from ENTOMOLOGY at the University of Kentucky: If you see trails of ants in a kitchen, they are usually members of a colony that exists close to your home. In most cases, these ants are simply searching your home for something to eat. Sometimes, their presence can be reduced by removing spilled food and unsealed food containers. It is also a good idea to throw out any packages of food that have been infested by ants. Oftentimes, these trailing ants will disappear after a few weeks without any treatment. Ants foraging inside homes can sometimes be a persistent nuisance, though , and may require treatment. In most cases, over-the-counter ant baits can be effective. If those methods do not work, consult a professional pest control service. They will attempt to locate and destroy the colony at its source. For more information about ants and ant management, see: http://ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef619.asp ( from the page, go to Insect & Pest Control, Article 619)