Household Ways To Get Rid Of Ants
September 15, 2023 - Ants
There are several effective methods to get rid of ants using common household items and supplies. Here are some recommendations:
Vinegar: Vinegar is a potent ant repellent due to its strong odor. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray it along ant trails, entry points, and around the affected areas. This disrupts their scent trails and discourages them from returning.
Baking Soda and Powdered Sugar: Create a bait by mixing equal parts of baking soda and powdered sugar. The sugar attracts the ants while the baking soda disrupts their digestive system when ingested. Place this mixture in areas where you've seen ant activity. They will carry it back to their colony, eventually leading to its demise.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE): DE is a natural, abrasive substance that is safe for humans and pets but deadly for ants. Sprinkle food-grade DE along ant trails and entry points. When ants come into contact with it, it damages their exoskeleton, leading to dehydration and death.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a natural ant repellent. Sprinkle ground cinnamon or place cinnamon sticks near entry points and known ant paths. The strong scent disrupts their communication and deters them from entering your home.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice has a strong citrus scent that ants dislike. Squeeze fresh lemon juice near entry points and wipe down surfaces with lemon-infused water. This not only repels ants but also leaves your home smelling fresh.
Mint Leaves or Peppermint Oil: Ants are repelled by the scent of mint. Plant mint around the perimeter of your home or place mint leaves or cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil near entry points. Refresh these regularly to maintain the scent.
Soap and Water: Mix a few drops of dish soap with water in a spray bottle. Spray this solution directly onto ants when you see them. The soap disrupts their waxy outer layer, causing them to suffocate and die.
Boiling Water: For outdoor ant nests, carefully pour boiling water directly into the nest entrance. This will kill many ants and disrupt the colony. Exercise caution when doing this to avoid burns.
Seal Entry Points: The most effective long-term strategy is to prevent ants from entering your home. Seal cracks, gaps, and openings around windows, doors, and pipes with caulk or weather stripping.
Keep Food Secure: Ants are attracted to food sources. Store food in airtight containers, clean up crumbs and spills promptly, and regularly empty your trash cans.
Cucumber Peels: Ants have an aversion to cucumber. Place cucumber peels or slices near ant entry points or known trails to deter them from entering your home.
Coffee Grounds: Used coffee grounds not only act as a natural repellent but also disrupt ant scent trails. Sprinkle them around the areas where you've spotted ants.
Bay Leaves: Bay leaves contain compounds that ants find unpleasant. Place whole bay leaves near entry points, windows, and doorways to keep ants at bay.
Chalk: Draw a line with chalk at entry points or along ant trails. Ants won't cross the chalk line as it interferes with their chemical communication.
Essential Oils: Aside from peppermint oil, other essential oils like tea tree oil, lavender oil, or eucalyptus oil can also deter ants. Mix a few drops with water and spray it around the problem areas.
Cornmeal: While not harmful to humans or pets, ants can't digest cornmeal. Sprinkle it near ant mounds or trails. They will consume it, but it will ultimately lead to their demise.
Honey and Borax Bait: Create a bait by mixing honey and borax in a 1:3 ratio. Place small amounts of this mixture in shallow dishes near ant activity. The ants will be attracted to the honey and take the borax back to their colony, where it will poison them.
Hot Water and Dish Soap: For a non-toxic solution, mix hot water with dish soap and pour it into ant nests or mounds. This effectively kills the ants and disrupts the colony.
Herbs and Spices: Certain herbs and spices, such as cloves, cayenne pepper, and black pepper, can deter ants. Sprinkle these around ant-prone areas to create a barrier.
Vaseline or Petroleum Jelly: Apply a thin layer of Vaseline or petroleum jelly on surfaces where ants enter your home. This creates a barrier that ants can't cross.
Cayenne Pepper Spray: Mix a teaspoon of cayenne pepper with a cup of water and spray it directly onto ants and their trails. This will deter them and disrupt their movements.
Freeze Infested Items: If ants have infested food items like sweets or baked goods, place them in the freezer for a few hours. This will kill the ants and preserve your food.
Ultrasonic Pest Repellers: While not a household item in the traditional sense, ultrasonic pest repellers emit high-frequency sound waves that can deter ants and other pests from entering your home.
Homemade Ant Traps: Create simple traps using small containers filled with a sugar-water solution or honey. Place these near ant trails, and the ants will be lured into the trap, eventually drowning.
Professional Pest Control: If the infestation is severe or persistent, consider contacting a professional pest control service. Our team of experts can assess the situation and apply specialized treatments to eliminate the ant colony.
When using these methods, it's important to be persistent and patient, as it may take time to fully eliminate the ant colony. Additionally, keep your living spaces clean and well-maintained to reduce attractants and prevent future ant infestations. Remember that patience is key when dealing with ants. It may take some time to completely eradicate them, as you need to target both the visible worker ants and their hidden nests. Additionally, different ant species may respond differently to these methods, so you may need to experiment to find the most effective solution for your specific ant problem.
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