Seal Up Any Cracks
Ants hunt for food and shelter in areas that are warm and full of crevices. To keep these pesky insects away, the first step is to inspect your home for any cracks and other openings. Seal them up to deny these intruders entry. Look closely around the windows, doors and the foundation of your house. Reseal any cracks with a caulk sealant and repair any broken window panes.
Keep Food and Garbage Away
Ants can often be attracted to any food or garbage that they find lying around. Make sure to store food in tightly sealed containers and place them away from the walls or other vulnerable areas. The same applies to all garbage cans and keep lids closed. Clean up any crumbs or other food debris from counters and dining areas.
Remove Moisture
Homes with a lot of moisture are more likely to face an ant infestation. Use a dehumidifier and fans to keep moisture levels low, especially in the month of peak activity and close off any damp and humid areas that can be invaded.
Pick Up Firewood
Firewood and mulch can serve as a spot for an ant colony, so pick up anything lying around your home, especially in areas where moisture is found. Make sure not to place anything like a flower pot or other container with plants too close to the walls of your home.
Vinegar and Peppermint Oil
Ants have sensitive antennas, so natural repellents such as vinegar and peppermint oil can be useful in deterring them from entering your home. Soak cotton balls in the vinegar and place them at the entrances of your home. Use peppermint oil on the windowsills of the windows and door frames, in the kitchen and other areas where ants can enter to make them turn away.
Manage and Get Rid of Greenery
Ants are nature’s scavengers and are particularly attracted to rotting food or greenery in the outdoors. If any type of mulch or rotting leaves or other debris has piled up around the outside of your home, be sure to manage or get rid of any of these items.
Call an Exterminator
If all of your efforts fail, you should contact a professional exterminator. They will know the right measures to take to eliminate the problem, as well as effectively control the problem by doing regular check-ups. Exterminators have access to the proper resources and knowledge that can guarantee eliminating the problem.
Keep Your Home Clear of Clutter
Having a lot of clutter and debris around your home can provide a suitable nesting ground for ants. It’s important to keep your living spaces organized and clean to prevent these tiny creatures from taking over your space. Keep everything organized and dust often with an all-purpose cleaner.
Prevent New Nests from Forming
Ants are usually attracted to sweet or sugary foods. Clean up all spills and use a food-debris cleaner to remove any stains not immediately removed by a vacuum. Store food in tightly sealed containers and keep garbage cans sealed tightly.
Harvest Ants Elsewhere
Ants need food, water, and shelter to survive. If you’re trying to keep them out of your home, remove the sources of their food and shelter in your garden or elsewhere far away from your home. Plant flowers that deter ants, such as marigolds or lavender, to further discourage them from entering.
Using Insecticides
If all else fails, you can also use ant poisons to get rid of ants. However, it’s important to use the right kind of insecticide and to follow the instructions carefully. Read the labels on the packages and apply only the recommended quantity of the product. There are also various types of ant traps that are safe to use.
Treating Ants with Essential Oils
Another way to keep ants away is to use essential oils to repel them. These oils have a strong natural scent that ants don’t like. Try adding a few drops of the oil to cotton balls and place these at the entry points of your home. Citronella, peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus essential oil are known to be effective against ants.
Clean Up Outdoors
Ants come from outside and if you want to keep them out of your home, make sure to keep your outdoors area clean and free from any possible sources of infestation. Sweep away any dried leaves, branches, grass and other organic matter that may attract ants.
Removing Ants’ Food Sources
Ants are mainly attracted to sweet or sugary foods and it’s important to keep any food items away from possible entry points. Keep your counters and dining areas clean by wiping them down regularly and make sure to store perishable items in sealed containers.
Chemical and Non-Chemical Repellents
If you prefer not to use chemical repellents, there are various non-chemical methods that can be used to deter ant infestations. Chalk sprinkled around the perimeter of your home can help to keep them away, as well as essential oils, such as tea tree, peppermint, citronella, lavender and eucalyptus.
General Home Maintenance
Simple home maintenance can go a long way in keeping ants away. Make sure to stay on top of leaky pipes and faucets, as moisture can attract ants. Check around the windows and doors for any cracks and patch them up. Keep firewood stored away from your house and clean up any debris in the vicinity.
Use Insecticide Residue
Insecticide residue can be used as a protective barrier against ants. This means spreading the residue around the outside of your home, and in areas where food is stored, where ants can gain access. If using an over-the-counter insecticide, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and only use the recommended dosages.
Eliminate Ants’ Access Points
Ants often enter your home through small cracks, crevices and openings. These entry points must be sealed off to stop the ants from getting in. Use steel wool to fill in any holes or crevices and use caulk to seal any cracks in the walls or foundation of your home.
Use Repellant Plants
There are certain plants that can help keep ants away from your home, such as marigolds, mint and lavender. Planting these around the perimeter of your house can help to deter these irritating pests. Additionally, ants avoid cedar wood, so consider using cedar chips around your home for further protection.
