Ant Infestation: What Attracts Them & How to Stop It

Ants are one of the most common pests in Malaysian homes, hostels, restaurants, and offices. You might see just a few at first, but behind the scenes, a whole colony could be building up often inside your walls, floor cracks, or even electrical sockets.

In this blog, we’ll cover:

• Why ants invade your space

• The types of ants commonly found in Malaysia

• How ant colonies grow

• What attracts ants indoors

• Tips to prevent and control ant infestations
  
   

Why Do Ants Come Indoors?

Ants are constantly searching for food and water. Once a scout ant finds a good source — like sugary drinks, crumbs, or grease — it leaves a scent trail for others to follow. That’s how a few ants quickly turn into a long trail of hundreds.

They usually enter through:

• Window gaps and door frames

• Wall cracks and tiles

• Drainpipes and weep holes

• Tree branches touching walls
  
   

Common Ant Species in Malaysia

Here are some ants you’re likely to encounter:

Ghost Ants (Tiny white ants)

Often found in kitchens, especially near sweet foods. Hard to spot due to their small size.

Pharaoh Ants

Extremely small and often nest inside walls or electrical outlets. Known to form multiple colonies.

Carpenter Ants

Larger black ants. They don’t eat wood, but nest inside damp wood and can damage structures.

Fire Ants

Aggressive and deliver painful stings. Usually found outdoors but can enter buildings.


 

 The Ant Colony: How It Works

Ant colonies are complex, made up of:

• Queen – The egg-laying machine; she stays hidden

• Workers – Collect food, maintain the nest, and care for young

• Soldiers – Protect the colony

• Winged Ants (Swarmers) – Reproductive ants that fly out to start new colonies

 Killing a few worker ants doesn’t solve the problem. You need to eliminate the entire colony, especially the queen.


 

What Attracts Ants Indoors?

Ants also love moisture, so leaking pipes, wet sponges, and floor traps can attract them too.


 

Are Ants Dangerous?

While ants don’t usually carry disease, they can still be a problem:

• Contaminate food and food prep areas

• Bite or sting (fire ants)

• Damage wood and insulation (carpenter ants)

• Attract other pests like spiders or lizards

• Hurt your business image (bad reviews, health inspections)
  
  
   

Why DIY Ant Sprays Often Fail

Over-the-counter sprays kill only the ants you see. But the real colony is hidden, and spraying can cause the colony to split and relocate, making things worse.

Common DIY mistakes:

• Spraying the trail (disrupts scent, but doesn’t kill colony)

• Using bait incorrectly

• Not sealing entry points

• Ignoring food/water sources
  
  
   

Our Ant Control Service (For Homes & Businesses)

At PestSol Sdn Bhd, we use a strategic approach for long-lasting results:

Site inspection to locate trails & nests
Targeted gel baiting (ants bring poison back to the colony)
Residual spraying for prevention
Advice on sealing, sanitation & future-proofing
Monthly/quarterly contracts for F&B outlets and hostels

Our treatments are safe, effective, and customised for residential and commercial properties.


 

 Prevention Tips After Treatment

• Wipe counters and floors daily

• Store sweet and greasy food in airtight containers

• Seal entry points like cracks and wall gaps

• Empty trash bins regularly

• Fix any moisture problems (leaks, wet cloths, floor traps)

• Keep pet food bowls clean