How to Naturally Get Rid of Ants in House
Ants can be incredibly annoying and intrusive creatures, often entering people’s houses in search of food and water, and then refusing to leave. While some people may consider them little more than a nuisance, their presence can quickly becomes exasperating, especially if they’re also getting into foodstuffs and spoiling it. Fortunately however, there are some natural approaches that can help you remove them from your home without the use of any harsh chemical pesticides.
The most effective way to start is by identifying what type of ant you’re dealing with. Ants exist in a variety of species, many of which also have different behaviors. Some, like Carpenter ants and Fire ants, are poisonous and, while they pose no real danger, they should be removed as soon as possible. Others, like pavement or field ants, are simply annoying, so understanding which type of ant you’re dealing with is important to deciding how best to remove them.
Once you’ve identified the type of ant, you’ll need to determine where they’re entering your house. This can be done by making use of a soapy water mixture, which is applied with cotton wool, as ants tend to leave a scent trail for others to follow. Be sure to apply it around the base of your doors, windows, and any other small cracks, as this is often how they gain access.
Once you’ve identified the entry points, consider some natural solutions that don’t include the use of chemical sprays. A simple solution of equal parts cider vinegar, dish detergent, and water, spread along the ants’ entry points, will easily dissolve the scent trails and should do the trick. And if you’re still noticing an influx of insects, don’t forget to target the nests themselves. Simply sprinkle some ground cinnamon near the nest and this should deter the ants as they do not like its scent.
Keep in mind, however, that ants thrive in a clean environment, so make sure to pay close attention to your sanitation habits. Vacuum regularly and fill any cracks you find with a sealant. Be sure to keep all food in secure containers and discard any spoiled food, as the scent could be attracting the ants in the first place. It’s also important to keep all windows and doors closed as much as possible, to ensure that any potential ant invaders don’t get in.
For areas like patios and balconies, sprinkling some chili powder around the perimeter should act as a deterrent as well. This is due to the spicy scent emanating from the powder, which should effectively keep the ants away. As an added bonus, chili powder will also demonstrate a similar effect on fleas and other insects, which can help keep your home pest-free all-year round.
Finally, attracting some friendly birds to the area can also be a useful way to get rid of ants. Birds, like swifts and swallows, rely on insects like ants to eat, so providing them with a safe water source, as well as some feed, can help naturally remove the problem in a safe and trusted way.
Home Remedies for Ants
Aside from the external measures mentioned above for keeping ants away, there are also several home remedies you can make use of to deal with an ant infestation. A simple solution of one part sugar and one part baking soda, sprinkled around the ant-infested area, can help mask their trail and deter them from entering. Alternatively, you can also make use of talcum powder, which has a similar effect.
You could also try a mix of 5 parts water, 3 parts vinegar and 2 parts dishwashing liquid, applied with a spray bottle, to keep ants off the surfaces in your house. Ants don’t like the smell of vinegar, so this should keep them away without causing any lasting damage. Additionally, lemon juice can also be used to mask the scent trails that ants leave, like those mentioned above. This is also handy for outdoor spaces, such as patios and balconies.
Finally, it’s also worth remembering that you should take some direct action against the nests themselves. After all, no matter what you do, if you leave the nest in place, the ants will simply re-emerge some time later. Therefore, it’s important to locate the nest and carefully get rid of it.
While some people may be tempted to use boiling water, this isn’t necessarily a good idea, as this could potentially cause damage that could further lead to a bigger infestation. Rather opt for a natural alternative like boiling a pot of tea and pouring it over the nest. This is a more effective solution and less intrusive approach, and it should resolve the problem once and for all.
Housekeeping Tips to Avoid Ants
Keeping your house clean is a big part of preventing ants from entering in the first place. Clean up any spilled food, vacuum regularly and pay close attention to areas of your home that are prone to moisture, as ants are attracted to moisture. This means keeping the kitchen and bathroom free from standing and pooling water, and if you’re living in humid climates, making sure the air is well-ventilated.
Keep in mind too, that sugar and syrup, as well as other sweet foods, are particularly inviting to ants, so paying extra attention to cleaning these up, without fail, can go a long way in reducing your risk of an ant infestation.
Additionally, some research indicates that ants may also be repelled by strong smells such as peppermint and eucalyptus, so if you own a diffuser, you can play around to see if using the right oils can help to keep ants away.
Eliminate Ants Without Harsh Chemicals
Gone are the days where you have to rely on potentially dangerous chemicals to get rid of ants. Now you can deal with them in a natural and non-harmful way, from simply masking their scent trails to luring friendly birds to your home.
But just as with many other home pests, you should always aim to prevent, rather than cure. Make sure to close up any potential entry points and keep your house as clean and tidy as possible — from making sure containers are sealed, to vacuuming regularly and wiping down surfaces with vinegar.
You can always resort to some of the home remedies mentioned above should you find yourself dealing with an ant infestation. But by taking a proactive approach and following the tips we’ve provided, you’ll be able to get rid of them without any fuss or danger to you or your loved ones.
Identify and Target Ant Nests
No matter which natural approach you take to getting rid of ants, you should always target their nests first and foremost. Not only will this help reduce the chances of the problem re-emerging but it’ll also prevent infestations in other parts of the house.
Be sure to locate the nest, and try to find out what kind of ant it is so you can target your approach more precisely. This may require some direct action, such as sprinkling some spices like cinnamon or chili powder, or pouring over some hot tea. While boiling water may seem like the easiest option, it’s best to avoid it has it could cause further damage that could lead to an even bigger problem.
By doing this, you’ll not only be able to effectively get rid of the nest and stop further infestations in your home, but you’ll also avoid having to resort to any potentially hazardous chemicals.
Keep Your Patio and Balcony Ant Free
Another area of the house to pay attention to if you want to avoid ant infestations is your outdoor area. The patio and balcony in particular often open up to the outdoors, making them more susceptible to ant infestations.
As with the interior of your house, sprinkle chili powder in the cracks around the base of your patio, as ants don’t like the spicy scent. It’ll act as a natural deterrent to their presence. You could also try some eucalyptus oil, as this too can drive them away without the use of chemicals.
Keeping your patio and balcony clean and dry, with no pools of water or food left lying around, can also go a long way in keeping ants away. Fill up any small cracks with sealant and make sure to sweep away any dirt particles as often as you can. Setting up a bird feeder in the area can also be a useful way to get rid of them, as, as mentioned above, birds rely on insects for sustenance.
Create a Natural Barrier
Creating a natural barrier against ant infestations is one of the most effective ways to deter them from entering your house in the first place. Sprinkle some cayenne pepper or cinnamon in your garden, particularly around the entry points, as this should help keep them away — and as an added bonus, it can also help to keep away other animals, too.
You can also plant some mint or lavender around the entrance to your home, as the strong odors should act as a natural deterrent, and help to keep the ants away. Consider using some eucalyptus, which can also be quite effective, but be aware that you may not be able to stand the smell, and it may be too pungent for other plants in the area.
Mixing boric acid with sugar and water and sprinkling it near the entry points of your home can also create a powerful trap for ants. Make sure to just mix a small amount and keep it away from small children, pets, and any food sources, as boric acid can be toxic if ingested.
You could also use some catnip and spread it around the perimeter of your home, as studies have shown that this too can act as a natural repellent to ants. You could consider setting up some ant traps too, which are humane and safe, and have the added benefit of allowing you to assess which type of ant you’re dealing with.
