How to Get Rid of Ants in Dishwasher (In 4 SIMPLE Steps)

Originally Created on: September 13, 2022 @ 3:54 pm

There is nothing more frustrating than seeing ants crawling all over your dishes after completing the cleaning cycle. So, how can you get rid of ants inside a dishwasher?

The last place you would expect to see ants is inside a machine used to clean your dishes. You would assume that hot water inside the dishwasher would scare them away. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case. Ants are stubborn home invaders that can survive even in extreme conditions including inside your dishwasher.

So, have you realized that ants have invaded your dishwasher and wondering how to get rid of them? If yes, then you are in the right place. In this article, we will give you proven tips on how to get rid of ants in the dishwasher.

Let’s get straight into it!

How to Get Rid of Ants in Dishwasher

If you want to get rid of ants in your dishwasher, start by identifying ant’s entry points and seal them. Add vinegar or boric acid then run an empty dishwasher for one cycle. Finally, install baits around the kitchen to trap any nearby colonies.

Step by step process how hot to get rid of ants in a dishwasher

Step 1: Seal all leaks

The first important thing you need to do if ants have infested your dishwasher is to identify all the leaks that ants are using to get inside your dishwasher and seal them. This is a very important step because if you don’t seal all leaks, then ants will invade again even after you have eliminated them. Sealing all leaks will ensure that ants don’t invade your dishwasher again.

Step 2: Pour vinegar on the dishwasher drain

Once you have sealed all leaks that ants use to gain entry into your dishwasher, the next step is to pour vinegar or boric accede into the drain. Vinegar is a natural pest deterrent. It will cover the smell of food thus ensuring that ants are not attracted to your dishwasher. Pour at least one cup of vinegar down your dishwasher drain after the clean cycle to deter ants from coming in.

Step 3: Run your dishwasher on an empty cycle

Another crucial thing to do to get rid of all ants in your dishwasher is running it on an empty cycle. Once you have poured vinegar into the drain, run an empty cycle to get rid of any ants left inside. This process will also help to get rid of any food leftovers that may attract ants.

Step 4: Install ant baits

The final step is to install ant baits to trap any ant colonies in your kitchen. Although ant baits work slowly compared to other techniques mentioned above, their end results are usually very effective. Your ant baits should consist of two things: the right poison and food that ants like the most. Ant baits will get rid of all ant colonies in your kitchen.

It is important to note that ants are choosy about the type of baits they are attracted to. So, before you purchase bait, make sure you know the ant species that you are dealing with and the type of bait they like.

You May Also Like: Can You Put Oven Racks in the Dishwasher (The Ultimate TRUTH!)

Why are Ants in My Dishwasher?

The dishwasher may seem like the last place for ants to seek refuge. With all that hot water around, it may seem impossible that ants can survive in such a harsh environment. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case. Ants are incredibly resilient and can survive in areas with extreme conditions that other pests cannot. 

The reason why ants have invaded your dishes is that they are attracted to food and water Once the cleaning cycle is complete, there are always some food and water left inside the machine or on the dishes. Ants also invade the dishwasher to get warmth, especially during the cold winter season.

The most effective way of getting rid of ants in your kitchen is by sealing all cracks and holes that ants use to gain access to your kitchen. Once all leaks are sealed, use ant baits to trap and kill all colonies still lingering in your kitchen.

Also Read: Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining (KNOW How To BEST Fix DIY)

How Do I Permanently Get Rid of Ants in my Kitchen?

If you have seen ants crawling in your kitchen in broad daylight, there are probably a thousand more hidden somewhere. You need to take action immediately before things get out of hand and cost you a lot of money to get rid of them.

If you want to get rid of ants in your kitchen permanent, then there are some things that you must do. The first important thing you must do is find and eliminate their food sources. The reason why ants have invaded your kitchen is because of food and water. Ants are mostly attracted to sweet and starchy things like sugar and honey. Ensure that you get rid of all their food sources in your kitchen.

Another very important thing you need to get rid of ants in your kitchen permanently is to block all their entry points. While it can be a bit tricky to seal all their entry points, try as much as possible to seal cracks, holes, and crevices in your kitchen that they may use to gain access to your kitchen.

The final thing to do to get rid of ants in your kitchen is to use a suitable deterrent such as boric acid, pepper, chalk, or salt.

Also Read: Can a Dishwasher Catch Fire + 3 USEFUL Tips

Final Thoughts

If ants have invaded your dishwasher and you are wondering what to do, then we hope that this article has been informative. Ants are resilient pests that can survive in areas where other pests cannot. So, you should not be surprised if you see them crawling into your dishwasher.

Fortunately, getting rid of ants in your dishwasher is not difficult as many people think. You only need to follow the simple steps given above. But to ensure that ants don’t invade your dishwasher again, you need to seal all their entry points and get rid of foods and water that attract them to your kitchen.