How to Get Rid of Ants in Crawl Space in 5 Easy Steps

If you’ve noticed ants invading the crawl space under your home, it’s important to take action right away. An ant infestation in this area can lead to structural damage, contamination of food, and bites.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn why it’s critical to get rid of ants in your crawl space and follow 5 easy DIY steps to kick them out for good. We’ll also cover when you may need to call in a professional exterminator.

Why It’s Important to Get Rid of Ants in Your Crawl Space

Ants in your crawl space can cause several problematic issues if left uncontrolled. Here are some of the main reasons you’ll want to eliminate an ant problem in your home as soon as possible:

Structural Damage – One of the biggest concerns with ants in your crawl space is that they can do serious damage to the wooden structural elements. Carpenter ants are especially prone to hollowing out wood to make their nests. Other species will eat away at wood over time as well, compromising its integrity. This can lead to very costly repairs if left unaddressed.
Contamination of Food – Ants follow scent trails to find food. If they make their way into your home from the crawl space, they can get into your pantry, cupboards, and other areas where you store food. This leads to contamination as the ants crawl all over the food surfaces. Eating anything ants have swarmed puts you at risk of getting sick.

Painful Bites – Some ant species are more aggressive than others when defending their nest. Fire ants, for example, will repeatedly sting humans and pets that disturb them. This results in a burning, painful reaction. Nobody wants to get bitten by ants coming up from the crawl space into the home.

Table summarizing the main problems caused by ants in crawl spaces

Problem	Description
Structural Damage	Ants can damage and deteriorate wood over time
Contamination of Food	Ants get into stored food in the home
Painful Bites	Aggressive ants species will bite and sting

As you can see, an ant infestation should never be ignored. The longer you allow the ants to make themselves at home in your crawl space, the more likely you’ll experience these unpleasant consequences.

Taking prompt action by following the steps outlined below will help you safely and effectively get rid of the ants.

5 Easy Steps to Get Rid of Ants in Your Crawl Space

Getting rid of ants in your crawl space is very doable on your own without requiring professional help. Follow these 5 easy DIY steps to kick ants out and prevent future infestations:

Step 1: Locate and Remove Food Sources That Attract Ants

The first step is to inspect your crawl space to find and eliminate any food sources that are attracting ants into this area.

Ants follow scent trails left by other ants to find food. If you remove what they’re eating, you’ll stop them in their tracks.

Here are some tips for locating and removing ant food sources in your crawl space:

Thoroughly clean the entire crawl space to remove any spilled food, crumbs, or residues that may be drawing ants in. Vacuum up any debris.

Look for openings in bags or containers where ants may be getting into pet food, bird seed, or other items stored in the crawl space. Discard anything that’s been contaminated.
Make sure crawl space vents are sealed properly so ants can’t gain access from outside.
Check for leaks or condensation that allow water to accumulate in the crawl space. Standing water can attract ants.

Inspect around pipes or wiring holes to ensure ants aren’t exploiting gaps to find food. Seal openings with caulk.
Remove trash and clutter from the crawl space that could offer food waste. Ants are resourceful at finding scraps to eat!
Consult a pest control professional if you suspect ants may have nested inside the walls or support beams of the home. This requires different removal tactics.

Thoroughly depriving ants of their food source is a critical first step. Without nourishment, it’s much harder for them to thrive in your crawl space.

Step 2: Use Ant Baits and Traps

Once you’ve eliminated food sources, your next step is to use ant baits and traps strategically placed throughout the crawl space. These provide targeted ways to control ants:

Ant Baits

Ant baits contain a pesticide mixed with something ants love to eat, like sugary syrup. Worker ants bring the bait back to feed the rest of the colony.

The pesticide then kills off the queen ant and the rest of the nest.

Advantages of ant baits:

Convenient – no spraying required. Just place it near ant trails.
Effective – ants do the work of distributing bait to kill off the entire colony.
Safer – contained risk versus spraying.

Follow the tips below for using ant baits in crawl spaces:

Place baits along ant trails and near entry points like foundation cracks.
Use a bait product specifically formulated for ants for best results.

Replenish baits regularly until ant trails disappear.
Combine baits with other control methods for severe infestations.

Ant Traps

Ant traps capture worker ants in sticky glue or use poison bait. They provide ongoing control of ants entering the crawl space.

Benefits of ant traps:

Low maintenance – leave in place and reuse until the problem is gone.

Prevents reinfestation – traps new ants as they attempt to enter.
Cost-effective solution for long-term control.

Follow these tips for optimal placement of ant traps in crawl spaces:

Position traps near foundation walls, along plumbing, and near vents or other possible entry points.
For best results, use ant traps and baits together to control ants inside and outside the crawl space.
Check traps frequently and replace them as needed until ants are fully eradicated.

