Why Am I Getting Ants In My House? (& How To Stop Them)

Ant Control Tips for Middlesex, New London & Windham County Homes

You clean the counters. You take out the trash. You keep your snacks in airtight containers. And yet—the ants still show up.

It’s as frustrating as it is common and is a large part of why our ant control service is so popular in Middlesex, New London, & Windham counties.

If you’re seeing ant trails along your windowsills or finding a stray one in the sink, you’re not alone. Homeowners across the northeast struggle with ant problems, especially in spring and summer. But what actually brings ants indoors? And how do you keep them out?

Let’s break it down.

“Why are ants getting in my house?”

Ants are always on the lookout for two things: food and moisture. The moment one scout ant finds either, it heads back to the colony and leaves behind a scent trail. Within hours, that one ant can turn into dozens—or hundreds.

Here are some of the top reasons ants enter the home:

• Crumbs and spills: Even small food particles or sticky residues on the counter can attract ants.
• Pet food dishes: Ants don’t have a refined palette. If there’s kibble or water in reach, they’ll take it.
• Standing water or drips: Leaky pipes, damp sink areas, or even water under the fridge can be a magnet.
• Trash and compost: If your garbage bin isn’t sealed or you keep compost indoors, it may be drawing them in.
• Entry points: Ants don’t need wide open entrances to access your home. They can easily slip into very small cracks in your foundation, under doors, or around utility lines.

Cleaning up your home definitely helps, but it’s no silver bullet. The real issue often starts outside and then works its way in.

Signs you’re dealing with an outdoor ant infestation

For the most part, ant problems come in from nests just outside your home. If you’re seeing ants mostly near doors, windows, or baseboards, that’s a good indication they’ve found a way in from the perimeter. In other words, your indoor ant infestation is probably also an outdoor ant infestation.

Ants also tend to repeat themselves from season to season. If ants reappear every spring or summer despite your best cleaning efforts, the colony is almost certainly rooted outdoors. Plus, if you look along your foundation, walkways, or patio, you might spot their trails.

Likewise, if ants are showing up in more than one room—especially on the ground floor—it usually means they’re getting in at multiple entry points.

All of this points to one thing: it’s time to focus your efforts on the outside of your home.

Why is outdoor perimeter treatment an effective form of ant control?

The best way to stop ants from coming inside is to treat the perimeter of your home. That’s where the ants live, breed, and scout.

In Connecticut, wooded lots, moisture, and shade are all common. That’s why it’s especially important to think beyond the kitchen. These are great conditions for pests to breed—after all, Lyme disease derives its name from the nearby town of Old Lyme, CT. This is also why Lyme tick control and ant control often go hand-in-hand. Both are best handled outdoors, where pests start their journey in.

When we treat the outer perimeter, we’re setting up a protective barrier. That barrier does several things:

• Helps stop ants before they ever reach your doors or windows
• Short circuits the scent trails they use to find food inside
• Discourages new colonies from settling too close to your home

Instead of reacting to ants once they’re indoors, you’re preventing them from getting that far to begin with.

Why Trust Mosquito Squad for Ant Control in Middlesex, New London, and Windham County?

At Mosquito Squad, we provide ant control services designed to prevent infestations by treating the areas ants use to get inside. Our perimeter treatments are EPA-registered, and we apply them on a 21-day cycle to maintain lasting protection.

We know that no two properties are exactly alike. That’s why we tailor each plan to your home’s layout, surroundings, and specific pest issues. And if ants aren’t the only problem? You can always add tick control, mosquito control, and rodent protection through our Multi-Pest 365 plan.

For dependable outdoor pest control near you, call on the professionals at Mosquito Squad. Call (860) 689-1975 or contact us online for a complimentary Middlesex, New London, or Windham County pest control assessment and quote.

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*48-hour guarantee is valid for Mosquito Barrier Treatment only. New Customers only.