How to Get Rid of Ants in the House (What Works in GTA)
By Zubair on September 27, 2026 · · About the author
Table of Contents
To get rid of ants in the house, bait them instead of spraying them. Put an ant bait where the trail is, leave the ants alone for a few days so they carry it back to the nest, then wipe away the scent trail and seal the gap they came through. Sprays only kill the ants you can see; the colony stays, and the trail is usually back within a week.
Ants are the biggest pest search in Canada. Here’s what works in GTA homes, step by step, and when an ant exterminator is the better call.
Step 1: Figure out which ant you have
The right treatment depends on the species. These four cause most calls in the GTA:
| Ant | What it looks like | Where you see it | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pavement ant | Small (2–4 mm), dark brown to black | Kitchen floors and counters in spring; nests under slabs and patios | Common and treatable with bait |
| Odorous house ant | Small, dark; smells like rotten coconut when crushed | Kitchens and bathrooms, especially after rain | Large colonies; bait works best |
| Carpenter ant | Large (up to about 1.3 cm), usually black | Near windows, sills, damp wood; sawdust-like frass | Nests in the structure; see carpenter ant control |
| Pharaoh ant | Tiny (about 2 mm), yellowish | Heated apartments and condos | Sprays make colonies split and spread; call a pro |
Step 2: Use bait, not spray
Ant baits mix food with a slow-acting insecticide. Worker ants carry it back and share it with the colony and the queen, which is what ends the problem.
- Place baits right on or beside the trail, not where you think ants might go
- Leave the ants alone. For the first day or two you may see more ants, which means the bait is working
- Don’t spray or clean the trail while baiting, or the ants will abandon the bait
- Try a protein bait if ants ignore a sweet one; different species and seasons prefer different food
- Give it 3–7 days before judging the result
Keep baits out of reach of children and pets. Commercial bait stations are enclosed for this reason; if you make a homemade borax-and-sugar bait, put it inside a closed container with small holes, never on an open saucer.
Ants back no matter what you try?
Book an Ant InspectionStep 3: Wipe out the scent trail
Ants lay a chemical trail from the nest to food. Once baiting is done, wash counters, floors and baseboards along the trail with soapy water or a vinegar-and-water mix. That erases the route, so new foragers don’t find their way back in.
Step 4: Cut off food and water
- Wipe counters and sweep floors daily in ant season
- Rinse recyclables and keep garbage and compost bins sealed
- Store sugar, honey, syrup and pet food in airtight containers
- Fix leaking taps and pipes; ants need water as much as food
- Don’t leave pet food out all day
Step 5: Seal the way in
Follow the trail back to where it enters: a gap under a door, a crack in the foundation, a window frame or a pipe opening. Seal it with caulk, weatherstripping or a door sweep. Outside, keep mulch, stones and firewood back from the foundation and trim shrubs and branches so they don’t touch the house.
Household remedies: what’s worth trying
| Remedy | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Vinegar or soapy water | Good for erasing the scent trail; doesn’t kill the colony |
| Borax and sugar bait | Can work as a bait; keep it enclosed and away from kids and pets |
| Diatomaceous earth | Can help along dry entry points outdoors; loses effect when wet |
| Cinnamon, coffee grounds, lemon | Little evidence; ants often walk around them |
| Boiling water on an outdoor nest | Kills part of a pavement ant nest; rarely reaches the whole colony |
When to call a professional
Call a licensed exterminator when:
- The trail is back within two weeks of baiting
- You see large black ants indoors or sawdust-like frass (carpenter ants)
- Ants are coming out of walls, ceilings or light fixtures
- You’re in an apartment or condo with tiny yellow ants (pharaoh ants spread when sprayed)
- You run a food business, where records and prevention matter
A professional visit identifies the species, finds the nest, treats the colony with the right bait or treatment, seals entry points and follows up. We treat ants across Toronto and the GTA, from Toronto to Pickering and Oakville.
We find the nest, treat the whole colony and seal the way in.
See Ant ControlRelated Reading
Why Ant Removal in Pickering Is More Important Than Ever
Ants in Pickering are more than a nuisance. Why colonies are growing, what ignoring them costs, and how professional ant removal fixes the problem.
Most People Ignore Ant Removal in Pickering — Big Mistake
Think ants are harmless? Why ignoring ants in Pickering can lead to carpenter ant damage, food contamination and costly repairs, and what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get rid of ants in the house?
Put ant bait stations or a sweet bait along the trail and leave the ants alone for a few days, so they carry the bait back to the nest. Spraying the trail kills the ants you see but leaves the colony, so the trail comes back.
Does vinegar get rid of ants?
Vinegar wipes away the scent trail ants follow, which helps stop new ants finding the same route. It doesn't kill the colony, so use it after baiting has done its work, not instead of it.
Why do I have ants in my house in spring?
Colonies become active as the weather warms and send workers out looking for food and water. Kitchens, bathrooms and any spilled sugar or grease are the first places they find.
How do I know if they're carpenter ants?
Carpenter ants are much larger (up to about 1.3 cm), usually black, and leave piles of sawdust-like frass near damp or damaged wood. They nest inside the structure, so they need a different approach.
When should I call an exterminator for ants?
Call a professional if ants are back within two weeks of baiting, if you see carpenter ants or frass, if ants are coming from inside walls, or if you live in an apartment where tiny pharaoh ants are spreading between units.