Household pests
Ants in the house: how to get rid of them
Most ants in UK homes are black garden ants foraging indoors for sweet and greasy food, following scent trails from a nest outside. They do not spread disease and are mainly a nuisance. Cleaning up food, blocking entry points and using ant bait near the trail usually clears them without professional help.
- Also known as
- black garden ant, Lasius niger, pavement ant
- Easily confused with
- flying ants (winged reproductives on flying ant day), pharaoh ants (small, indoor-nesting, harder to clear)
- How serious
- Low: a nuisance, not a health risk, for common garden ants
- Typical cost
- DIY bait and sealing is low cost; professional treatment typically from around 70 to 150 pounds
How to identify ants
The common black garden ant is 3 to 5mm long and dark brown to black, seen in steady trails along skirting, worktops and window frames towards a food source.
In summer you may see larger winged ants on warm, humid days, known as flying ant day. These are queens and males leaving the nest to mate, and they are a brief seasonal event rather than a new indoor infestation.
How serious is it?
Low: a nuisance, not a health risk, for common garden ants
Garden ants are harmless. They do not bite painfully, sting or carry disease in the way some pests do. The main issue is the nuisance of trails over food surfaces.
Two situations need more care. Pharaoh ants, which are small, yellowish and nest indoors, can be persistent and are better dealt with professionally. And large numbers indoors can simply be unpleasant in kitchens and around food.
How to fix it yourself
- Follow the trail to find where ants enter, then wipe it away with hot soapy water or a vinegar solution to break the scent trail.
- Remove the attraction: clear up food and spills, store sweet and sticky foods in sealed containers, and keep bins closed.
- Seal entry points such as gaps around pipes, door thresholds and window frames.
- Use ant bait stations near the trail. The ants carry the bait back to the nest, which is more effective than spraying individual ants.
- Treat or relocate an outdoor nest near the house if foraging continues.
When to call a professional
- You suspect pharaoh ants (tiny, yellow-brown, nesting indoors), which spread between flats and resist DIY treatment.
- A large, persistent infestation you cannot trace to a single nest, or repeated nests inside the building fabric.
Who to call
- A BPCA or NPTA member pest controller, especially for pharaoh ants or a building-wide problem.
- Your local council pest control service, which treats ants in some areas.
Indicative cost: DIY bait and sealing is low cost; professional treatment typically from around 70 to 150 pounds. Prices vary by area, severity and access, so always get a written quote.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get rid of ants permanently?
Use ant bait near the trail so workers carry it back and destroy the nest, then remove food sources and seal entry points. Killing individual ants does little; targeting the nest and cutting off food and access is what stops them returning.
Why do I suddenly have ants in my house?
Foraging worker ants follow scent trails indoors when they find food, especially sweet or greasy spills, and in warm weather. A nest outside near the wall, or an accessible food source, is usually behind a sudden trail of ants.
Are flying ants dangerous?
No. Flying ants on flying ant day are winged queens and males leaving to mate. They are a brief summer event, not an indoor infestation, and are harmless. They disappear within a day or two.
When should I call a professional about ants?
Call a professional if you suspect pharaoh ants (tiny, yellow-brown ants nesting indoors), or if a large infestation persists despite baiting, sealing gaps and removing food. These cases are hard to clear with shop products alone.
Sources
Editor, HomesAndHedge
Oliver leads HomesAndHedge's editorial coverage of home and garden problems. He researches and writes the plain-English explainers on pests, invasive plants, damp and mould, drainage and wildlife, drawing on guidance from bodies such as the Property Care Association, the RHS and the NHS, and is clear about when a job needs a qualified professional.
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026