What do I use to seal gaps around a door?

HugoandHudsonsmum

Hi all so I have an issue with ants getting in through my front door I've seen a fair few now , I spray white vinegar near my front door with repels them for a few hours but once the smells gone there back so I want to try and fill all the holes near my front door to stop them getting in I've put a temporary filler there until I know what to buy properly to fill the gaps but there also coming in through the side gap in the door and where the door meets the silver bit at the bottom. 
What do I need to fill all the gaps both outside and around my door? 

grumpy_codger

That's how you seal gaps between the door and the door frame (the same between the door and the threshold). Depending on the size of the gap use either special soft rubber profile or soft foam strip.

And you have to get rid of the ants instead of keeping them away. Ant powder works much better. Keep spreading it everywhere where you see them, especially the nest if you find it. Also, there are ant baits that can kill the whole nest.

Heedtheadvice

For the gaps in the brickwork use cement mortar. You can get ready mixed( just add a small amount of water to make a thick paste) clean and then dampen the gap then apply with a small trowel. Smooth off when partially cured ( 2 hours for fast setting types and maybe at least six hours for normal types). If ir is a deep gap you may wish to do it in two stages, allow the first to set for a couple of days to form a 'base' and prevent pushing it in when smoothing off the second coat. That finishing should be done with a bit of force to give a flat surface.

Peppermint oil will not be crossed by ants so a complete 'circles around a gap will prevent access. Does not kill them ( see above for that) but being an oil will last several days. Try doing a circle around some ants and see them baffled!

HugoandHudsonsmum

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81944441#Comment_81944441

Which one should I go for? Some of the gaps are not too deep and I could properly be able to use the one in the second image but the one near the door is a bit deeper?

grumpy_codger

I'd use the first. The second one is too small and needs a special gun.

bjorn_toby_wilde

Home Defence Ant Stop bait stations are very effective in my experience, although the ants don’t always find them straight away. I’ve found squirting a bit of something sugary in through the holes in the station gets the ants attracted in the first place.

Make sure it’s the Home Defence version with fipronil because there are imitators these days with different active ingredients. The ants take the bait back to the nest and after about 1-2 weeks they’re gone. I haven’t found anything else that works as well.

Just one comment on your pictures. What is that last pic of the two sections of brick wall? I don’t really know what it’s showing but it looks like an intentional gap rather than something that needs filling with mortar.

Heedtheadvice

As per Grumpy go with the first one

Emmia

I use Nippon gel on a piece of tinfoil, the ants take it back to the nest killing the lot.

It's only difficulty is finding a spot on or close enough to the route they use, so they'll take it.

Also, because I literally use a piece of foil with a blob/smear of gel on top, it is available to pets and kids - so don't use my method if you're in this position.

This is the stuff I use

https://amzn.eu/d/02pNmKx3

bjorn_toby_wilde

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81945249#Comment_81945249

Good advice. That contains Spinosad which is very effective.

The things that work less well are fast acting insecticides like permethrin often found in ant powders. They kill the ants that touch them but spinosad and fipronil are slow acting. They take them back to the nest and it wipes out the lot.

Ants are fascinating creatures and I don’t mind them at all in my garden but the house is a no go!

HugoandHudsonsmum

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81945487#Comment_81945487

I don't mind them either provided they stay in the garden but when they start coming in absolutely not. I hate to kill them but I can't have them coming in my house.

I could leave it on tinfoil right near my front door outside however there are cats next door who sometimes sit near my door so can't do that so I look at other baits that are effective too.

To your other question here more photos of that gap as you can see half way up it is sealed but the rest has come away but I did find a lot of sand in there but no ants so not sure if the ants built something in there but I've removed all the sand

bjorn_toby_wilde

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81945820#Comment_81945820

I’ve covered bait with an old roof tile before now. The ants can get in but pets won’t bother. Something like an upturned saucer with a stone under one edge would do it.

That picture does seem to show where mortar has fallen out. If you’re going to fill it though I would pick a mortar with a matching colour rather than the grey one linked in an earlier post. Grey would really stick out if the rest of the mortar is reddish. The second one you linked does come in various colours but you would need a skeleton gun to squeeze it into the gap. It’s an extra expense but you may actually find it easier to use.

Hope that helps.