How To Get Rid Of Ants in Your Home
Ants may be small, but they can quickly become a nuisance when you find them in your home. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to help get rid of ants in your home.
1. Use Ant Baits
Using ant bait is an effective way to control ant infestations. Ant baits typically contain a slow-acting poison that the ants carry back to their nest and share with other members of the colony. This will eventually eliminate the entire colony, including any nests in your home or yard.
2. Make a Vinegar Solution
Ants don’t like strong smells, so mixing together equal parts vinegar and water creates an effective repulsive spray for them. Simply spray this mixture around entry points and on floors where the ants are present, and they should start to disappear shortly thereafter.
3. Create A Barrier With Flour
Place a line of flour or baby powder across entry points into your house, as ants won’t cross over this barrier due to its texture. As an added bonus, doing this will also let you track which entry points the ants are using so you can further attack and block up those sites more permanently later on if need be.
4. Use Boiling Water
Pour boiling water directly onto the ant holes in your home. This will immediately kill the ants and their eggs — plus, it’s a natural, non-toxic solution that won’t harm your family or pets.
5. Pepper
Ground black or red pepper can be used to repel ants. Sprinkle it in areas where the ants roam, like near doorways and windowsills. This will help create a barrier that will keep them out.
6. Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great way to repel ants naturally and effectively. You can make your own ant deterrent spray with essential oils such as peppermint, clove, lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil. Simply mix a few drops of essential oil of your choice in two cups of water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the solution in areas where you’ve seen ants, such as doorways and windowsills.
7. Borax
Borax (sodium tetraborate) is a natural ant killer that can be used to get rid of ants in your home. To make this solution, mix one cup of sugar, two teaspoons of Borax, and one cup of warm water. Soak some cotton balls in this mixture and place them near ant trails. The ants will be attracted to the sweet smell of the sugar, consume it, and take it back to their nest, where they’ll die.
8. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges, are known to be effective at repelling ants. Cut them into large slices and place them near ant-prone areas. The strong citrus smell will help to keep the ants at bay.
9. Boric acid
Boric acid is a white, powdery substance that’s toxic to ants. It works by dehydrating the ant and causing them to die of thirst. You can place boric acid in areas where ants congregate and make sure it’s inaccessible to children and pets.
10. Keep your entire house clean
Ants are attracted to food like sugar, honey, soda, maple syrup, and cornmeal. So one of the best ways to prevent them from entering your home is by keeping it clean. Sweeping and mopping floors regularly will help reduce ant activity in your home. In addition, clean up spills or messes as soon as you can. Wipe down countertops, tables, sinks, and other kitchen surfaces with a disinfectant cleaner. Don’t forget to clean behind appliances and in other hard-to-reach places.
11. Seal up cracks and holes in your home
Ants can enter your home through tiny cracks or holes. Inspect the outside of your house for any small openings, such as those where pipes enter the walls or under door frames. Use caulk or other seals to block off these entry points.
