27-05-2025
Ask Wirecutter: I'm So Grossed Out by Ants Invading My Home! Can You Help?
Ants are omnivores, and they primarily like sugar, protein, and oil. 'Every kind of thing that we all have in the kitchen, right? Drinks, pastry, cooking oil, and pet food has a lot of oil and protein,' said Changlu Wang, PhD, an extension specialist in entomology at Rutgers University, in a video interview.
Now, I know I said that ants don't pose an immediate health threat to most people in most situations, but that doesn't mean you want to be sharing a sugar bowl with the little guys. Every open container of food is at risk and must be sealed up.
The Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers, a top pick in our guide to dry food storage containers, have successfully helped Wirecutter staff members curb kitchen-bug problems.
Although we truly love them, we also understand that they can be pricey, and it adds up when literally every food item you have needs to go inside them. 'I didn't have the money for the Rubbermaid containers during my pest nightmare, so I bulk-bought some cheapo ones, and they worked just fine,' says writer Abigail Bailey. 'Though I'd still recommend the Rubbermaid, since we've specifically tested them for bugs.' Anything with a firm seal should work — zip-top bags are also great in a pinch.
Feel free to stick any food that can go in the fridge that you don't normally put there (sugar, flour) into the fridge for the duration of your ant issue, as that may give it an additional layer of protection.
Also, keep your pet food sealed in a container, and if your animal has a tendency to leave some bites behind in their bowl, seal it up for later or throw it away. If you leave it out, all you're doing is luring those scout ants into your lair. Your goal is to stop them from telling all their friends about the cool all-they-can-eat buffet in your kitchen. Uphill sugar skiing is a competitive ant sport (we assume). Dana Davis/NYT Wirecutter and Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter
