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As temperatures rise, so does the risk of encountering a frequent and annoying kitchen nuisance — ants. Whether you’ve spotted the rogue few or a trail, it can be disheartening to have to try to get rid of ants.
In fact, I had a bothersome issue with the tiny critters in my kitchen by the patio doors and found some success with using citrus peels to deter ants. However, the best deterrent is to eliminate the key things that are attracting ants to your home altogether.
An expert has highlighted a simple yet lesser-known preventative habit that we can do each day to tackle an ant invasion. The 'kitchen sink rule' will take less than five minutes and will make our kitchens less welcoming for ants to nest.
What’s more, it’s practically ‘free’ and doesn’t involve any ant or homemade repelling products. So why are homeowners being urged to follow ‘the kitchen sink rule’ this peak season?
What exactly is the ‘Kitchen Sink Rule’?
Essentially, the concept behind the ‘Kitchen Sink Rule’ is simply to leave the sink area dry, clean and ‘reset’ overnight so there is nothing there to attract or guide ants into the home. This simple deep cleaning exercise at the end of each day will eliminate all the sources that invite ants into your kitchen.
“This is the time of year when ants really pick up,” says Glen Peskett, DIY expert and Company Director at Saxton Blades Multi Tools. “As soon as it gets warmer, they’re out looking for food and water a lot more, and kitchens are one of the easiest places for them to find it.
“The sink area is a bit of a hotspot because it’s damp and there’s often tiny bits of residue there, even if it looks clean.”
“It’s really just a simple end-of-day thing,” he explains. “If you leave standing water, damp cloths, or bits of food around the sink, you’re basically giving them everything they need. If you spend a minute before bed drying it down and clearing it away, you’re just taking away what they’re looking for.”
How to follow the ‘Kitchen Sink Rule’?
It is not about deep cleaning, just removing the conditions ants rely on, mainly moisture, food traces and scent trails.
Glen Peskett, Company Director, Saxton Blades Multi Tools
This simple habit will take less than five minutes, and you should do it every day. First, empty and dry the sink before bed. And while it might be tempting to leave your cookware or pans to soak overnight, don’t! Ants are attracted to water and any food/debris left on dishes, so you’re giving them double treats!
Secondly, run hot water down the drain to clear any residue, and clean/wipe down taps and the sink area. Also, avoid leaving damp sponges and cloths lying on the sink area (preferably hang them up somewhere to air out properly), and ensure everything is dry before you finish using the kitchen.
“It is not about deep cleaning, just removing the conditions ants rely on, mainly moisture, food traces and scent trails,” adds Peskett. “In addition, ants use chemical trails to find their way around, so even small amounts of residue or damp can become a route they keep coming back to.
“If they find a steady source of water and food traces, they will keep returning. Once that pattern starts, it is much harder to stop.”
Granted, if you’re dealing with an ongoing infestation, always call your local pest control. However, try this simple expert-approved tip that can help you have an ant-free summer.
Top tips to prevent ants
Prevention is the key, so always inspect your walls and doors for any cracks or gaps for potential entryways. Seal up such gaps with caulk to prevent ants from returning.
Check that your window and door screens are correctly installed and sit flush against the frames. If not or they show signs of damage, be sure to replace these immediately.
Avoid leaving residual food and crumbs around your home, including dirty dishes in the kitchen sink. And ensure you dust and vacuum regularly to remove any crumbs which may have spilled on the floor, as the scent lures ants into your home.
Make sure pantry food is sealed in airtight containers, so ants can’t reach them. Plus, once your pets have finished their meal, rinse out the bowl immediately so there’s no residual food here. At floor level, this is very easy to access for ants.
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