Ants can be quite natural invaders that create chaos if left unanticipated. A home invasion of ants is normally hard to handle; however, there are some effective ways that actually work in trying to eliminate them from one's house.
You may start with vinegar solutions that will deter their ability to follow the path, or you can use ant-repellent plants. Continue reading for everything you need to know about how to get rid of the ants.
One of the effective ways of removing ants involves the use of vinegar solutions. All you need to do is mix equal quantities of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it to areas where ants are normally found.
Vinegar is a strong-smelling liquid that messes with ants' scent trails, which basically make their movements around very difficult. Its regular usage keeps them away from your place and prevents them from returning.
Maybe you tried essential oils for some home remedies against cold and cough, but they are actually cool when it comes to getting rid of ants. Some of these oils, which include tea tree, eucalyptus, and lavender, can work nicely in their natural forms as a repellent against ants.
In a spray bottle, mix several drops of the essential oil with water and spray at points of entry, and around areas of activity. Or dip cotton balls in the essential oil and set them down wherever your problem areas are. Repeat regularly to ensure the effectiveness of this remedy.
You never expected herbs to be on this list. Some herbs like mint, basil, and lavender, keep the ants at bay. These plants beautify our garden and indoors as well as provide a sweet aroma.
By planting these herbs in your yard and around paths and points of entrance into your house, you are able to ward off the ants while leaving a sweet aroma in the air.
Some other benefits of these herbs are that they can add flavor to many dishes, which also will be beneficial while preparing various dishes.
If you do not want ants inside your home, then follow these steps. At first, you will need to look over your home for any gaps and other entry points. By inspecting, you can seal them with weatherstripping.
Doing this will significantly reduce the chances of an ant infestation. Do not forget to check regularly and maintain your home’s exterior which will ensure that new entry points do not develop.
You can create natural ant baits using a mixture of salt, bay leaves, and sugar. While salt is a natural substance, it can be harmful to ants if ingested in large quantities and it is one of the best methods to get rid of ants in lawn.
Mix equal parts of the elements and place them in small containers near ant trails. The sugar attracts the ants, and the borax disrupts their digestive system, ultimately leading them away from your home.
To your surprise, pets like cats or dogs can help reduce ant problems. Pets disrupt ant trails and can deter ants from entering your home.
Additionally, pets can help maintain cleanliness by reducing food crumbs and waste that attract ants. Regularly cleaning up after your pets will further enhance this method's effectiveness.
Pouring boiling water directly into ant nests is a quick and effective way to kill ants. First, identify the main entry points of the nest and pour boiling water into them.
This method can be repeated as necessary to ensure all ants are eradicated. While this method provides immediate results, it may not reach deep-seated nests, so use it with caution to avoid harming plants or soil.
Coffee grounds repel ants by releasing compounds such as caffeine and diterpenes. Although these chemicals do not sound harmful to humans, they are extremely fatal to ants.
When applied around ant colonies or points of entry, it affects their nervous system upon contact.
Also, the rough texture of the grounds acts like a physical barricade for the ants. Over time, the grounds degrade into the soil, making this eco-friendly, and beneficial for the plants too.
Drawing chalk lines or sprinkling baby powder around entry points and along ant trails can deter them. It is due to the calcium carbonate in chalk, which disrupts their scent trails.
You have to apply chalk liberally in areas where ants are active. Reapply as needed, especially after cleaning or rain. This method is safe for use around pets and children and is a simple, non-toxic way to control ants.
Diatomaceous earth is an industrially available powder used in water purification and fertilization of plants. The application involves sprinkling it along the perimeter of your house, the trails followed by the ants, or the points of entry.
Once the ants cross the powder, within an instant, it dehydrates and kills them. This material can be very effective in killing these insects without posing any threat to children or pets.
Placing cucumber peels around entry points and in areas where ants are active can repel ants. Ants dislike the bitter compounds found in cucumbers, especially the peels.
Use fresh cucumber peels and replace them regularly to maintain effectiveness. This method is natural and safe for use around pets and children.
A good recipe for homemade ant killer is that of a mixture of boric acid and sugar water. Mix boric acid in water and sugar to make a solution, then set this around the house in shallow containers where ants are trailing.
The sugar will attract them, and the boric acid will poison them and take it right to their colony. This technique should be done carefully to avoid exposure to pets and children.
Soap and water help get rid of the ants by disrupting the protecting outer layer of their bodies, leading to dehydration and subsequently their death.
It also disintegrates the trails of their pheromones so that no more ants will follow their path. Simple dish soap and water solutions can be directly sprayed upon ants or applied to entry points and trails to kill them safely, non-toxically, and easily.
The citric acid in lemon juice deters ants because it upsets the pH balance on surfaces and creates an unsavory environment for these insects.
It will also burn their exoskeletons upon contact, hence it is good for repelling or killing them without resorting to harmful chemicals. In addition, fresh lemon is far nicer to smell than most other remedies.
Cleaning your residence, and removing food particles is another major solution for ant control. Clean up the countertops, floors, and other areas to eliminate the food residuals that may be encouraging these ants.
Also, store the foods in tightly sealed containers so that ants cannot access food. In addition, the waste disposal bins are to be kept tightly closed and should be cleared regularly.
Homemade borax and sugar mixture are excellent ant bait for attracting and deterring them. Mix equal quantities of borax and sugar to prepare the bait adding a little water to make it sticky.
Set small quantities of the mixture on pieces of cardboard or in shallow containers near the trails of the ants. The sugar attracts the ants while borax is poison they convey back into their colony.
Cloves repel ants through eugenol, a chemical with a pungent smell that is highly irritating to insects. Unlike a few other repellents, upon contact cloves destroy their trails and exhibit an insecticidal effect on the nervous system of the ants.
Whole cloves or some clove oil put near entry points become sort of a barrier for ants, which they don't like to cross. Thus, this makes it effective and efficient for a longer period.
Peppermint oil is a nightmare for pests and rodents. It is strong enough to become a natural deterrent to ants. To create a solution, mix a couple of drops of peppermint oil in water in a spray bottle and then apply where the ants are most active.
For an alternative approach, you can take cotton balls, soak them with the oil, and then place them around the places of infestation. Just reapply whenever necessary to maintain effectiveness.
Cayenne and black pepper work to remove ants simply by disrupting their ability to follow scent trails.
Ants rely on pheromones for navigation, while the strong smell of such peppers masks those chemical signals, confusing the ants and preventing their ability to locate food sources or return to their colony.
Ants also generally avoid places where the spicy or irritating nature of the pepper is present making both of these solutions effective.
Cinnamon is one spice that can be found in every American home. The strong fragrance and essential oils will make cinnamon natural ant deterrent. To get rid of them, sprinkle ground cinnamon around entry points, ant trails, and areas where the ants are active.
You can also use cinnamon oil mixed with water as a spray, applied where needed. Reapply regularly, especially after cleaning or rain. This is non-toxic and, therefore, safe to use near pets or children.
