Regular trails of ants on benches, windowsills or walls, ants in food, small soil mounds along paths and ants coming out of wall gaps are the most common signs. Winged ants in warm weather can also point to a nearby nest. If ants keep returning after you clean, the colony is probably still active.

Cleanliness helps, but ants are very good at finding even tiny crumbs and moisture. Hot, dry or very wet weather can also push them inside from outdoor nests. Gaps around windows, doors and pipes give them an easy way in, so a tidy home can still have ants.

It depends on the species. Trailing ants are often treated with baits that workers carry back to the nest, plus a targeted perimeter treatment. Other ants need the nest found and treated directly. An inspection helps identify the ants and decide which method suits your property.

Spraying kills the ants you can see but usually doesn’t reach the nest. Repellent sprays can also scatter workers and split a colony into several smaller ones, which makes baiting harder. It’s usually better to leave the trail alone until your technician has inspected.

Professional products are applied according to label directions and safety requirements, and baits are placed where children and pets can’t easily reach them. Your technician will explain where children and pets should stay during treatment and how long to wait before returning, as this varies by product and method.

You may notice fewer ants within days, but baits are slow-acting by design so the colony is affected before the ants die. It can take a few weeks for activity to settle, and you may see more ants at the bait at first. A follow-up visit may be recommended.

Yes, they can. New ants may move in from neighbouring properties or gardens, especially if food, moisture and gaps are still available. Good cleaning habits, sealing entry points, trimming plants away from the house and checking regularly all help reduce the chance of a repeat problem.