I had the same problem and I took the advice I got from someone here and used the Petroliem Jelly. Stuff is awesome. Those ants have left a scent trail for other ants now, I would recommend if the business will let you and that is put a out a little tiny ant bait poison feeder for ants. They are about the size of a half dollar or so and they will take the poison back to the queen and other ants. The location I had was bad, it was actually in my own office where I am employed so I got a lot of grief over it. The ants had been around before the candy machine, but once it arrived it was dinner time. The Vaso. be sure you put an equal band inside the tube as well if you have the tri vends like I have. I missed it the first time around and they got back in from inside the tube up. I went back within a week to all locations and put a 2 in wide band at the top of the pole, on both the inside and outside. It has been 10 months now and not one bug have I found in my machines. I have some eeeehhhh locations where bugs are hanging around the store but they hate that Jelly. Good thing is no pestacides around the candy. Now if someone could go read my post and help me with my capsule problem I would really appreciate it a lot. Thanks.

Thanks a bunch this sounds safer than my fix of wiping the pole down with bug spray. This won't put off that awful smell either nor possibly contaminate the food product. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. Thanks a bunch.

Ahhh, Its that time of year again! This is a simple fix Track. Simply smear a liberal amount of petroleum jelly around the top of the pole where the stand meets your machine. Those pesky critters won't cross the Vaseline and those who try will never make it. I have a jar in my service bag and make sure I apply it this time of year. Also make sure the machine itself is not in contact with anything around it, like a wall or curtian, or the ants will find that bridge.

You can also use a strong double sided tape as well. This will trap the ants before they can get across.