As the rain slows and temperatures rise across Eastside Seattle, a familiar nuisance is back in force: tiny ants especially in kitchens, break rooms, and around windows. Whether you’re a homeowner in Sammamish, Bellevue, Kirkland or managing a café in Bellevue, these persistent pests seem to show up overnight.
But why now, and why you? Let’s break down the real reasons behind this springtime invasion and what you can actually do to stop it.
What Are These Tiny Ants?
Most of the tiny ants showing up indoors this time of year are odorous house ants sometimes called “sugar ants”, and occasionally pavement ants. Here’s how to identify them:
Very small about 1/8 inch long
Dark brown to black in color
Attracted to sweets, grease, and moisture
Often seen in kitchens, pantries, and around sinks
Emit a faint “rotten coconut” smell when crushed
Why They Appear in Spring
- Moisture Drives Them Indoors
After a wet winter, soil around buildings is saturated. Ant colonies that normally stay outside get flooded or too damp so they move up and into dry, warm spaces like wall voids, kitchen cabinets, or behind appliances. - Food Is Scarce Outside
Natural food sources like dead insects or nectar are limited in early spring. Kitchens, staff rooms, and break areas become prime feeding grounds. Even crumbs or pet food can attract a full colony. - Warmer Weather Ant Activity
Once daytime temperatures consistently hit the 50s and 60s, dormant ant colonies become active. Scout ants go hunting for food and water and if they find it in your building, the whole colony may follow. Why Homes and Businesses Are Both at Risk
Whether it’s a suburban home or a small business, there are a few common factors that make Eastside structures ideal for spring ant infestations:
Cracks or gaps around windows, pipes, or outlets provide easy access.
Landscaping that touches the foundation (mulch, ivy, or groundcover) acts as a highway straight to your walls.
Moisture issues like leaky pipes, condensation, or clogged gutters create the perfect environment.
Accessible food from toast crumbs to recycling bins—keeps them coming back.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Stop Spraying Start Baiting
Store-bought sprays only kill the ants you see. Worse, they can scatter the colony and make the problem harder to fix. The real solution is slow-acting bait.
Pro Tip: Use liquid ant bait like Terro or make your own with sugar and borax. Ants carry it back to the nest, wiping out the colony from within.
Place bait stations:
Along ant trails
Behind or under appliances
Near window sills or baseboards
Out of reach of pets and kids
Let the ants gather bait for 3–5 days before cleaning trails.
- Disrupt Their Scent Trails
Ants communicate using invisible pheromone trails. To erase them:
Wipe surfaces with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water
Use it on counters, entry points, and floors
Reapply daily during active infestations
- Seal Their Entry Points
Check these spots and seal with caulk or weatherproof foam:
Gaps near plumbing or under sinks
Cracks in foundation or baseboards
Gaps around window frames and doors
Electrical or HVAC access points
Even a pinhole-sized crack is big enough for ants.
- Control Moisture and Food Access
Fix leaks, drips, and standing water
Store food in airtight containers
Clean under kitchen appliances and trash cans
Empty indoor compost and garbage daily
Don’t leave pet food out overnight
When to Call a Pro
If ants keep coming back after 1–2 weeks of baiting and sealing, it might be time to bring in help. Professional exterminators can:
Locate hidden nests (under floors, in walls, or outside under concrete)
Use non repellent treatments that kill without scattering the colony
Offer long-term monitoring and prevention plans
Look for Eastside pest control companies that use Integrated Pest Management to avoid excessive chemical use and focus on sustainable solutions.
Eastside homes and businesses are uniquely vulnerable to tiny kitchen ants in spring, thanks to our mild winters, damp soil, and lush landscaping. But with a little strategy, you can get ahead of the problem and keep it from coming back.
Spring Ant Control Checklist:
Place bait stations at the first sign of ants
Disrupt scent trails with vinegar
Seal all cracks and access points
Eliminate excess moisture
Maintain food hygiene
Have you dealt with ants this spring in your home or business? Share what’s worked or what hasn’t. Your experience might help someone else stop the swarm.