Ants(As other insects and wermin) only come in when in search of food. Food that is uncovered, forgotten under a hidden spot, and crumbs, and spillage calls their attention greatly.. . In my kitchen, I keep it real clean, I wash all my dishes after dinner, and I mop the floor with Pine-Sol or equivilant at least 4 times a week.I go over the stove, the table and the kitchen counters with disenfectant.. . I throw my garbage away everyday, and I "pre-treat" certain areas with RAID ant and roach killer-I do this as a safety measure at least 2 times a year- I spray every wall SKIRTING (The skirting only-where the wall and the floor meet). . Let's see...well I don't have any pets (So I don't have to worry about cleaning up after them) And make sure the little ones are not to eat anywhere but in the kitchen.. . The secret is keeping things neat and tidy and clean,because they only come when you have mess, clutter and food crumbs allover the place.. . Something my mother told me as well, that when it rains, ants will move in with you in order to get away from it, and be on higher ground.But, so far, with my methods, even when it does rain, they stay away.. . Now, I have had ant problems before, particularly last year, when I was um, putting other things in priority instead of doing everything I have mentioned above, and to be honest with you I have been ant free for over a year now. I noticed that when I didn't pay attention to things like a crumb here and there in the kitchen, and where my husband would make his coffee on the kitchen counter, and spill a few grains of sugar, the ants would come as fast as you finished saying "supercalifragilisticespialidoshes". No kidding! But I keep on top of my kitchen since then, and no more ants.. . I hope this helps, it's my own personal experience with ants, and what I have learned.