Why Do I Have Ants in the House?
No one enjoys finding a trail of ants marching through the kitchen. But if you've ever found yourself wondering, “Why do I have ants in the house?” you're not alone.
Ants are one of the most common pests homeowners in St. Louis deal with, especially during the warmer months. And while spotting one or two might not seem like a big deal, ignoring the signs could mean you're missing a much bigger colony problem.
At Pure Pest + Lawn, we believe no one should have to live with pests and you don’t have to. We help homeowners get rid of ants quickly, responsibly, and without disrupting your life.
Let’s take a closer look at why ants show up, what attracts them, and how you can stop them from taking over.
What Attracts Ants to Come Inside?
Ants aren’t coming into your home for fun they’re coming with a purpose: food, water, and shelter. They follow scent trails left by scout ants and will keep coming as long as conditions remain ideal.
Here’s what makes your home so attractive to ants:
1. Food Crumbs & Spills
Even the tiniest crumbs can be a five-star meal for ants. Kitchens are the most common place for infestations, especially around:
Pet food bowls
Trash cans
Dishwashers and sinks
Ants love sugary items, proteins, and even grease. That one sticky spot on the counter or unsealed cereal box? It's a buffet.
2. Moisture & Water Leaks
Leaky faucets, pipes, or standing water in sinks and showers can attract ants — especially species like carpenter ants that prefer damp wood.
3. Accessible Entry Points
Small cracks in walls, unsealed doors, or windows can act as a welcome mat for ants. Once a scout ant finds a way in, the rest follow — fast.
Tip: Check around baseboards, window frames, and utility lines for tiny openings.
Ants in Summertime: Why They Love Warm Weather
Ants become much more active in the spring and summer months especially here in the St. Louis region. Warmer temperatures signal them to expand their colonies, forage for food, and build satellite nests.
Here’s why you’re more likely to see ants in your house during the summer:
Heat speeds up reproduction within ant colonies
Outdoor food dries up, leading ants indoors
Rainy weather floods outdoor nests, driving ants to higher, drier ground (like your home)
Summer is also when odorous house ants, pavement ants, and carpenter ants are especially common in the Midwest.
👉 If you’re spotting lines of ants or seeing them repeatedly near the same entry point, it’s time for professional help. Ant colonies can number in the thousands and often nest inside walls or foundations.
Where Do Ants Come From? (It’s Not Just the Yard)
Most people assume ants simply walk in from outside — and sometimes they do. But ants are resourceful. If conditions are right, they may actually nest inside your home, often in:
Wall voids
Behind baseboards
Beneath tile or flooring
Under sinks or in cabinetry
Carpenter ants, in particular, can cause real damage by tunneling through damp wood. They don’t eat it — they just move it out of the way.
Even if the nest is outside, ants can travel long distances using scent trails to forage inside your home. They’ll travel back and forth as long as the food and water keep coming.
What You Can Do to Stop Ants — Today
While some ant problems can be managed with good prevention and cleaning, large or recurring infestations often require professional solutions.
Here are the most important steps you can take now:
✅ Seal Entry Points
Use caulk or weather stripping to block gaps around doors, windows, and utility lines. Don’t forget basement cracks and attic vents.
✅ Eliminate Food Sources
Wipe down counters and sweep floors daily
Store food in airtight containers
Clean under appliances regularly
Rinse recyclables
✅ Fix Moisture Issues
Repair leaky pipes and faucets
Use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements
Ensure proper drainage around your foundation
✅ Don’t DIY With Store-Bought Sprays
Many over-the-counter ant sprays kill on contact but don’t eliminate the colony. In some cases, they can cause colony splitting making the problem worse.
How Pure Pest + Lawn Solves Ant Infestations for Good
At Pure Pest + Lawn, we do more than just treat symptoms — we find the source.
Here’s how we help:
Step 1: Free Inspection
We identify entry points, nesting locations, and what’s attracting ants to your space.
Step 2: Custom Treatment Plan
Based on the ant species and level of infestation, we tailor a plan that may include baiting, targeted treatments, or barrier protection all applied responsibly by licensed pros.
Step 3: Ongoing Protection
Our recurring plans keep ants out for good. If they come back, so do we, at no extra cost.
You shouldn’t have to change how you live just to keep pests away. That’s why our treatments are designed to be effective and minimally disruptive.
You don’t have to worry about ants — because you’ve got a Pure Protection Plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ants in the House
Q: Are ants dangerous?
Most household ants aren’t harmful, but carpenter ants can damage wood, and some ants (like pharaoh ants) can spread bacteria. Any ant infestation should be addressed quickly.
Q: Can ants really live inside my walls?
Yes! Ants often build nests in wall voids, especially near kitchens and bathrooms.
Q: Do ants ever go away on their own?
Unlikely. If they’ve found food and moisture, they’ll keep coming — and colonies often grow bigger without intervention.
Q: How fast can you get rid of them?
We offer fast scheduling and begin treatment right after your free inspection. Many customers see a dramatic drop in activity within days.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Live with Ants
If you’ve been asking “Why do I have ants in the house?” — the answer is almost always food, water, or shelter. But the solution is simple when you have a pest control partner who understands exactly how ants operate.
Pure Pest + Lawn helps homeowners in St. Louis stop ant infestations at the source — using targeted, responsible treatments that work with your lifestyle, not against it.
