Ants come in herds, and once you find a few, you are likely to experience a colony making a home out of yours. Unfortunately, it's very common to get an ant infestation in your home. Fortunately, there are simple steps to avoid and get rid of them.
Here are 5 ways to eliminate ants in your home:
Eliminate Damp Areas And Rotted Wood
Carpenter ants, unlike termites, burrow their way through wood that can been damaged by water. Check areas such as a deck, where damp wood can culminate. Other areas in which they can show up are basements, showers, and windows.
Set Up Ant Baits
Photo by: The New York Times
Ant baits are an affordable, effective way to get rid of them. They come in small, covered pods that attract them and contain poison. Once the ants consume the poison, they then come back to their colony and infect the rest of the group. Place baits in high traffic areas to prevent them from moving in further. Make sure they are located away from pets and children.
Keep Your Kitchen Clean
Most ant infestations are found in the kitchen, therefore it is crucial to clean up this area. Ants have a sweet tooth, they feed on sugar and protein. They will gravitate towards sugary liquids. Clean up any spills, crumbs, or leftover food.
Create A Home Remedy
There are various at-home concoctions you can create as insecticides.
- Diatomaceous Earth - sprinkle this powder to kill ants from the inside out.
- Detergents - mix detergent with water and scrub the surface.
- Pepper - sprinkle pepper around baseboards and behind appliances.
- Essential Oils - oils such as lemon, neem, eucalyptus, and lemon grass will deter them from entering. Mix with water and sprinkle around entry spots.
- White Vinegar - create a 50/50 mix of vinegar with water and wipe up the ant population.
- Baking Soda - place a 50/50 mix of baking soda and water into a shallow bowl of water.
- Chalk - draw a thick line of white chalk around areas you want to protect to deter them.
- Salt - mix epsom salt with water and spray into high traffic areas.
- Cornstarch - sprinkle cornstarch on the ants to kill them directly.
- Boric Acid - create a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon of boric acid, 8 teaspoons of sugar, and 1 cup of warm water. Soak the mixture in cotton balls and leave them in high traffic areas.
Make The Outdoors Appealing
Ants can be enticed to come inside in search of new sources of nutrients. In order to keep them away from entering, create an environment outside that they would rather be in. Spraying outdoor plants for aphids will eliminate their food source, and potentially encourage them to find something indoors.
With these tips, you ca successful eliminate ants in and around your home.
For more advice on pest control and to receive exclusive promotions, subscribe to our newsletter!
