Eliminate Ants in Bedroom and Stop Them From Returning

Discovering an ant trail in the bedroom can be an unsettling experience. The worst part is that these ants can get onto your bed and bite.

The first step is to find the origins and reasons for their bedroom presence. This is key to getting rid of ants in bedroom.

After identifying their sources, I used a mix of chemicals and natural products to get rid of them.

These direct treatments wouldn’t have any effect if my bedroom hygiene is deplorable.

Read on to find how I successfully eliminated ants in my bedroom, step-by-step.

This guide also includes proven ways to prevent ants from returning.

Key Takeaways

Consistency and precision in action are crucial for removing ants. Here’s what you need to know:

• Identifying entry points: I carefully inspect my bedroom for small cracks or openings. Ants enter from these openings. Sealing these with caulk can prevent further intrusion.
• Cleanliness is key: I make a habit of vacuuming and wiping down surfaces. This removes food residue, which attracts ants.
• Use natural deterrents. I have had success with substances like cinnamon, lemon juice, or peppermint oil. I put these around potential entry points. Ants hate these scents. And it repels them.
• Bait and eliminate colonies: I use ant baits to not only kill the ants I see but also to target the colony. The ants carry the bait back, which eradicates the colony.

What Attracts Ants to Bedroom?

Food crumbs, beverage stains, dead insects, and excessive moisture in the bedroom draw ants.

But, ants can infest bedrooms despite no food. It happens when the bedroom has excessive moisture. Dampness attracts ants and other insects.

Ants from other areas of the house, like the basement and kitchen, can also spill over to your bedroom.

Spillovers occur when the ant colonies in the house are expanding. These ants then enter bedrooms looking for a nesting ground.

Ants in the bedroom will build their nests in furniture cracks. They will also build them inside the cracks on walls, the ceiling, and the floor.

Ants can also sneak inside clothing storage areas such as closet and dresser drawers to nest.

Identifying the Source of Ant Problem In the Bedroom

To beat an ant infestation in my bedroom, I first need to understand how ants operate. Identifying their species, entry points, and the colony location is crucial.

Recognize Ant Species in Your Bedroom

I need to determine the species of ants in my bedroom. Different types may need different approaches.

For instance, carpenter ants nest in damp wood. Their presence show that there’s damp wood or moisture problem in the bedroom.

Whereas, odorous house ants or sugar ants are in the bedroom because there’s food waste.

Find the Entry Points and Trails

After distinguishing the ants, I’ll pinpoint their entry points by observing their movement.

Ants often travel in a line because of the pheromone trails they leave. The trails help other ants find food.

Common entry points include window frames, cracks in the walls, and under doors.

Locate the Ant Colony

The final step involves locating the ants’ colony. While some ants may nest inside my bedroom.

Others might be entering from a nearby nest outside the bedroom.

I will search my home for small piles of dirt or wood shavings. They can be signs of an ant nest. I will mark those areas and treat them.

These ant colonies have queen ants. Queen ants’ main job is to lay eggs to expand the colony.

The worker ants tend to the queen and the ant larvae.

So, it’s not only essential to remove the worker ants but also the queen ant to remove an ant infestation.

Direct Treatment Methods To Get Rid of Ants in Bedroom

Direct and targeted ant treatments get rid of ants and their nests. Here’s how I did it.

Use Ant Killer Sprays

The no-brainer approach to get rid of ants is to use ant sprays on the ants.

Use the ant spray on the ants and on their trails. It’ll kill them on contact.

Then dispose of the dead ants outside of the property.

But killing only the visible worker ants doesn’t solve the ant problem in the bedroom.

You’ll also need to treat the ants hiding in their nests. And for that, you’ll need to use ant gel baits.

Use Targeted Ant Gel Baits

Ant baits are a powerful tool I recommend for dealing with ants in the bedroom.

When you place ant baits, worker ants carry the poison back to the colony.

The other ants in the colony, including the queen ant, feed on the baits. And they die.

I keep the gel-based ant baits where I’ve noticed ant trails. Or at the places that I marked for ant nests.

Gel-based ant baits are effective for killing an entire colony. But one application isn’t enough.

I kept the baits everyday, till I stopped noticing random ants or ant trails.

Instead of using chemical ant baits, you can prepare ant bait by mixing borax and sugar.

Caution: Ensure that gel-based ant baits are inaccessible to children and pets.

Apply Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural, nontoxic powder. I find it indispensable in the fight against ants.

But you’d need to be a bit strategical while using diatomaceous earth.

I applied it in thin lines along the ant trails and near the potential entry points.

I also scattered diatomaceous earth along the edges of bedroom floor’s baseboard.

Ants in the bedroom can hide underneath beds and furniture. So, I scattered diatomaceous earth in those areas too.

Diatomaceous earth punctures the ants’ exoskeletons of ants and enter their bodies.

It leads to dehydration and death because the dust absorbs the bodily fluids.

Remember to use food-grade diatomaceous earth to ensure safety for humans and pets.

Use Natural Ant Repellents

There are many natural products that emit aroma. Ants hate the scents of these products.

Sprinkle cinnamon powder.

Dot peppermint oil on floor and furniture. Or use tea tree oil in areas where ants enter or congregate. These acts as strong deterrents.

Ants find the scents of these products repulsive. And they keep away from away the areas that emit these scents.

What’s more, these methods are safe for use around the home and provide a fresh, clean aroma to your bedroom.

Cleaning and Restructuring the Bedroom

To tackle ants in my bedroom, I focused on minimizing their hiding places.

I was also hyper-focused on maintaining cleanliness.

This targeted approach involves regular vacuuming, strategic restructuring, and proper waste management.