Step 3: Apply Insecticide Sprays and Dusts

For more severe ant infestations, insecticide sprays and dusts provide added firepower to destroy ants in your crawl space. Use these chemical products with caution:

Insecticide Sprays

Liquid insecticide sprays allow you to directly drench ant nests and trails with powerful ant-killer chemicals. Look for a spray specifically made for ants and apply as follows:

Spray ant nests you find in the crawl space or trailing up into the home.
Treat areas where ants are entering the crawl space like foundation cracks.

Spray around pipes, vents, and perimeter walls where ants travel.
Use protective equipment like gloves and goggles during application for safety.
Limit use around any water sources like pipes to prevent contamination.

Insecticide Dusts

Insecticide dusts contain fine particles that stick to ants’ bodies and are carried back to the nest. The ants then ingest the poison and die. Use dust in areas like these:

Sprinkle dust in cracks and crevices where ants are traveling.

Puff dust into wall voids and other hidden spaces where nests may be.
Apply a perimeter dust barrier around foundation walls and entry points.
Wear a mask so you don’t inhale the dust while applying.

Key tips for safe use of sprays and dusts:

Carefully follow all label precautions and directions.
Limit use in enclosed crawl spaces due to the potential buildup of fumes.

Avoid overuse – only apply enough insecticide to treat affected areas.

Insecticide sprays and dusts can provide that extra ant-killing power when combined properly with baits and traps.

Use them strategically instead of broadcasting them everywhere for the best results.

Step 4: Seal Up Entry Points into the Crawl Space

Once you’ve knocked down the majority of ants with the steps above, your next move is to seal up entry points into the crawl space. This helps keep new ants from getting back in.

Here are some of the main places to check and seal:

Cracks or gaps in the foundation – Use concrete caulk or expanding foam to seal any crevices or openings in the foundation walls, footers, and joints.

Around pipes, wires, or vents – Install weatherstripping or caulk around any penetrations into the crawl space to close gaps. Copper mesh can also be placed around pipes.
Access doors or hatches – Make sure crawl space entry doors or hatches have a tight seal when closed. Consider adding weatherstripping for extra protection.

Thoroughly sealing your crawl space presents obstacles that keep ants from finding their way back in. Maintain vigilance and check for any new cracks or openings that require re-sealing.

Step 5: Make the Crawl Space Less Hospitable for Ants

In addition to sealing entry points, you can also make the environment inside your crawl space less inviting to ants. This provides long-term prevention:

Improve ventilation – Make sure vents are clear so air flows freely. Increase air circulation if the space is damp.
Eliminate moisture – Fix any leaks, improve drainage, and dehumidify damp air. Ants love moisture.

Reduce clutter – A clear, open space allows fewer places for ants to hide and build nests.
Maintain cleanliness – Keep the crawl space free of food debris and regularly vacuum. Don’t give ants a reason to return!

Making your crawl space clean, dry, and inhospitable to ants will provide ongoing prevention and reduce the risk of future infestations taking hold.

When to Call a Professional Exterminator

While the 5 steps outlined above should successfully rid your crawl space of ants in most cases, there are some situations where you may need to call in a professional exterminator:

You’ve identified an ant species that is difficult to control, like carpenter ants or pharaoh ants. Professionals have the specific products and expertise to treat these ants.
The ant infestation is very severe, with multiple nests and major trails throughout the crawl space. At a certain point, professional-grade chemicals and treatment may be required.

You’ve diligently tried the DIY steps for several weeks with no success in lowering the ant population. A second opinion from an exterminator can help identify any underlying issues.
There are signs the ants have expanded into wall voids, support beams, or other areas that require greater effort to treat properly. Professionals have the tools to access these spaces.
The ant problem poses health risks for your family such as cockroaches spreading disease or fire ants causing painful stings. Pest control experts can eliminate these risks.

Take time to assess whether your DIY efforts have successfully resolved the ant problem in your crawl space. If not, don’t hesitate to consult a licensed exterminator. Share what treatments you’ve already tried and work with them to address any lingering issues.

Conclusion

If ants have invaded the crawl space under your home, it’s critical to act quickly and decisively. As outlined in this guide, ants in crawl spaces can lead to structural damage, food contamination, and painful ant bites if left unchecked.

By following these 5 DIY steps – removing food sources, using baits/traps, applying insecticides, sealing entry points, and making the space less hospitable – you can successfully kick ants out of your crawl space and prevent future infestations.

Be diligent in your control efforts and be patient for results. If DIY options fall short, contact a pest control professional for expert treatment.

With the right strategy, you can safely eliminate ants from your crawl space and the problems they create. Your diligent efforts will pay off in an ant-free space.