walls and kitchens, attracted by sweet foods.
- Coastal brown ants: Known for forming large colonies in gardens and under paving stones.
- Argentine ants: Aggressive invaders that can displace native species and are difficult to control once established.
Each type behaves differently, which is why understanding what species you’re dealing with helps determine the right solution.
The Hidden Complexity of Ant Colonies
Ants operate as a highly organised community, with thousands of workers dedicated to foraging and protecting their queen. Simply killing visible ants rarely solves the problem; it only eliminates the surface-level workers. The real issue lies deep within the colony, where eggs and larvae continue to develop.
For long-term success, homeowners need more than just surface sprays. A professional ant control company in Perth can identify nest locations, species types, and targeted treatments to stop infestations at the source, ensuring lasting protection for your home.
Simple Everyday Habits to Prevent Ant Infestations
Keeping ants out of your home doesn’t always require complex treatments; it often comes down to consistent, simple habits. By maintaining a clean and well-sealed environment, you make it harder for ants to find food and water sources. These small daily practices not only prevent infestations but also help protect your home year-round.
Keep Your Kitchen Spotless
The kitchen is the number one hotspot for ants. Leftover crumbs, sugary spills, and open containers are irresistible to foraging ants.
- Wipe down benches, tables, and splashbacks after every meal.
- Sweep or vacuum floors regularly to remove hidden food debris.
- Rinse used dishes instead of leaving them in the sink overnight.
- Store food such as cereal, biscuits, and pet food in sealed containers.
Ants rely on scent trails to find their way back to food sources, so using a mild cleaning solution or vinegar-based spray can help erase these trails and discourage further exploration.
Manage Rubbish and Pet Areas
Ants are drawn to odours, and rubbish bins are a frequent attractant. Always keep indoor bins covered and empty them daily, especially in warmer months. Clean your bins with soapy water or disinfectant to remove residue that might lure pests.
Pet food bowls can also be a major attractant. Ants are opportunistic feeders, so leftover kibble or spilled water quickly draws them in. Feed pets at set times, wipe the area after feeding, and consider using a small dish of water around the bowl to act as a barrier.
Check Hidden Spots and Entry Points
Ants often sneak in through gaps you barely notice. Regularly inspect skirting boards, window sills, and under appliances where crumbs tend to accumulate. Seal any small cracks or holes around windows, doors, and plumbing.
Even areas like pantries, laundry rooms, and bathrooms can attract ants if moisture builds up. Running a dehumidifier or fixing leaks helps remove the humidity ants seek.
Developing these habits might seem simple, but they’re incredibly effective. Combined with professional advice and regular inspections, these ant prevention tips help you stay one step ahead, keeping your home fresh, hygienic, and ant-free all year long.
Outdoor Maintenance to Keep Ants Away
While most homeowners focus on keeping the inside of their homes spotless, many ant infestations actually start outdoors. Gardens, lawns, and exterior walls can become nesting sites where ants thrive before eventually finding their way inside. By maintaining the outdoor areas around your home, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of an infestation taking hold.
Tidy Up the Garden and Surrounding Areas
Ants love cluttered environments where they can build nests undisturbed. Garden beds, overgrown shrubs, and piles of mulch or leaves create perfect hiding spots.
- Keep grass trimmed and remove fallen leaves or branches regularly.
- Prune trees and shrubs that touch the sides or roof of your home, these act as bridges for ants to enter.
- Move firewood, bricks, and garden ornaments away from exterior walls, as ants often nest beneath these.
- Avoid leaving pet food or compost uncovered outdoors, as these provide accessible food sources.
These small steps limit nesting opportunities and reduce the number of ants near your home’s foundation.
Inspect and Seal Entry Points
Outdoor cracks and gaps may seem insignificant, but they are ideal entryways for ants. Examine the foundation of your home, window frames, and door seals for signs of wear or separation. Use weatherproof sealant or silicone caulking to close any small openings. This creates a physical barrier, preventing ants from finding easy access inside.
Pay attention to plumbing and electrical entry points too, as ants often use these as hidden pathways. Installing mesh screens on weep holes or vents can also discourage entry.
Reduce Moisture and Standing Water
Like most pests, ants are attracted to moisture. Poor drainage, leaking taps, and puddles around the home’s perimeter are strong attractants.
- Repair dripping outdoor taps and check irrigation systems for leaks.
- Clear gutters and downpipes to ensure proper water flow.
- Level uneven ground where water tends to pool after rain.
By removing these water sources, you make your outdoor space less appealing to ants and other insects.
Consider Professional Outdoor Protection
Even with diligent maintenance, some ant species are stubborn and difficult to control once they’ve established nests in soil or paving. That’s where professional ant treatment service in Perth make a real difference. At Stewarts Pest Control, we use safe, targeted treatments designed to eliminate colonies at their source while protecting your garden and family.
A proactive outdoor approach is one of the best ways to stop ants before they ever cross your doorstep, keeping your entire property cleaner, safer, and pest-free.
When to Call in Professional Help
Sometimes, even the cleanest homes can fall victim to an ant invasion. Once a colony has established itself nearby, the number of ants can multiply rapidly, and do-it-yourself solutions may not be enough to stop them. Understanding when to bring in experts can save you time, frustration, and recurring infestations.
Why DIY Solutions Often Fail
Supermarket sprays and surface cleaners can appear effective at first, but they only eliminate the ants you see. The majority of the colony, including the queen and developing larvae, remains hidden deep within walls, soil, or foundations. Once those worker ants are gone, the colony simply sends more to replace them.
Store-bought products also lack the strength or precision of professional treatments. Overusing or misusing them can drive ants to scatter and form new colonies elsewhere, a process known as budding, which makes the problem even worse.
What Professional Technicians Do Differently
Professional pest control technicians take a more strategic approach. Instead of just targeting surface activity, they identify the exact species of ant and locate the colony’s nesting sites. This ensures treatments are tailored for maximum effectiveness.
At Stewarts Pest Control, our experienced team uses safe, environmentally responsible products that are tough on ants but gentle on families, pets, and the environment. We combine modern technology with decades of industry knowledge to create treatment plans that don’t just fix the issue temporarily; they help prevent it from returning.
Our technicians also assess your home for entry points, environmental conditions, and factors contributing to infestations. This holistic approach ensures lasting results and peace of mind.
When to Make the Call
If you notice frequent ant trails, nests appearing in your garden, or ants emerging from walls or electrical points, it’s time to seek professional help. Ignoring these signs can lead to larger colonies and potential property damage.
By choosing professional ant control, you’re not just solving today’s problem; you’re protecting your home from future infestations. At Stewarts Pest Control, we’re proud to provide Perth families with trusted, family-friendly pest solutions backed by more than 70 years of service and expertise.
Ready to Keep Ants Out for Good?
Are you ready to stop ants from invading your home before they even get the chance? With a few consistent habits, some outdoor care, and timely professional help, you can keep your home safe and ant-free all year round. Prevention is always easier than elimination, and staying one step ahead makes all the difference.
At Stewarts Pest Control, we’ve been helping Perth homeowners with reliable pest management since 1954, delivering trusted service with a personal touch. If you’re concerned about ants or want expert advice on prevention, contact our friendly team today to arrange a professional inspection or treatment.









