Ants walk right past the bait. What now?

It usually means this bait is not what this colony wants right now, not that nothing works. Ants are picky. Some kinds go for sugar, others for grease or protein, and the same colony can switch as the season changes and it raises young. If there is cat food nearby, the bait has a rival it cannot beat. All of that can be fixed.

Why ants skip a bait

• Wrong food. A sweet bait means nothing to ants that want protein right now.
• Better food nearby. Pet food, crumbs or a sticky jar win every time.
• Old bait. Gel and liquid baits dry out. A dry station is just a box.
• Off the trail. A station a short way from the trail can be missed altogether.
• Spray or cleaner close by. Strong smells and sprays near the bait can put ants off it.

Test what they want

This takes an hour and saves weeks.

1. Put two small pieces of card on the trail. On one, a dab of jam or honey. On the other, a small smear of something greasy, like a bit of oil from a tin of tuna.
2. Come back in an hour. Whichever one they crowd is your answer.
3. Pick a bait labelled for that food type. Baits are sold as sweet, or as protein or grease based, and the label says which.
4. Bin the test cards, so they do not compete with the new bait.

If they are already going for the cat’s food, that is a clue: a protein bait is the likely match.

Take the competition away

• Feed the cat at set times and lift the bowl when it has eaten.
• Or stand the bowl in a shallow dish of water, a little moat ants cannot cross. Keep the outer dish clean.
• Store dry pet food in a sealed tub, not the open bag.
• Wipe the feeding spot with soapy water after meals.

Place it right, then wait

Put stations right on the trail, close to where the ants come in, for example the gap in the floorboards. Do not spray near them, and do not clean the trail right next to them. Replace stations when they are empty or dried out.

More ants at the bait for a few days is a good sign. They are carrying it home. Fewer ants after that means it is reaching the nest.

One more thing about very small, pale or brownish ants indoors. Some of these kinds can split into several nests when they are sprayed or disturbed, which spreads the problem. With them, use bait only, and be patient.

Cats and other pets: use enclosed stations and put them where your cat cannot get to them, such as behind heavy furniture or in a cupboard the ants are using. Never put them next to food bowls. Cats climb, so a worktop is not out of reach. Follow the label, and check the product is allowed where you live. If your pet chews a station, keep the packaging and call your vet. See ant bait with a baby or pets and pest control and pets.

Do shop baits actually work?

Yes, when the food matches what the ants want, the station sits on the trail, and you give it time. The brand matters less than that match. Once things go quiet, seal the way in, using our guide to sealing gaps.

If you have tried both food types, placed them well and the trail has not changed after a few weeks, it is time for a professional. A pest controller can identify the ant and reach nests inside walls. The ant guide covers the basics.