Ants in the Dishwasher: How to Get Rid of Them Easily

Photo of a Giant ant on top of the dishwasher. Ants in the Dishwasher.

Do you have ants in the dishwasher? Finding these pesky insects crawling around your clean dishes can be frustrating. Ants are attracted to your dishwasher because they can smell food residue, even after a wash cycle. It’s important to deal with ants in your dishwasher quickly before they can cause damage or infest other areas of your home.

The type of ant that you’re dealing with will determine the best way to get rid of them. Sugar ants, carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, and odorous ants are some of the most common species that can find their way into your dishwasher.

You may notice ants crawling around the dishwasher door, behind the dishwasher, or even inside the dishwasher itself. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to eliminate the ants and keep them from coming back.

Why Are There Ants in Your Dishwasher?

Ants in your dishwasher can be a frustrating and unsanitary problem. But why are these tiny pests drawn to your dishwasher in the first place? One reason ants love dishwashers is because they are attracted to food residue.

Even if you scrape your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, there may still be small bits of food left behind. To an ant, this is a feast. Sugar ants, also known as odorous ants, are especially attracted to sweet or greasy substances, making your dishwasher an ideal spot for them to congregate.

Another reason ants may be coming into your dishwasher is because they are looking for water. Dishwashers have a moist environment, and even a small amount of standing water can be a magnet for thirsty ants. Sewer ants, for example, are known for seeking out damp areas, including your dishwasher.

However, carpenter ants may be drawn to the wood behind your dishwasher if there is water damage or rot. Pharaoh ants, on the other hand, are known for nesting in warm, moist areas, making your dishwasher an ideal spot for them to set up shop.

Regardless of the type of ant, it’s important to deal with ants in your dishwasher as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading to other areas of your home. In the next section, we’ll discuss some tips to help you get rid of ants in your dishwasher.

How to Get Rid of Ants in the Dishwasher

Ants in the dishwasher can be a frustrating problem to deal with. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to get rid of them and prevent them from coming back. Below are some effective methods to eliminate ants in your dishwasher.

Step 1: Clean the Dishwasher Thoroughly

The first step in getting rid of ants in your dishwasher is to clean it thoroughly. Ants are attracted to food particles and crumbs, so make sure to remove any leftover food from the dishwasher. Clean out the dishwasher filter or strainer to make sure there are no food particles left inside. Not only will this make your dishwasher less attractive to ants, but it will also help it to run better.

Flush the drain with vinegar and baking soda or some commercial pipe cleaner. Vinegar is a natural way to kill ants in your dishwasher. Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of lemon juice and water, then apply it to the ants and any locations where you’ve observed ant presence. Boiling water down the drain is also an effective method of getting rid of ants in the dishwasher.

Step 2: Seal Off Any Entry Points

Check for the port of entry and remove it by caulking over it so ants can no longer get into the dishwasher area. Once you find and identify the ant entrance, work to get rid of them. Make sure to seal off any cracks or gaps around the dishwasher or elsewhere to prevent ants from coming into your home.

Step 3: Use Ant Baits or Traps

If you see ants crawling around your dishwasher, use ant baits or traps to kill the ants. Ant baits work by attracting ants to a poisonous substance that they will carry back to their colony, killing the ants. Place the ant baits in areas where you have seen ants, including your dishwasher.

Another way to get rid of ants in your dishwasher is to use ant traps. Ant traps work by luring ants into a container filled with a sticky substance that they cannot escape from. Place the ant traps near the dishwasher or anywhere else where you have seen ants.

Step 4: Call a Professional Exterminator

If you have tried all of the above methods and still cannot get rid of the ants in your dishwasher, it may be time to call in a professional exterminator. A pest control expert can identify the type of ant that is causing the problem and recommend the best course of action to eliminate them. They can also provide tips on how to prevent ants from coming back in the future.

Preventing Ants from Getting into the Dishwasher

It’s time to establish a clean, ant-free zone and restore harmony in your kitchen once and for all!

Clean up spills and crumbs immediately

One of the best ways to prevent ants from entering your dishwasher is to keep your kitchen clean. Ants are attracted to food, so any spills or crumbs left around the dishwasher or elsewhere can easily attract these pests. Immediately wipe up spills and crumbs, especially around the dishwasher. This will help eliminate any food sources that may be attracting ants.

Store food properly

Another way to prevent ants from getting into your dishwasher is to store your food properly. Ants can easily find their way into open containers or packages of food, so make sure to store your food in airtight containers. This will help keep ants from getting inside the containers and will make it harder for them to find any food sources in your kitchen.

Seal off cracks and crevices

Ants can easily find their way into your home through small cracks and crevices. To prevent ants from coming into your home, make sure to seal off any cracks or crevices around your dishwasher and other areas of your home. This will help keep ants from finding their way inside and will make it harder for them to get into your dishwasher.

Use natural repellents

If you want to keep ants out of your dishwasher, there are a few natural repellents you can use. For example, vinegar is a natural ant repellent that can be used to keep ants away from your dishwasher.

You can also use lemon juice or essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil to repel ants. Simply mix these natural repellents with water and spray the solution around your dishwasher and other areas where ants may be coming into your home.

Remember, ants are attracted to water, so make sure to keep your dishwasher and its surroundings dry. If you do find ants in your dishwasher, there are steps you can take to get rid of them.

For example, you can run the dishwasher with hot water and vinegar to kill the ants. You can also pour boiling water down the drain to kill any ants that may be hiding in the dishwasher drain.

Following these tips can help prevent ants from entering your dishwasher and keep your kitchen clean and pest-free.

Rosa Peterson

Rose is the writer and creator of Better That Home, a blog about home design and decor. Rose has been designing spaces for over 10 years and writing home design and decor for big publishers. She has been inspired by many other creatives from around the world and loves to share those inspirations with her readers. Read more about Rose here