There are numerous methods to remove ants and their colonies within the residence. Whereas skilled exterminators could also be vital in some circumstances, some pure options can eradicate the issue with out including chemical compounds or toxins to your setting.
Listed below are a number of the greatest methods to kill and repel ants naturally utilizing substances discovered within the residence or at an area retailer.
Reading: Tea tree oil for ants
Table of Contents
1. Diatomaceous earth (silicon dioxide)
Diatomaceous earth is a kind of silica manufactured from fossilized stays of aquatic organisms known as diatoms (a kind of plankton).
Diatomaceous earth isn’t a poison. It kills ants and different bugs by absorbing the oils of their skeletons, which dries them out. However because it’s an irritant, keep away from inhaling diatomaceous earth or getting it in your pores and skin.
You should purchase food-grade diatomaceous earth on-line. To make use of it to kill ants, comply with bundle instructions, or sprinkle the powder anyplace you see ants.
2. Glass cleaner and liquid detergent
Ants go away a scented pheromone path behind after they stroll, which acts as a map. This methodology can take away the scent and deter the ants from reentering your property.
Right here is how one can do it:
- Combine glass cleansing spray with liquid detergent (dish cleaning soap) right into a clear spray bottle.
- Spray the combination on areas the place ants appear to enter from or congregate round.
- After spraying, wipe down the world leaving a light-weight residue.
- Repeat the above steps as typically as wanted.
Notice: For those who wouldn’t have glass cleaner accessible, utilizing soapy water of any form (i.e., hand cleaning soap, dish detergent) possible removes the scent of ant pheromones.
3. Floor black or pink pepper
Black or pink (cayenne) pepper is a pure ant deterrent, because the bugs seem to search out the scent irritating.
To make use of this methodology, sprinkle pepper round baseboards and behind home equipment. Anecdotal proof means that this can be a secure method to assist hold ants at bay.
4. Peppermint
Peppermint is a pure insect repellent that will successfully deter ants and different bugs, reminiscent of mosquitoes.
To make use of peppermint important oil as an ant deterrent, full the next steps:
- Combine 10 to twenty drops peppermint important oil with 2 cups water in a clear plastic spray bottle.
- Spray the combination across the baseboards and home windows of your property.
- Enable the combination to dry and repeat as wanted.
Like most important oils, hold peppermint oil out of attain of pets, particularly cats, which might change into very unwell if uncovered.
You could possibly discover peppermint important oil at your native grocery chain or well being meals retailer.
5. Tea tree oil
Like peppermint oil, tea tree oil could be an efficient ant deterrent. To make use of this methodology, full the next steps:
- Combine 5 to 10 drops tea tree important oil with 2 cups water in a clear plastic spray bottle.
- Spray the combination round the home the place you usually see ants. Alternatively, you’ll be able to saturate cotton balls with the combination and place them round your property.
Notice: If the scent is just too robust, attempt making a mix of tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and water.
Like most important oils, hold tea tree oil out of attain of pets.You should purchase tea tree oil at your native grocery retailer, well being meals retailer, or on-line.
6. Lemon eucalyptus oil
Oil extracted from the lemon eucalyptus tree is one other pure insect repellent. It comprises citronella, utilized in candles to repel mosquitoes and different flying bugs. Anecdotal proof signifies it might even be efficient at repelling ants.
To make use of, full the next steps:
- Saturate cotton balls with the undiluted lemon eucalyptus important oil.
- Place the cotton balls in areas the place you often see ants within the residence.
- Change the cotton balls weekly with freshly saturated cotton balls.
Notice: Don’t ingest lemon eucalyptus oil. Hold it out of attain of kids and pets.
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You possibly can possible discover lemon eucalyptus oil at your native well being meals retailer. It’s additionally accessible on-line.
7. Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
Regardless of their related names, the oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) is totally different from lemon eucalyptus important oil. OLE comes from the gum eucalyptus tree, which is native to Australia. It comprises a chemical known as p- Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), which is an efficient insect repellent.
PMD is classed as a biopesticide by the Environmental Safety Company (EPA) and is taken into account secure to make use of.
You’ll find OLE at your native {hardware} and gardening retailer or on-line.
8. White vinegar
White vinegar, accessible in any respect grocery shops, is an inexpensive and efficient approach to kill and repel ants. Additionally it is a pure cleansing agent.
Strive utilizing a 1-to-1 vinegar/water combination to wash onerous surfaces, together with flooring and counter tops, wherever ants are prone to journey. For those who see ants, spray the combination on them or wipe them up with a paper towel.
Ants can scent the vinegar after it dries, however the scent doesn’t stay lengthy for most individuals.
9. Boiling water
For those who discover ant holes close to your property, pour boiling water into them. This methodology will successfully and instantly kill lots of the ants inside. Anthills could seem small, however the ant colonies beneath them are huge.
The boiling water received’t be sufficient to kill off all the colony. For that reason, be certain to deal with each ant gap you see inside your property’s proximity.
10. Cornstarch
Cornstarch, accessible at grocery shops, could be an efficient approach to smother many ants at one time.
There are two other ways to make use of cornstarch to kill ants:
- The primary methodology is to liberally pour cornstarch over all the group of ants and add water on prime. The consequence will probably be many lifeless ants encased in cornstarch which you’ll then clear up.
