It usually starts with one or two scouts on the worktop. A day later there is a neat line of ants running from the balcony door to the cat food bowl. Ants in an apartment are especially common in summer, and ground-floor flats and homes with a garden or balcony are the typical targets. Spraying the ones you can see rarely helps for long – but a systematic approach does.
Here are five ways to get rid of ants in your apartment and make sure they don't return next week.
Why ants come into your apartment
Most ants you see in Swiss homes are native species that nest outdoors – in the garden, under paving stones or in wall cracks – and forage inside. The City of Zurich's fact sheet on native ants explains that they come indoors mainly in search of food, and that prevention and good food storage are the most important measures.
Once a single worker finds something sweet or protein-rich, it leaves a scent trail for others to follow. That's why a few ants can turn into a steady stream within hours. Ants are generally a nuisance rather than a hygiene disaster, but you don't want them in the kitchen cupboard.
1. Find the ant trail and the entry point
Before you wipe anything, watch where the ants are going and where they are coming from.
- Follow the line of ants backwards, away from the food source.
- Look closely at skirting boards, window sills, balcony door thresholds, gaps around pipes and cable ducts.
- Check outside too: a trail along the facade often leads to a crack or the edge of a patio.
- Mark the entry points with a piece of tape so you can find them again.
Knowing the entry point lets you seal it and place bait precisely, instead of treating the whole apartment.
2. Remove the food source
Without food, ants have no reason to stay. This step is simple cleaning, and it's the one that matters most.
- Crumbs: Vacuum or sweep under the toaster, the dining table, the sofa and children's chairs.
- Sugar and honey: Store them in jars with screw lids or airtight containers. Wipe sticky rings from jars and bottles.
- Pet food: Don't leave food bowls standing all day; put a bowl in a shallow dish of water as a moat if needed.
- Bins: Close the kitchen bin, empty it regularly and rinse recyclables before storing them.
- Plants: Aphids on balcony or indoor plants produce honeydew, which ants love – check leaves as well.
3. Home remedies: what helps and what doesn't
Many home remedies for ants are about disturbing the scent trail rather than killing anything. They can help with a small, fresh problem:
| Home remedy | How to use it | Realistic effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vinegar solution (1:1 with water) | Wipe trails and entry points | Removes scent marks, deters temporarily |
| Washing-up liquid in water | Wipe surfaces | Cleans trails and sticky residue |
| Strong scents (lemon peel, mint, cloves) | Place at entry points | Mild deterrent, needs regular renewal |
| Chalk line or baking soda | Draw a barrier at the entry point | Limited – ants often walk around it |
Don't pour boiling water into wall cracks or near electrical sockets. Also avoid acids like vinegar on natural stone window sills and marble floors – they can etch the surface.
4. Bait boxes: reaching the nest
If ants keep returning after thorough cleaning, bait boxes from the supermarket or DIY store are the next step. Worker ants carry the bait back to the nest, which is why it can take several days – sometimes a couple of weeks – before you see an effect.
- Place the boxes directly on the ant trail or next to the entry point.
- Do not wipe the trail next to the bait at the same time – the ants need to find it.
- Remove all other food sources so the bait is the most attractive option.
- Be patient: more ants around the box at first is normal.
5. Seal entry points and keep ants out of the apartment
Once the ants are gone, stop the next colony from finding the same route:
- Seal small gaps along skirting boards or window frames with acrylic sealant or silicone.
- Check that door and window seals close properly.
- Keep patio edges and the area directly around the balcony door free of food scraps and sticky drinks.
- Clean the kitchen floor regularly in summer, including under the fridge and cooker.
If you rent, don't drill or make permanent changes without asking. Larger cracks in the facade or signs that ants are nesting inside walls should be reported to the property management (Verwaltung) – that's a matter for the landlord, not a DIY job.
When you need a professional pest controller
Call in a specialist if the ants keep coming back despite cleaning and bait, if you find nests inside the building, if you see winged ants swarming indoors or if you suspect wood-damaging carpenter ants. In a rented apartment, inform the property management first. Priority Clean is a cleaning company, not a pest control service – but a clean, crumb-free home is the best prevention.
Common mistakes with ants in the apartment
- Spraying only the visible ants: The nest keeps sending new workers.
- Using bait and wiping at the same time: You remove the trail that leads the ants to the bait.
- Leaving pet food out: One bowl is enough to keep a trail going.
- Giving up after two days: Bait boxes need time to reach the nest.
If other small visitors are bothering you in summer, read our guide on how to get rid of fruit flies.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I suddenly have ants in my apartment?
Usually because a scout ant has found food – crumbs, sugar, pet food or sticky residue – and marked a trail for others. Warm weather and ground-floor flats with a garden or balcony increase the chances.
What kills ants naturally?
Home remedies such as vinegar or strong scents mainly disturb the trail rather than kill ants. For a lasting solution, remove food sources, clean the trail and seal entry points; if that isn't enough, bait boxes reach the nest.
How long do ant bait boxes take to work?
It often takes several days and can take up to a couple of weeks, because workers need to carry the bait back to the nest. Don't remove the boxes or clean the trail next to them during this time.
Should I tell my landlord about ants?
If ants keep coming back despite cleaning, if you see nests in the building or damage to walls or wood, inform the property management. A one-off trail caused by crumbs can usually be solved by yourself.
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