Where Kensington and Chelsea's Ants Get In
Lower-ground kitchens and light wells in Chelsea
Chelsea's townhouses very often have their kitchen on the lower-ground floor, opening onto a light well or small rear yard rather than a full garden. Ants find their way in through the gaps where paving meets the house, or around an old light-well drain, and once a scent trail is set down it can be followed for weeks even after the visible ants are wiped away.
Patios near Holland Park's bigger gardens
The larger detached and semi-detached houses backing onto Holland Park have proper gardens with patios and paved paths, and that's where an ant nest is usually found — under a slab or at the base of a wall, marked by small heaps of fine soil. Warm weather brings the trail indoors as workers follow the scent line back to a kitchen door.
Signs to Look For
- A steady trail of ants heading to and from a food source
- Small mounds of fine soil near patios, paving or skirting boards
- Ants appearing around windows, doors or kitchen units, especially in warm weather
- Winged ants indoors, which can signal a nest close by
Keeping Ants Out of a Kensington and Chelsea Kitchen
Sealing the gap they're using matters more than clearing the trail on the surface, since new workers simply pick the scent back up.
