Ants often make their way into homes during the summertime. They search for food, moisture and places to nest – and will do anything they can to get it. If you want to rid your house of these pesky pests once and for all, here are a few easy steps you can take.

One of the most essential steps you can take to prevent ants from taking refuge in your kitchen or other common gathering places. Make sure your home is free from crumbs, leaks and other areas where insects may hide. Doing this will help ensure ants don’t make their way into areas like this that attract them regularly.

First and foremost, clear away any crumbs from around your house and clean up dishes and garbage cans. Doing this will deter ants from entering into your home, plus it reduces pheromone buildup in the air.

One important step to take is using a sanitizer or disinfectant spray. This will eliminate any existing ants in your home and help prevent future infestations as well.

You can spray the inside of your fridge and other food containers to eliminate any ants that have made their way inside from outside. This step is especially important if you have pets or children living in the house.

Applying a mixture of vinegar and water to the surface of your kitchen counters will disrupt the scent that ants use to follow each other in their marching line. Repeat this process until all ants have stopped following along in the conga line altogether.

This won’t completely eliminate the ants, but it will help them leave your home and move elsewhere. Furthermore, disinfecting surfaces on countertops prevents them from eating any leftover crumbs which might attract new ants in the future.

If you are faced with an intense infestation, hiring an exterminator to treat the area may be your best bet. They have the tools and expertise to set traps and administer poison directly to ants – much more efficient than trying to solve this problem yourself.

In addition to eliminating ants, a professional will also seal any holes or cracks in your walls so that no more pests can enter in the future. Doing this helps you remain free of ants for an extended period.

The next step is to identify the species of ants you have and become familiar with their nesting habits. This will enable you to decide which methods work best for your situation.

An Internet search will tell you which ant species are common in your area and how to eliminate them. Additionally, contact your local university extension service for further information regarding the specific ants that have taken over your home.

For effective DIY methods to rid your home of ants, the most reliable DIY solutions involve using chemicals that are safe for both people and pets, such as borax or diatomaceous earth. Both non-toxic, these ingredients have a powerful effect on ants, roaches and other crawling insects.