As a landlord, you’re used to juggling everything from repairs to tenant concerns, but tiny invaders like ants can still catch you off guard. If you’ve ever walked into a kitchen and found a line of them trailing across the counter, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of ants in an apartment without reaching for harsh chemicals.
The good news? There are natural, effective ways to send them packing — and we’re here to break them down for you. Read along to learn what really works, why ants keep coming back, and how to help prevent future invasions with simple, safe solutions.
Main Takeaways
How to get rid of ants in an apartment naturally:
- Lofts: Open layouts with high ceilings and an industrial feel—ideal for creativity but less private and potentially higher utility costs.
- Apartments: Defined rooms, built-in storage, and better energy efficiency—great for everyday comfort, privacy, and lower utility bills.
- Choosing what’s best: Consider lifestyle, budget, and practical needs to find a rental that truly suits your routine.
Why Ants Invade Apartments
Before we jump into how to get rid of ants in apartment, let’s talk about why ants show up in the first place. The truth is that ants aren’t just being annoying —they’re on a mission. And if you’ve had tenant complaints or noticed ants becoming a recurring problem, it might help to see how property management companies in Washington, D.C. approach pest control in multi-unit buildings. There’s often more to it than just a can of spray.
These tiny creatures are always on the lookout for food and water. And in an apartment where everything’s compact, it doesn’t take much to attract them. A few crumbs on the counter? They’ll find them. A small splash of water near the sink? That’s basically an invitation.
Natural Ant Deterrents That Actually Work (In Our Experience)
Here’s the good news — when it comes to how to get rid of ants in an apartment, you don’t always need strong chemicals to deal with ants. In fact, you might already have a few effective fixes sitting right in your kitchen. Besides keeping the place clean and crumb-free, try these natural tricks that can actually help keep ants away:
1. Distilled White Vinegar
Ants absolutely hate the smell of vinegar. They rely on pheromone trails to lead their friends to food sources, but spraying white vinegar directly on those paths can wipe the trail clean. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and hit baseboards, countertops, and entry points. It’s simple—and from what we’ve observed, it works wonders.
2. Citrus Fruits
Lemons, limes, and oranges may smell fresh to us, but to ants, they’re a no-go. Wiping surfaces with lemon juice or leaving citrus peels near windows and doors can help repel them naturally. It’s like nature’s “Do Not Enter” sign.
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is also a strong deterrent. You can sprinkle it along entry points or mix cinnamon essential oil with water for a spray. Essentially, the smell messes with their senses and can keep them away.
4. Peppermint Oil
A few drops of peppermint oil in water make a powerful ant-repelling spray. It smells great to us, but it’s overwhelming to ants. Spray around baseboards, under sinks, and in corners where ants like to hide, with a big asterisk: peppermint oil is toxic to pets, so we recommend you go with another solution if you have one.
5. Salt
Plain old table salt can dry out and repel ants. Sprinkle it near doors or any cracks where ants seem to be coming from. It’s a cheap fix, but surprisingly effective.
6. Cayenne or Black Pepper
Spicy stuff is a major turnoff for ants. Sprinkle cayenne or black pepper in areas where you’ve spotted them. It doesn’t kill them, but it definitely can drive them away.
7. Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds can block their paths and mask the scent trails they leave behind. Just place them along windowsills, doorways, or garden edges, and you should be good to go!
How To Seal Entry Points in an Apartment
Ants sneak in through the tiniest cracks and gaps. If you really want to stop them for good, sealing those entry points is key. So, here’s how you (or your maintenance team) can do it right:
1. Inspect the Usual Suspects
Start with the most common places ants use to get in:
- Cracks in the walls or baseboards
- Gaps around windows and door frames
- Under the kitchen sink (look around plumbing lines)
- Electrical outlets and light switches
- Any vents or cable/internet access points
Basically, anywhere there’s a gap—even the size of a pinhead—ants can squeeze through. Take a flashlight and do a slow walk-through of the apartment, especially around the kitchen and bathroom.
2. Use Caulk for Gaps and Cracks
For tiny holes and cracks around windows, baseboards, and walls, caulk is your best friend. It’s cheap, easy to use, and dries quickly. In particular, we have found that silicone or latex caulk works well indoors.
Just clean the surface first, then squeeze the caulk into the crack. Smooth it out with your finger or a tool, and that’s it. One tube can seal dozens of little entry points.
3. Foam Sealant for Bigger Gaps
If the hole is too big for caulk, like around pipes or cables, grab a can of expanding foam sealant. It fills the space and hardens up to block ants (and even rodents, in some cases).
4. Weather Stripping for Doors & Windows
Sometimes ants come in right through your door—literally. If there’s a gap between the door and the floor, installing weather stripping or a door sweep can help close it off. This also saves on energy bills, so it’s a win-win.
5. Mesh Screens for Vents and Drains
Ants can come up through vents or drains, especially in older buildings. Covering these with fine mesh screens can stop them without blocking airflow. For bathroom or kitchen drains, make sure there’s no standing water and use a drain cover.
What D.C. Law Says About Ants in Apartments
If you’re a landlord in Washington, D.C., you need to know that pest control isn’t just a courtesy — it’s the law. D.C. housing rules clearly say that landlords must provide safe, livable homes, and yes, that includes keeping apartments free from pests like ants. Here is what the lay says:
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The Warranty of Habitability
Under what’s called the Warranty of Habitability, you’re legally required to make sure your rental unit is livable. That means if there’s a pest problem—whether it’s ants, roaches, or mice—you’re expected to fix it. This is clearly laid out in D.C.’s Tenant Bill of Rights.
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Who’s Responsible—You or the Tenant?
It depends on the type of property. For an apartment building (3+ units): The responsibility is usually on you, the landlord. For single-family homes or duplexes, the lease might say the tenant has to handle it, but if the pest problem makes the place unlivable, you still need to step in. So, even if your lease says that “pest control is the tenant’s job,” that doesn’t fully let you off the hook.
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Make It Clear in the Lease
Speaking of leases, we recommend you include a section about pest control in your lease agreement. That way, both you and your tenant know what’s expected. You have a paper trail to refer to in case you get into a dispute. Just remember—again, your lease can’t override the law. If the place is infested and the tenant complains, you’re still legally required to act.
But What if My Property Isn’t in D.C.?
In general, landlords are responsible for maintaining safe and livable rental units–and by extension, that typically includes handling pest infestations like ants. For multi-unit buildings, landlords usually need to provide pest control, while single-family rentals may have lease agreements that shift the responsibility to tenants. However, if an infestation makes a unit uninhabitable, the landlord is still typically required to step in, regardless of what the lease says. Local laws and tenant rights often reinforce these obligations, so be sure to look at your jurisdiction’s.
Stay Ahead of the Problem Before It Crawls In
In terms of how to get rid of ants in your apartment naturally, you can address the issue with natural deterrents like vinegar, citrus, and sealing entry points to prevent future problems. Typically, pest control is a landlord’s legal responsibility under the Warranty of Habitability. Putting it in other words, they must ensure rental units stay livable even if leases assign the pest management to tenants.
Meanwhile, at Bay Property Management Group, we focus on the details — even the tiny, six-legged ones. We inspect proactively, write clear lease terms, and respond tenant concerns–for 6,000 properties in Maryland, D.C., Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia, and more. That’s how we help landlords handle pest problems the smart way. Don’t let ants turn into a tenant complaint. Instead, partner with a team that stays one step ahead. Reach out to us today and let us come up with a plan that protects your property and keeps your tenants happy.
