How to Keep Springtime Ants Out of Your Apartment in Eugene, Oregon

Eugene Locals. UO Alumni. Student Housing Made Simple.

At Mallard Properties, we’ve been helping UO students and young working professionals find off-campus housing near the University of Oregon campus since 1993. We’re proud to offer quiet, townhouse-style units, transparent pricing, and responsive local management.

Check out our available rentals page for current pricing, availability, photos, video walkthrough tours, and more. There are NO application fees, and our friendly office staff makes the entire leasing process smooth and easy.

Why Ants Show Up in Apartments

Ants are usually looking for:

• Food
• Water
• Crumbs
• Sticky surfaces
• Trash

Even small messes can attract them.

And in busy college rentals, it’s easy for dishes, trash, or food containers to pile up during midterms or finals week.

The Best Way to Prevent Ants

Keep Dirty Dishes From Sitting Out

One of the fastest ways to attract ants: a sink full of dishes.

Try to:

• Rinse dishes quickly
• Load dishwasher regularly
• Avoid leaving food overnight

Take Out Trash Frequently

Overflowing garbage cans attract pests fast.

Especially:

• Food waste
• Soda cans
• Delivery containers

Taking trash out regularly makes a huge difference.

Wipe Down Counters & Floors

Crumbs and sticky spills are basically ant invitations.

Focus on:

• Kitchen counters
• Dining tables
• Floors
• Around trash cans

Why Dishwashers Actually Help

Running your dishwasher regularly:

• Removes food smells
• Prevents food buildup
• Keeps dirty dishes out of the sink

Plus, your dishes usually come out cleaner when the dishwasher isn’t overloaded.

Already Have Ants?

Don’t panic.

One product many people use successfully is liquid ant bait.

It attracts ants, which then carry the bait back to the colony.

NOTE: You may temporarily see MORE ants at first before they disappear. That’s normal. Just wait and let it do its thing. 

When It May Be Time for Pest Control

If ants continue despite cleaning and prevention efforts, professional treatment may be needed.

Keep in mind:

• Pest treatments often require major cleaning beforehand
• Residents may be financially responsible if poor housekeeping caused the issue
• Always check with management before hiring vendors or pest control companies

Apartment Cleaning Habits That Help Most

Ant problems are common in Eugene apartments — especially as the temperature warms up. 

But small habits can make more of a difference than expensive sprays.

• Clean counters regularly
• Don’t leave food out overnight
• Empty trash often
• Sweep floors weekly
• Clean up spills quickly

Staying proactive can usually prevent small issues from becoming major infestations.

UO Off-Campus Housing Designed for Real Student Life

Whether you’re an undergraduate, grad student, intern, or young professional, Mallard Properties offers truly walkable rentals just blocks from the UO campus. Our townhouse-style units offer privacy, quiet, and the comfort of a residential home feel. 

Check out our available rentals for up-to-date availability, pricing, photos, and video walkthrough tours.

You can also check out our Rental Process Overview and FAQs pages for more detailed answers to questions about leasing, maintenance, and more.