The small black and red colored insects are quite commonly seen in the garden. But what if they come into your home? Well, that is a problem as their infestation can cause contamination of our food, general discomfort, and be a nuisance.
To eradicate this situation, it is a must to get rid of the ants. So let's explore the ways to get rid of ants for a pest-free home.
The first natural thing that ants hate is peppermint oil. The robust and minty scent interferes with the ants' ability to navigate. To create a natural ant deterrent spray, dilute ten drops of pure peppermint oil in 200 ml of water.
Put this mixture in a spray bottle and apply it to the areas where you frequently see the ants. As the ants come into the sprayed area, the strong scent overwhelms their sense of smell and destroys their pheromone trails.
Sometimes, essential oils require extra strength. You can mix lemon juice with water and oil. This combination is perfect for breaking down their colony. To create the perfect mix, combine fresh lemon juice with an equal amount of water in a container.
Shake the mixture thoroughly and then spray it at the entry points. The lemon scent makes the kitchen environment feel fresh. To maintain its effectiveness, reapply daily for the best results.
Yet another kitchen ingredient is black pepper. But there is something different about it: It can irritate the ants' senses and cause them to scatter.
You can dust them in the area around the ants. For the maximum result, reapply on a regular basis. These can be natural and non-toxic solutions to the ant's infestation.
The sour piece of garlic is a great culinary delight. But for ants, they are their biggest enemy, especially the peeled garlic cloves. You just place them in areas like countertops, entry points, and pantries.
Their strong aroma can act as a barrier to control their population. Besides, if they consume the parts of garlic, it can be toxic for the ants. Remember to replace garlic on a regular basis for effective results.
After eating an orange, you might not want to throw the peel away. Orange peels are effective for getting rid of ants thanks to their strong citrus scent. The distinct aroma of these citrus fruits to knock down the ants' ability to find food sources.
Place the fresh orange peels in areas where ants are present, and they will create a barrier that ants are reluctant to cross. On the other hand, the acidic nature of citrus fruits can destroy the ants' chemical communication.
Let's get a bit creative with ways to get rid of ants. A mix of borax and sugar can create an effective ant bait. Blend 3/4 teaspoon of borax and 1/4 teaspoon of sugar in a bowl.
The sugar attracts the ants, and borax is a slow poison that disrupts their digestive system. Place this mixture in areas where you notice ants. Remember to keep it far away from children and pets, as borax is poisonous.
The best part is that as the ants eat the bait, they return to the nest and gradually destroy the whole colony over time.
Apart from borax, there are other slow poisons. Cornstarch is one that is hard for ants to digest. Slightly sprinkle it in the areas where ants are present, and as they eat it, they eventually die.
Unlike borax, cornstarch is safe for pets and kids, making it a family-friendly option. At the same time, if you combine it with sugar or peanut butter, ants are even more likely to eat it.
Slightly less effective than cornstarch is cornmeal. Ants also cannot digest these, as they can cause internal blockage.
Besides, these can attract ants with the help of additional sugar and jaggery. It is one of the simple, accessible, and safe solutions to get rid of ants in your kitchen.
White vinegar is an effective natural solution for getting rid of ants and destroying their communication. To use it, first mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
The diluted solution, when sprayed, uses the strong acetic acid in vinegar to destroy the ants' trails. In addition to that, the smell of vinegar is unappealing to ants and discourages them from entering your home.
For optimal results, reapply the vinegar solution regularly to maintain its effectiveness.
Sometimes, natural ingredients may not always be practical. It might be time to take the help of natural ant repellent that keeps the ants at the edge of your kitchen. To use this, you can draw a chalk line in the doorways and windowsills.
These chalks contain calcium carbonate and other substances that are enemies of ants. Besides, it acts as a barrier to prevent ants from entering your kitchen.
At the same time, you should maintain the effectiveness, as the lines can be smudged or washed away.
The fastest and most urgent measure to get rid of ants from a heavy kitchen infestation is to pour boiling water on the spot. Boil the water and pour it over the anthill to immerse the water deep into the colony.
The extreme heat can penetrate the ants' bodies and destroy half of their colony's population. The best part is that this natural method kills insects at a very fast rate, and you don't need to repeat the process many times.
Meanwhile, this method is best for large colonies and should be used with care to prevent damage.
Apart from the other means, there is a simple and effective way to get rid of the ants in your kitchen. You mix a part of dish soap and two parts of water in a container to unlock the powerful ant control remedy.
When sprayed directly, they work their best to suffocate the ants. The soap knocks down the ants' respiratory system and causes them to die quickly.
In addition, the mixture also breaks down the protective waxy coating on the ants' exoskeletons. Beyond just killing the ants on contact, the soap and water mixture can also be used to clean and remove the scent trails that ants leave behind.
A surprising way to get rid of ants is to use baby powder. You sprinkle the baby powder on the ants and their nests; it takes down their ability to follow scent trails. The powder absorbs the aura, making it difficult for them to find their way back.
