Ants Around Grocery and Delivery Packaging: How to Break the Chain

Online groceries, delivery parcels and shop bags bring food into the home, and sometimes a few extra passengers. Ants are attracted to the sugar, oil and food residues on packets, and packaging can carry them, or form a trail that leads into your kitchen.

This guide explains how to break the chain.

The short answer

Ants may be present on grocery and delivery packaging from warehouses, shops and vehicles, may be drawn to sticky or sweet residues on packets, and can follow a trail from the delivery spot into the home. To break the chain, inspect deliveries at the door, unpack outside the kitchen, wipe sticky packets, transfer dry foods into sealed containers, remove cartons and bags promptly, keep the delivery spot clean, and place packaging away from food areas. If ants are already trailing, locate the source and use bait rather than only wiping.

How ants ride along

• Packaging is stored in warehouses, shops and vehicles where ants live.
• Sticky, sweet or oily residues on packets attract them.
• Ants can hide in folds of cartons and cardboard.
• They follow scent trails from packaging into the kitchen.

At the door

1. Receive deliveries at the door or in a utility area, rather than directly on the kitchen counter.
2. Look for ants on bags, boxes and packets.
3. If you find ants, tap them off outdoors or wipe them away.

Unpacking

• Remove outer cartons and bags before bringing items into the kitchen.
• Wipe sticky, sweet or oily packets, such as sauces, syrups and drinks, with a damp cloth.
• Transfer sugar, jaggery, flour, grains, biscuits and snacks into sealed containers.
• Store fruit and vegetables in covered baskets or the refrigerator.

Dispose of packaging

• Take cartons, bags and wrappers out promptly. Do not leave them in a corner of the kitchen.
• Rinse recyclable containers before storing them.
• Keep the recycling bin lidded and away from the kitchen door.

Keep the delivery spot clean

• Wipe the area where bags are placed.
• Do not leave bags on the floor for long.
• Use a tray or hard surface instead of fabric or carpet.

If ants already trail

1. Follow the trail to the source and the entry point.
2. Use ant gel bait on the trail, away from food and out of reach of children and pets.
3. Avoid spraying heavily where bait is placed.
4. Clean the area after the ants stop.
5. Seal gaps afterwards.

For households with pets

Keep pet food in sealed containers, and do not leave bowls out. Wipe the floor around them.

When to call a professional

If ants keep appearing after careful handling of deliveries, there may be a nest or a trail source near the home. A professional can find it.

Frequently asked questions

Do ants hitch rides on boxes?

They can, and cardboard folds hide them.

Should I wash grocery packets?

Wipe sticky ones. Washing everything is not always needed.

Does a sealed container stop ants?

Yes, if it is tight and clean on the outside.

Why ants only after deliveries?

Packaging may carry them or sticky residue may attract them.

This guide is part of IPest's complete resource on ant control. For identification help, prevention and treatment options, see our full ant control guide for Bangalore.