Cleaning

• Wiping down surfaces with soap and water is effective at removing ant trails.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  The most important thing you can do to eliminate ant problems is to eliminate their food sources, according to W.S. Cranshaw. This means removing any food crumbs the ants may find in your cupboards, on the counters, on the floor or elsewhere in your home. Wash all counters and floors with household cleansers to eliminate any ant trails. Vacuum and sweep floors daily. Clean window sills and remove any dead insects you find -- another favorite food source for ants.
  
  

Securing

• Securing food and trash eliminates a secondary food source for ants. Store foods in closed containers and make sure to wash the outside of them regularly to eliminate any residue. Remove garbage from your home daily or secure it in a tightly-closed container.
  
  

Basic Maintenance

• You also need to eliminate any water sources that might attract the ants. Ants need water, according to University of Florida entomologists, and will travel some distance to get it. Fix any dripping faucets or leaking pipes in your home. Remove any rotted or decaying wood that is in or near your home since this is a favorite nesting site for ants. Make sure your window screens are secure and repair any holes.
  
  

Blocking

• Ants often use pipes as a pathway into the kitchen or bathroom.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Keeping ants out of your home means blocking any entrances. Caulk any cracks or crevices you find in your home's foundation, windows or doors. Look around wires and pipes -- two things ants commonly use to enter a home -- and make sure there are no gaps where they enter your home. Inside your home, you can block ants from locations using moats of soapy water. Placing a pet food dish inside a larger pan of soapy water keeps the dog food away from ants but is safe for your pets. Double-sided tape or a substance called Tanglefoot can also be used to create a barrier around plants.
  
  

Outdoor Control

• Plants and vegetation can be used as either a nesting site or as method for gaining entry into your home. Mulch is one of the most common nesting sites, according to Karen M. Vail, an associate professor of entomology at the University of Tennessee. Pull mulch so it is at least 12 to 18 inches away from the foundation of your home. Trim branches, vines and other vegetation so it does not come into contact with your home.