Ants in Brent Homes
The black garden ant causes most household ant problems in London. Workers leave a scent trail from the nest to any food they find, and every ant that follows reinforces it — which is why a trail can reappear in the same place for weeks.
Following the trail
Watch where the ants enter the room. It is usually a gap at the back door threshold, a crack where a kitchen extension meets the original house, an air brick or the edge of a window frame. Outside, the nest is often under paving slabs or at the base of a wall, marked by small heaps of fine soil.
Flying ant days
On warm, humid days in July and August, colonies release winged males and new queens all at once. Flying ants coming up through a floor or skirting board mean a nest very close by, sometimes under the house itself.
Why shop-bought products often fail
Sprays kill the workers you can see without touching the nest, and a colony simply sends more. Some products also make ants split their colony into several, so the problem appears in more places.
Keeping ants out
- Wipe up sugary spills and store sweet foods in sealed containers
- Seal gaps around door thresholds and where pipes enter
- Keep pet food bowls clean and off the floor overnight
- Look for nests under patios and paths near the back door
