- 1). Keep ants out. Caulk and seal all cracks and crevices around your home's foundation; inside, pay special attention to areas where food is prepared.
- 2). Fix plumbing leaks. Remove food sources. Store food in clean, closed containers. Store garbage outdoors in sealed containers.
- 3). Use bait to destroy nests. For an entire colony to be destroyed, ant bait must be slow-acting. Some of the chemicals that are effective in baits are hydramethylnon, boric acid and fipronil. Baits will work only if there is no other food source nearby.
- 4). If ants are inside, wash them away with warm, soapy water. This removes the chemical trail and is as effective as most of the insecticides.
- 5). Do not allow any wood - firewood, yard debris or foundations - to remain in contact with the soil. Damp wood provides a habitat for carpenter ants. Trim tree branches and shrubs away from buildings.
Source...