Furthermore, this can prevent the ants from continuing their path to your home. The fine powder also acts as a strong barrier that ants find hard to cross. The method is relatively easy and a simple part to keep them at bay.
One of the known natural repellents to keep every insect away from your home or indoor garden is diatomaceous earth. The powder comes from the fossils of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms.
When ants come in contact with it, the powder absorbs the fats from their bodies and causes them to die. A thin layer of powder can create a line that ants will avoid crossing. But remember to reapply it in high-traffic areas for effectiveness.
To increase the effect of the diatomaceous powder, you should mix in boric acid. It is the best way to control ants invading your kitchen. Blend equal parts of boric acid and diatomaceous earth, then spread the powder around the home.
The boric acid is the poison for the digestive system of the ants, and the diatomaceous earth dehydrates the ants. As ants ingest these, they are led to fatal consequences. Also, in future infestations, it is an effective way to prevent them.
Baking soda may not just be for baking purposes. It can also be an effective way to kick ants out of your home. Sprinkle this powder in their nests and colonies to hinder their way back into your home.
As ants come into contact with the baking soda, it has a physical effect. The powder affects their digestive system and also disrupts their scent trails. This combination of actions makes baking soda a natural weapon for ant control.
Sometimes, Vaseline in your room can work like a charm in an ant infestation. A layer of thin Vaseline around the entry point is one of the best methods to get rid of the ants. Besides, these will not kill them. But more likely, it will create a situation where they will cross the line.
The effectiveness of this method is not guaranteed and depends differently on different species of ants. On the other hand, vaseline can contain chemicals that reduce its effectiveness over time. Certain ant species easily cross the vaseline altogether.
You can follow a simple method to keep them away: close the openings that welcome them with open arms. Sealant and chalk can be used to close these seals and openings.
On the other hand, using caulk can block these entry points through which ants can gain access.
Unlike other methods, you should use the best and simplest way: cleaning your space and keeping it fresh. Well, ants have hateful behavior toward a clean environment.
Besides, you should also keep the pantries and countertops cleaner, close food sources, and try to reduce the use of sugary syrup as much as possible. The clean countertops and sealed food resources are the easy way to keep the pests away.
For the final resort, you might want to go for those chemical insecticides, more like the insecticidal spray labeled for ant control. When applying the insecticide, aim for the entrance of the ant nest.
The approach helps ensure that the product reaches the heart of the colony. It’s best to apply the insecticide during more excellent parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening, when ants are most active.
In addition to treating nests, you can also spray around the perimeter of your home to create a barrier that prevents ants from entering.
Well, ants are found in different species and characteristics. Each one of them has their behaviour and describes their way. Some of the common types of ants that you may come across are:
Ants can be more than just pests in the kitchen. They can have a significant effect on our lives. Some ways to get rid of ants can be helpful.
But in the long run, they can have a heavy infestation if you don't follow the above ways. So it is better to prevent them and keep them from your kitchen.
When it comes to the kitchen, ants are majorly attracted to food and its sources. So, the first thing you should remember is to keep them sealed to prevent ants from accessing them.
The practice should go beyond using airtight containers in the pantry. Properly store both used and leftover food, and seal away even the smaller sources.
Besides that, you should clean the food storage area and check regularly if the containers need resealing, as they may have been accidentally left open or show signs of wear that could give ants an opportunity to invade.
Reduce the water resources as it is the best way to manage the infestation. The ants are strongly attracted to moisture. Start by looking for any leaks in pipes throughout your home and the constant sources of water. Do your best to fix and then prevent the luring effect of ants in your living space.
In addition, try to dry the wet surfaces in the kitchen. Wipe down countertops and floors regularly and leave no moisture behind. Also, try your best not to leave water in the bowl for pets overnight, as it becomes an accessible water source for ants.
One of the best ways to prevent ants is to regularly look for them. Routine checking alerts you to signs of ant activity. Check common areas like the dining room and pantry and look for their trails.
Moreover, the windows or any gaps in the home should be examined. If you find a significant number of ants, try to trace them back to their nest. These kinds of signs should take immediate action and do not try to ignore them.
Take time to clean and then take out the trash regularly. Leaving trash behind can invite not only ants but many pests to thrive in your kitchen. Keep the garbage clean and empty it on a regular basis. Remove any food scraps as soon as possible.
Tight-fitting cans should be used to prevent ants from getting in. In addition, trash bags should be used that are strong and less likely to tear, as this will help contain any spills or leaks that could provide an opportunity for ants to access food waste.
Even after using the recent measures or DIY methods, unfortunately, there is a heavy infestation of ants in your home. So, it is time to get the help of professional pest control.
But why professionals, you might ask? Well, the training and expertise in the field of pest control, as well as their ability to address future infestations, is the best solution to get rid of any pests.
When you contact a pest control service, be prepared to discuss the following:
A professional will conduct a thorough inspection of your property to identify the type of ants, their nesting sites, and the extent of the infestation.
Based on their assessment, the pest control expert will recommend a treatment plan. This may include:
