5 Natural and Safe Methods to Get Rid of Ants

Isn’t it annoying to find creepy crawlies in your home? These insects aren’t limited to spiders and lizards. There are also bugs that can get into your home without raising an alarm. Ants, for instance, can show up in any home. Even if only one or two ants make their way into your property, their numbers will eventually grow.

Ant problems are not always caused by poor sanitation. Ants are also attracted to your home because of the availability of food sources. Another reason could be the weather. Rainy weather can lead them indoors since they will be seeking shelter. When you see ants in your home, you might not think they are dangerous; however, ants in your home can still pose a serious health and hygiene risk.

Inspection: The First Step To Get Rid Of Ants

Inspection is an important step in getting rid of your ant problems at home. To find ant nests, you must follow the ant trails. Ants lay down pheromone or chemical trails along their established routes to and from a food source. This will allow other ants to easily follow the trail.

Inside your home, you have to inspect the doors, windows, kitchen, and carpet edges. Some ants are nocturnal, such as carpenter ants; thus, it is more effective to observe them at night. Outside your home, you must look into the foundation of the wall, mulch, and other vegetation. It is beneficial to follow the ant trail since this will lead you to their nest. Once you find their nest, treat it directly if possible. You can use bait or non-toxic insecticide around your house and on the ant trails.

Natural Ant Control Remedies

Herbs/Spices: Cinnamon sticks, garlic cloves, black pepper, and mint are some of the herbs and spices you can use. You can place cinnamon sticks or garlic where you see ants, such as at the doors, window tracks, or in corners around your home, or peel and slice garlic cloves and place them where you see ants. Another tip is to sprinkle black pepper along the back of your countertops or on your baseboards, and ants will immediately scatter. These herbs and spices work because they give off a strong scent that repels ants.

Vinegar: You can pour equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray on areas where you have seen ants. You can also spray the vinegar and water mixture on your countertops and cupboards. The fungicidal and insecticidal properties found in the vinegar are natural ant repellants. Ants also hate the smell of vinegar, and it removes the scent trails which they used to find food sources.

Citrus fruits: Use citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges to get rid of ants. First, you must squirt some lemon juice on your door thresholds and windows. You can also squeeze lemon juice into the entry pathways of ants, such as holes or cracks on your walls. Another tip is to scatter small slices of lemon peel around the outdoor entrance of your home, or make a smooth puree of orange peels in a cup of warm water. Slowly pour the mixture over and into the anthill to get rid of these insects.

Coffee grounds: You can consider using some used coffee grounds and sprinkle them in your garden or around the perimeter of your home. To make a caffeine spray, you must marinate the coffee grounds with water, and leave it overnight. Ants are repelled by the smell of the coffee grounds.

Talcum powder: This is an effective organic ant repellant. You can sprinkle talcum powder around the foundation of your home or at the known entry points, such as the windowsills and doors. In addition, you can also use borax powder, cream of tartar, and powdered sulfur.

Citations:

• tracywoolery. "TN ant 111710". November 17, 2010. Online Image. Flickr. Oct 16, 2012

Kris Lim is a blogger for home and garden websites. She also offers natural pest control ideas for professional pest control companies, such as Pest Control Rogers.

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