How to actually get rid of ants?

To actually get rid of ants permanently you need to eliminate the entire colony including the queen, not just kill visible foragers, using an integrated pest management approach that combines sanitation, exclusion, and targeted baits. Start with thorough sanitation to remove food sources that attract odorous house ants and carpenter ants, store all food in sealed glass or metal containers, clean crumbs, grease, and spills daily from countertops, floors, and under appliances, wipe down surfaces with 50-50 white vinegar and water to erase pheromone trails, take out trash regularly, and clean pet food bowls. Second, exclusion by sealing entry points with caulk around windows and doors, installing door sweeps, and sealing gaps where pipes enter walls, because ants enter through cracks as small as 1/16 inch. Third, moisture control by fixing leaky pipes and drying damp areas because carpenter ants nest in damp wood and need water. Fourth and most important, use slow-acting gel baits containing fipronil, hydramethylnon, or borax such as Terro Liquid Ant Bait, Maxforce, or Optigard, placing small dots near ant trails but not directly on top of repellent sprays, allowing worker ants to eat bait and carry it back through food sharing called trophallaxis to feed queen and larvae, killing entire colony within days to two weeks. Do not use repellent sprays that cause budding where colonies split into satellite colonies. For outdoor mounds, treat directly with bait. Vacuum thoroughly to remove food residues. For severe or persistent infestations, hire professional quarterly pest control averaging $100 to $150 per quarter with commercial-grade baits and guarantees.