Ants can be a real nuisance in homes and gardens, but there are some effective home remedies that can help you get rid of them. A common home remedy to kill ants is sprinkling a line of salt across the paths they take. Salt can dehydrate the ants and kill them soon after they come into contact with it. Sprinkling a line of talcum powder or chalk also work to kill ants since they can clog the spiracles, or air holes, in an ant’s body, suffocating it.
Another effective home remedy is to mix a solution of boric acid, sugar and water. The ants are attracted to the sugar, which is a clever way to direct them to the poison since they’ll bring it back to the colony, resulting in a lethal chain reaction. A tablespoon of boric acid and a tablespoon of sugar, followed by 1½ cups of water, will create enough solution to kill a colony of ants. Remember to keep the mixture away from children and pets.
Essential oils, with their strong aromas, can help you to get rid of ants and other insects around the house. You can create a spray by combining 5-10 drops of the essential oil, such as peppermint oil, with 1 cup of water and spraying it around the doorways, countertops and other areas where ants typically pass. Be sure to replace the spray every few days to keep the odor strong enough to repel the ants.
What’s more, bay leaves can also be used to repel ants. Place them in the kitchen cupboards, near garbage cans and around windowsills – anywhere you’ve noticed ants going in and out. The scent of the leaves, while calming and pleasant to us, is unpleasant to the ants, who will stay away from the area as long as the scent remains strong.
These home remedies can help you get rid of ants without the use of harmful chemicals, making them a good alternative to store-bought ant killers. Plus, with a little bit of effort and the right ingredients, you can follow these home remedies to prevent ants from returning.
Extensive Cleaning Sessions
When it comes to ant prevention, it pays to put in a little effort. Take time to clean your home thoroughly from time to time, ensuring that crumbs and food spills are wiped away or vacuumed. Ants and other pests are often searching for food, so it pays to keep your home clean. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service to work their magic in those hard to reach spaces, such as inside cabinets, behind the fridge and anywhere else where food debris can accumulate.
It’s also important to block any entrance points that ants may find to get into the house. Use caulk around the doors, windows and pipes, and keep an eye on any potential cracks in the walls. Any point of entry must be sealed up as soon as possible. All these little steps will help to make your home a less hospitable place for these uninvited guests.
Natural Insect Repellents
If you’re looking for a natural way to repel ants, you may want to try some natural insect repellents. Citronella oil, for example, has a strong scent that works as an effective natural insect repellent. Another option is to buy ant repellent in the form of traps, which you can use to catch ants and also prevent them from entering your home. These are just some of the many natural, pet-friendly insect repellents available.
Natural ant baits are also a great solution. You can find them in many products and they usually come in the form of granules or pellets that you can place around the perimeters of your home. The ants will be attracted to the bait and will eventually bring it back to the colony, thus eliminating the entire colony.
In some cases, special barriers such as ant repellent powder may be necessary. These powders contain natural ingredients such as baking soda or diatomaceous earth, which create a barrier that the ants cannot cross. As such, make sure to invest in some ant powder if you’re having a hard time dealing with ant infestations.
Insecticidal Soaps
Insecticidal soaps can also be effective in removing ants. These products work by disrupting the exoskeleton of the ants, which in turn kills them. However, since these soaps tend to contain active ingredients, you must use them carefully to avoid potential injuries. Just spray the insecticidal soap on the ants, wait for a few minutes and use a damp cloth to wipe away the remains.
Removing ants can be a tedious task, but these home remedies can help you get rid of them quickly and effectively. Don’t forget to also check for ant nests, as these can be tricky to spot! Good luck in your battle against the pests.
Use of Diatomaceous Earth
Another thing to consider when dealing with ants is diatomaceous earth. This is a type of sedimentary rock made from the fossilized remains of single-celled algae, and it is highly effective in killing insects. It works by dehydrating the ant’s exoskeleton and cutting through the protective layers, and it’s also very safe to use around pets and children.
To use it, simply sprinkle a generous amount around the perimeter of your home, focus mainly on the areas where you suspect that the ants are entering, and leave it there. The diatomaceous earth will do its job, and you don’t need to worry about applying more than necessary.
Again, it’s best to be careful with diatomaceous earth. If it gets into your eyes, nose, throat or lungs, it can cause harmful effects, so get a mask and gloves if you plan to use it.
Traps and Other Prevention Methods
Apart from the home remedies above, you can also set up traps to catch the ants and prevent them from entering your home. The simplest way is to set up a jar filled with one part sugar and one part water. The ants are attracted to the bait and will enter the jar, but will not be able to get out due to the lack of air. To ensure maximum effectiveness, make sure to change the solution regularly to keep the scent attractive.
You can also use oil traps. Place some oil around the edges of your home and the ants will get caught in the trap and die. Finally, there are also special ant traps available on the market. These contain a potent chemical that can kill ants on contact, and they are designed to attract the ants with a special bait.
These traps can be effective in killing a colony of ants and can help prevent future infestations. However, you should be mindful of their use: if used incorrectly, they can harm pets and humans, so read the instructions careful before using them.
Conclusion
While ants can be a real nuisance, there are some effective home remedies that can help you get rid of them. Salt, talcum powder and chalk are all effective ant killers, as is boric acid mixed with sugar and water. Essential oils and bay leaves can be used to repel ants, while extensive cleaning sessions and natural insect repellents can help to prevent ants from entering your home. Additionally, diatomaceous earth and ant traps are also effective for killing ants and preventing them from spreading.
It is important to remember that, while these home remedies can help, they may not always be enough. If you’re unable to get rid of ants using these methods, it’s best to call a professional pest control service to deal with the problem once and for all.
