The Most Common Ant Species in UK Homes
The black garden ant (*Lasius niger*) is responsible for the vast majority of ant problems in UK homes. Despite the name, they're actually dark brown. They're not dangerous in the way wasps or rats are — they don't bite hard enough to break skin and don't carry the same level of disease risk.
However, pharaoh ants (*Monomorium pharaonis*) — a smaller, yellowish species found mainly in heated buildings — are a different matter. These are a genuine health concern and much harder to treat. If you're seeing tiny, pale ants (especially in a flat or commercial property), these should be treated professionally as a priority.
Do Ants Pose a Health Risk?
Garden ants in the kitchen are primarily a nuisance rather than a serious health risk, but they're not completely harmless:
- They walk across surfaces, bins, and drains before walking across your food prep areas
- They can contaminate food with bacteria picked up en route
- A large infestation inside wall cavities or under flooring can cause structural issues over time
- Pharaoh ants in healthcare settings are a serious infection risk
Why DIY Ant Treatments Often Fail
The ant trail you see in your kitchen is only a tiny fraction of the colony. The nest — which can contain tens of thousands of ants — is usually outside, under a patio, in a lawn, or in a cavity wall. Spraying the trail with ant killer from a supermarket:
- Kills the foraging workers you can see
- Does nothing to the queen or the nest
- Can cause the colony to split (called "budding"), creating multiple new colonies
The only reliable way to eliminate a colony is to get a product back to the queen via the foraging workers. This is why slow-acting bait gels work where sprays don't — the workers carry the bait back to the nest before it takes effect.
Why Are Ants Coming Into My Kitchen?
Ants follow pheromone trails left by scouts who have found food. They're attracted to:
- Sugar and sweet foods — jars not sealed, sticky surfaces around the hob, fruit left out
- Pet food left in bowls
- Moisture — a dripping pipe or condensation under the sink
- Crumbs and grease along the back of the cooker
Cleaning up food sources helps but won't stop ants if there's an established trail into the property.
How to Stop Ants Coming In
- Seal gaps around pipes and cables entering through the kitchen walls
- Use silicone sealant along the bottom of skirting boards where you see trails entering
- Keep sugar, honey, and syrups in sealed containers
- Clean up spillages quickly, especially sugary drinks
- Don't leave pet food down overnight
When to Call a Pest Controller
If you've tried bait stations from a DIY shop for 2–3 weeks without success, or if the problem returns every year, a professional treatment will be more effective. A pest controller can apply professional-grade gel baits directly into wall cavities and at the nest entrance, which works significantly faster than retail products.
Ant Treatment in Leicester & the Midlands
Pest Control 24/7 treats ant infestations across Leicester, Wigston, Oadby, Blaby, Hinckley, and the wider Midlands. Appointments available 7 days a week.
Call 0116 3667269 or request a free quote.