- The second methodology is to cowl the ants with cornstarch after which vacuum them up, taking care to get rid of the sealed vacuum bag outdoor instantly.
11. Cinnamon leaf important oil
One 2005 examine discovered that compounds in cinnamon leaf important oil, together with trans-cinnamaldehyde, may very well be efficient at killing and repelling ants, together with biting pink ants.
- Saturate cotton balls with the undiluted cinnamon leaf important oil.
- Place the cotton balls in areas the place you usually see ants within the residence.
- Change the cotton balls weekly with freshly saturated cotton balls.
Well being meals shops typically carry cinnamon leaf important oil. It’s also possible to discover it on-line.
12. Neem oil
Neem oil is a naturally occurring insecticide extracted from the neem tree, native to India.
Gardeners suggest utilizing neem oil round vegetation, particularly the place you see aphids or ants. Ants farm aphids (small sap-sucking bugs), so poisoning the aphids with neem oil can deal with each kinds of pests.
Diluted neem and merchandise containing neem extract have been reported to not work practically in addition to full-strength neem oil.
You’ll find neem oil at many well being meals shops or on-line.
13. Espresso grounds
Brewed espresso grounds have been discovered to detract ants. Strive sprinkling the freshly brewed espresso grounds on disposable surfaces (reminiscent of index playing cards) and leaving them in areas the place ants congregate, reminiscent of pet bowls.
It’s also possible to place the grounds on windowsills. The grounds could lose their efficiency as soon as they’re dry, so be certain to alter typically.
14. Boric acid
Boric acid is a kind of poison that may kill sure kinds of employee ants and their queen inside 3 weeks of publicity, in accordance with an older 2003 animal examine. It does this by eroding the ant’s outer shells and stomachs.
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It’s very important to maintain boric acid away from pets and youngsters as it may be hazardous.
To make use of boric acid, comply with the steps beneath:
- Placed on security gloves.
- Make an answer of 1/2 teaspoon boric acid, 8 teaspoons sugar, and 1 cup heat water.
- Stir till the sugar and boric acid are dissolved.
- Saturate cotton balls and place them round your property in areas the place you often see ants.
- After use, wash containers totally or discard.
Notice: It’s also possible to use boric acid as an ingredient in do-it-yourself (DIY) ant traps. Combine the powder with one thing candy that can entice ants, reminiscent of maple syrup or corn syrup. Unfold on a flat, disposable floor, like cardboard, and place in areas the place you see ants.
Discover boric acid at your native {hardware} and gardening retailer or on-line.
15. Borax (sodium tetraborate)
Borax and boric acid usually are not the identical chemical compound regardless of their similar-sounding title. Each could also be equally as efficient at killing ants within the residence.
It’s crucial to maintain borax away from pets and youngsters as it might be dangerous.
To make use of borax, comply with these steps:
- Placed on security gloves.
- Make an answer of 1/2 teaspoon borax, 8 teaspoons sugar, and 1 cup heat water.
- Stir till the sugar and borax are dissolved.
- Saturate cotton balls and place them round your property in areas the place you generally see ants.
- After use, wash containers totally or discard.
Discover borax at your native {hardware} and gardening retailer or on-line.
16. Lemons
You possibly can spray or wipe lemon juice to detract ants by eradicating pheromone trails and masking the scent of meals.
As well as, placing lemon rinds in your cabinet can also detract ants from taking over residence in your kitchen.
17. Verify your houseplants
Verify your houseplants for swarms of ants, which could point out nests beneath the soil. Discard any vegetation that look like infested.
To cease ants from making properties in your vegetation, encompass the soil with citrus rinds from lemons or oranges.
18. Hold the outside outdoors
Hold your yard clear of particles. Reduce off any vines or vegetation that touches or leans onto the outside partitions of your own home and home windows that may make it simpler for ants to enter your property.
19. Reduce off sources of meals
Ants are interested in candy and starchy meals like sugar, honey, and cornmeal. Subsequently, the most effective methods to discourage ants is to make sure that no meals sources are available for them to eat.
Hold meals tightly sealed in containers or plastic baggage. Wash all plates and cooking utensils instantly after consuming.
Clear up crumbs from your property day by day utilizing a brush or vacuum. Locations that will accumulate crumbs embody:
- beneath and round standing home equipment in your kitchen
- in sofa cushions
- in rubbish pails
- areas of the house the place your loved ones eats or prepares meals
Pet meals also can entice ants. Take away pet bowls as quickly as your pet has completed consuming. Clear the bowls instantly to remove the scent of the meals.
20. Remove ant entrances
Determining how ants are getting into your property might help you remove an ant infestation and stop a future one.
Verify your property for cracks within the partitions and holes close to floorboards and radiators. You possibly can seal cracks or deal with them with ant repellent. Additionally, examine for rips in window screens that require mending.
How you can cease kitchen ants
The kitchen, providing proximity to an ample meals provide, is commonly the place that almost all typically attracts ants and different pests. To discourage ants from being within the kitchen:
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- Clear kitchen surfaces and flooring day by day.
- Wash dishes instantly after utilizing them.
- Rinse pet meals bowls after your canine or cat eats.
- Use pure repellents (see examples above) to detract ants and take away the pheromone scent.
- Retailer meals correctly in sealed containers or baggage that lock.
