How to use an anti-ant pad: which side goes up, can you cut it, can you wash it, and how long does it last?
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How to use an anti-ant pad effectively takes just 4 steps: rinse with plain water and let it dry, put the pad where the ants come up with the smooth side facing up, place items in the middle of the pad with 5 cm clear on every side, and wipe food crumbs off the pad every day.
But people ask a lot more than that — which side goes up, can you cut it, can you wash it, can you soak it, can it go outdoors, and how do you know when a pad has worn out. This article answers each one with pictures and lists the things not to do, which make the pad wear out faster than it should.
What should I do before using an anti-ant pad for the first time?
Rinse both sides of the pad with plain water, let it air-dry completely, then put it in place. Don't use alcohol, dish soap or disinfectant, as these can damage the coating. The first wash removes dust from manufacturing and shipping, and most makers of hard pads give the same advice.
Which side of the anti-ant pad goes up?
Put the smooth, glossy side facing up. Most pads are coated on both sides, but the side the maker intends you to use is the one with the pattern or logo. If your pad has no pattern, use the smoother, cleaner side. Place it on a dry, flat surface — not on a carpet or absorbent fabric, because moisture under the pad makes it deteriorate and smell musty.
How much space should I leave from the edge of the pad?
Leave at least 5 cm on every side. This is the single most important rule. Ants have to walk some distance across the pad surface before reaching your item for them to stop. If the bowl sits right at the edge, ants can climb from the floor onto the bowl without ever touching the pad. So on a 30x42 cm pad the usable area is 20x32 cm, and on a 24x32 cm pad it's 14x22 cm. Always measure your items before buying and add 5 cm on each side.
Can anti-ant pads be cut?
Yes, with scissors or a craft knife, because the coating covers the whole surface, not just the edges, so a cut piece works just like a full pad. The thing to watch is that after cutting you still need a 5 cm edge on the new piece — a piece that's too small leaves no room for your items. Also don't cut it so small that a cat or dog can carry it off to play with. After cutting, trim off sharp corners with scissors so they don't cut your hands.
Can anti-ant pads be washed or soaked in water?
You can rinse it with plain water, but don't soak it — wash it and wipe it dry straight away. Leaving the pad wet for a long time or soaking it in a sink is what manufacturers say makes the coating wear out faster. For everyday use, wiping it with a damp cloth followed by a dry one is enough; there's no need to take it to the sink every day.
How do you clean an anti-ant pad day to day?
Every morning, or each time you refill the food, lift the bowl, wipe food crumbs and spilled water off the pad with a damp cloth, then wipe it dry. For sticky sugary spills, use only warm water and a cloth. Food crumbs on the pad are the number one reason ants still come to the edge of the pad, so wiping it every day matters more than a big monthly wash.
How long do anti-ant pads last?
Makers of hard pads on the market state 1–2 years, and some state 2–3 years, depending on how they're used. KAI67 will state the figure for our own product once we receive the documents from the manufacturer. Three things shorten a pad's life: direct sunlight, heat from very hot pots or stoves left sitting on it, and built-up moisture. Used indoors and wiped dry every time, a pad usually lasts as long as stated.
How do I know when an anti-ant pad has worn out?
The only reliable sign is ants walking across the pad surface to reach the item in the middle, even though the pad is clean, the item is 5 cm from the edge, and there's no bridge for ants to use. If all 3 are true after many months of use, replace the pad. Faded colour or scratches are not a sign it has expired, as long as ants still aren't crossing. Read the detailed breakdown of causes at why ants still get in after you put down a pad
Can anti-ant pads be used outdoors, on a balcony or under a pet cage?
You can use it on a balcony or at the front of the house if it's out of the sun and rain, for example under a roof or eaves. It works well under hamster, bird or rabbit cages, because food bits from the cage attract ants all the time. Put the cage in the middle of the pad and wipe under the cage every day, just like with a food bowl. If the cage is larger than the pad's usable area, put 2 pads edge to edge with no gap between them. If a pad cannot go in that spot, see other options in how to keep ants away.
Unboxing video of a 30x42 cm anti-ant pad, showing the leaflet that states the pad size, the polypropylene material and the 5 cm edge gap (footage from a real user on Shopee)
Anti-ant pad FAQ: how to use them
Do anti-ant pads need to be used with water?
No. The pad works through its surface coating, not water. If you want results right away on day one, you can use a water tray alongside it for the first week and then remove it.
Can I put hot things on the pad?
A rice cooker or hot water flask with a warm base is fine, but don't leave a pot straight off a very hot stove sitting on it, because high heat can warp the pad and damage the surface.
Can an anti-ant pad go on a carpet?
Not recommended. Carpet holds moisture and ants can walk underneath it. Put the pad on a flat, dry tiled floor, wooden floor or table.
Can one pad hold both a water bowl and a food bowl?
Yes, with a 30x42 cm pad: 2 bowls up to 16 cm in diameter fit side by side and still leave a 5 cm edge. See details at 30x42 cm pad
How should I store an anti-ant pad when not in use?
Wipe it dry and keep it in its original sleeve, or lay it flat somewhere dry and out of the sun. Don't roll or fold it, as the hard sheet can snap and the surface can crack.