Vacuum Regularly

I make it a habit to vacuum my bedroom frequently.

I targeted corners, edges, and under the bed—a routine that prevents ants from settling.

Vacuuming and cleaning disrupts any potential ant trails. It also removes food particles that might attract them.

• Frequency: At least twice a week
• Focus areas: Corners, beneath furniture, and closet floors
• Vacuum type: A unit with a HEPA filter to capture the smallest debris

Restructure Bedroom to Reduce Shelter

I meticulously rearrange my bedroom furniture to eliminate possible shelters for ants.

It included restructuring the bedroom space. Restructuring removed damp, dark corners. Ants could have build their colonies in those areas.

• Bed placement: Ensure ample space around the bed
• Furniture gap: Maintain a gap between the furniture and the walls
• Clutter: Regularly declutter to avoid creating hiding spots

Daily Trash Disposal

I am adamant to dispose of trash daily.

It maintained my bedroom’s status as a clean, ant-unfriendly sanctuary. This means not leaving any waste in the bedroom trash bin that could become an ant attractant.

• Trash can with a lid: To contain odors and deter ants
• Daily emptying: Ensuring waste doesn’t accumulate
• Cleaning: I cleaned surfaces to prevent residue buildup. It also removed ant pheromone trails.

A clean bedroom and least to no potential shelters, ensured that I kept ants out of my bedroom.

Basic Ant Prevention Strategies

To effectively rid my bedroom of ants, I’ve learned that prevention is essential.

Here’s how I focus on cleanliness, food storage, and home maintenance to keep these pests at bay.

Maintain Cleanliness

As I mentioned earlier, regular vacuum cleaning and wiping down surfaces are vital.

It eliminates any food crumbs or spills that might attract ants.

Do not overlook potential food sources for ants. Things like pet food dishes or even small candy wrappers under the bed are ant magnets.

• Regular Cleaning: Vacuum or sweep at least once a week.
• Immediate Attention to Spills: Clean up any food or drink spills as soon as you find them

Secure Food Sources

I store all my food in airtight containers, especially sweets and baking ingredients. These attract ants the most.

Proper storage of foods significantly reduces the chances of ant infestation.

• Airtight Containers: Use them for all pantry items.
• Refrigerate Perishables: Keep fruits and other perishables in the fridge.

Repair Leaks and Seal Cracks

I fixed water leaks in my kitchen and bathroom sinks immediately.

Water leaks build up moisture. And excessive moisture can spread to your bedroom, causing damp walls and furniture.

The dampness attract ants and many other bugs and flies to your bedroom.

Additionally, I seal all potential entry points, such as window sills and door frames.

Sealing blocked ants from accessing my bedroom from the outside

• Regular Inspections: Check for damp areas or leaks around the room.
• Sealing Entry Points:
  • Caulk cracks around windows and baseboards.
  • Install door sweeps on exterior doors leading to the bedroom.

Long-Term Ant Prevention

To keep ants away, it’s essential to focus on home upkeep and using ant repelling products.

Also, everyone in the home understands and applies ant prevention hacks.

Regular Home Maintenance

I inspect my home for possible ant entry points to my bedroom.

I check for cracks or crevices in walls and flooring.

Any gaps I find, especially where pipes and wires enter the building, I seal with caulk.

Caulking not only blocks but also improves the energy efficiency of the house.

• Inspect: Monthly checks for cracks and gaps
• Seal: Caulk found openings promptly

Utilize Preventive Products

I make it a habit to use products designed to deter ants and create barriers that prevent their entry.

I use ant baits and non-repellent insecticides. I put them in places where ants are likely to look for food. It reduced the likelihood of infestations.

Additionally, I ensure that these products are out of reach of pets and children.

• Ant Baits: Place near likely entry points
• Insecticides: Use as directed, safely

Treat The Yard For Ants

Most ant invasions occur from the yard. So, I ensure that my yard is ant-free.

I’ve a separate guide on how to get rid of ants in the yard which you can read.

I’ve used ant granules along my home’s perimeter. You dig a ditch, preferable 1-2 inches deep and 4-5 inches wide along the home’s perimeter.

You scatter the ant granules. Sprinkle water in it. And fill up the ditch.

The ant granules are effective insecticides and they last for more than six months.

They prevent ants, and even termites, from invading your homes from underground.

Educate Householders on Ant Prevention

Educating those I live with about ant prevention is a key element.

I explain the importance of storing food in airtight containers. And keeping the kitchen and dining areas free of crumbs and spills.

I also stress the necessity of garbage disposal to eliminate potential ant attractants.

• Food Storage: Use airtight containers
• Cleanliness: Maintain a crumb-free environment
• Garbage Disposal: Dispose garbage regularly and securely

When To Call an Exterminator

Severe ant infestations always need help of an experienced and certified pest controller.

DIY methods work, till they don’t.

Ants can come back despite your best efforts. It happens when you’ve failed to locate and destroy the ant nests.

And it’s difficult to locate all the active ant nests. For example, carpenter ants build satellite nests all over the house. They do it to protect the queen.

And too many carpenter ants can destroy the structural integrity of your home.

And some ants, such as pavement ants, build nests inside the cracks on the floor and walls.

You’ll need a professional exterminator when ant presence persists despite all your efforts.

Summary

Laser focused and precise treatment methods are keys to battle ants in the bedroom. Unveiling their secrets—species, trails, and nests—is your first victorious move.

Then you move onto the offensive by killing the ants and their nests.

But that’s not enough. You need to make your bedroom ant-repellent by using the tricks I laid out.

But an exterminator is your only option when you’re battling a severe ant infestation.

Don’t let ants compromise your comfort; take action today!