Ants can be present in Kent homes year-round. However, ant issues can grow quickly when nests form near entry points. Sightings of a few ants can indicate the presence of a large colony nearby. Thus, homeowners must learn how nests for and where they hide. This way, they can take steps to remove these nets and stop the cycle for good.
Ants build nests where they find steady moisture, food, and protection from the weather. Kent’s wet climate provides ideal ground for colonies. Soil softens after rains, which lets ants expand tunnels. A change in temperature drives colonies closer to homes. If you want to keep your home pest free in Kent, read on to learn about ant nests and how to eliminate them:
Signs That a Nest Is Close
Ant trails that appear at the same time each day suggest a pattern driven by nearby food or water. Observe these trails to identify direction and possible nest locations. Look for clusters of ants near window frames or door gaps and soil mounds in garden beds or along foundations. Also, you may find small piles of soil or frass indoors and persistent trails that return after wiping.
Indoor nests form in quiet, sheltered areas of the home. Wall cavities are a common location. The nest may be inside if you hear soft rustling inside the walls or spot lines of ants emerging from baseboards. Kitchens offer warmth, moisture, and food, which are appealing to ants. A drip under the sink or a forgotten spill behind appliances can encourage the expansion of the colony.
In addition, outdoor nests are easier to spot but can be extensive. Ants build nests in soil, under rocks, in rotting logs, or near tree roots. Kent’s moisture-rich soil keeps colonies active through most of the year.
Garden beds close to the home may hide multiple smaller colonies that feed trails indoors. Pavers, patios, and driveways create warm, dry conditions where pavement ants thrive. Check gutters, foundation lines, and areas with thick vegetation. Any feature that traps moisture or creates shade can support a nest.
Why Targeting the Nest Works
Wiping trails or spraying visible ants removes workers, but the colony continues to send more. The queen controls reproduction, so removing the nest is the only effective long-term strategy.
Targeting the nest stops the queen from producing new workers, weakening the colony. Workers that remain outside cannot sustain the colony, so activity drops. This method also prevents the creation of satellite nests, which occur when stressed colonies split and spread.
Methods for Targeting Ant Nests Indoors
Baits are one of the most effective tools for indoor nests. Ants carry bait back to the colony, which disrupts the colony from within. Gel baits placed near entry points, counters, or trails often work well because ants share the material with nest mates.
Dust treatments also help in wall voids or crawl spaces. These products reach deep areas where sprays cannot. Apply dust inside outlets, behind baseboards, or under sinks to reach hidden nest sites. Do not use heavy surface sprays indoors because they scatter ants and may lead to colony splitting.
Methods for Targeting Outdoor Nests
Baits placed along garden edges or near known trails draw workers who transport the material back to the colony. Granular baits work well for large yard areas or multiple nests.
A slow-acting bait helps ensure the colony ingests the material. This works for nests in soil mounds. Fast-contact treatments may cause ants to abandon the mound and rebuild elsewhere. Target moisture-heavy areas under logs, stones, and planters to reduce harborage and colony spread. If the nest sits inside a retaining wall or patio structure, use baits along edges and inside crevices.
