With summer approaching, now is the time for seasonal pests to begin appearing inside homes. In my case, this often means ants, thanks to a nearby nest in my backyard — and I notice them visiting my kitchen more frequently as the weather warms up.
Although ants may be small, they are mighty, even if other pests (like mice, which would make me abandon my house) are more unsettling. Not only do these tiny critters invade your home, but ants are notoriously hard to get rid of.
Despite my daily efforts of frantically wiping down countertops, trash cans, and vacuuming floors to remove any food debris or spills, I still spotted the occasional stray ant in my kitchen. I was at my wits' end.
That’s when I made a surprising discovery — the real kitchen area that was attracting ants. In fact, since it’s not the most obvious place, it often gets missed during our routine pest control/inspection.
The overlooked kitchen spot that is attracting ants
While it's easy to focus on obvious spots like trash cans, floors, and kitchen countertops when trying to banish ants, the cutlery drawer is a surprising magnet for critters.
This is because this spot is usually right below the countertop, and leaving it open means crumbs or dropped food debris can easily and unknowingly fall right into the drawer. I know I’m guilty of doing that when I’m prepping or dishing out meals, or frantically rushing around hosting a dinner party.
By not including this hidden area in my cleaning routine, it became the ideal area where pesky ants are drawn to infest your kitchen and drawers.
The simple way to avoid this is to always remember to close your cutlery drawer after use, especially when you’re preparing food.
How to clean your drawer to avoid an ant invasion
Luckily, it’s not too much hassle to deep clean your drawer, and it should get quicker if done regularly. In addition, this is a good time to get rid of any clutter and keep your cutlery drawer neat and organized.
Start by completely emptying the area so that you can clean it properly. Use a handheld vacuum or an appropriate attachment to thoroughly clean the space. Finally, wash your cutlery and utensils; either run them through the dishwasher or hand-wash them well. Once everything is clean and dry, you can put them back into the drawer.
Ideally, it’s best to do this once a month, but if your drawer is prone to small crumbs (thanks to smaller children), do this once a week to prevent an ant invasion.
Top tips to prevent ants
Besides clearing out your top drawer, prevention is always key to ensuring you don’t attract ants in the first place.
These tiny critters can enter your home through the smallest of gaps, so always inspect your walls and doors for cracks or gaps for potential entryways. Seal up such gaps with caulk to prevent ants from returning.
Do the same for your window and door screens, and check that they are properly installed and sit flush against the frames. If they are damaged or don't fit correctly, replace them right away.
Of course, maintain a clean environment by routinely dusting and vacuuming to eliminate any spilled crumbs from the floor, as their scent can attract ants. Make sure pantry food is sealed in airtight containers, so ants can’t reach them. To prevent ants from reaching food, be sure to store all pantry items in airtight containers. And after feeding pets, immediately rinse their bowls to remove any food residue, as these are easily accessible for ants at floor level.
