Why ants move in after rain

When the ground floods, ant colonies look for higher, drier ground, and your kitchen counts. They follow moisture and food smells through gaps you’d never notice.

Seven quick fixes

✓ 1. Check the sweep under every exterior door. If you can see daylight, ants can walk in.

✓ 2. Seal the gap where AC lines and pipes enter the wall.

✓ 3. Pull mulch back a few inches from the foundation.

✓ 4. Trim shrubs so branches don’t touch the house.

✓ 5. Wipe counters at night and keep sweets in sealed containers.

✓ 6. Empty pet bowls after meals.

✓ 7. Fix slow leaks under sinks.

When to call a pro

If trails keep coming back after a week, or you spot fire ant mounds where kids play, it’s time for a targeted treatment. Spraying store-bought products on trails can split some colonies and make things worse.