Before we get into the remedies of how to get rid of ants in your house, we should go through some potential causes for the infestation in the first place. Ants are probably the most common insect found in houses, it is also found on every continent except Antarctica. With a species of over 20,000, it can become difficult to identify the exact species type.
Ants feed on mostly the same food as humans, i.e. sugars, starch and some types of meat, which makes it an active member of everyday food in our houses. Wildlife control services in Westwood MA focus on all the precautionary measures when it comes to ants because once a colony is established, it can get very tactful to eliminate it.
Ants use pheromone trails for navigation and communication, this is also how they locate food. In almost all of the precautionary measures taken for stopping an ant infestation is the cutting off of these trails with different household liquids and powders.
According to professional wildlife control companies, the following are some of the very basic household remedies that can be used to get rid of an ant problem.
Lemon Juice
It does not kill ants instantly but acts as a mere repellant. Getting freshly squeezed lemon juice in a spray bottle to spray over all the possible entry and exit points will interfere with pheromone trails left by ants - this makes the ants forget where they have to go.
Water And Soap
Boiling water and soap make a gruesome mixture together that not only drowns the ants it is poured on but burns them as well. You are required to pour it directly over the colony to completely eliminate all the ants. You may as well have to repeat the process several times.
Diatomaceous Earth
DE is the literal fossil of Diatoms, algae-like organism. Their skeletons are mined from river and seabed. While completely harmless to humans, it is highly toxic to insects. Its sharp edges make it stick in the insect’s joints and tear it apart with movement or dehydrate it.
Peppermint
Peppermint acts as the repellent in the same way as the lime juice. Many insects including ants hate the smell of peppermint; spraying it over windowsills, countertops, and entry and exit points to your house will redirect the ants elsewhere. Peppermint has the properties of absorbing the pheromone chemicals and wiping them away.
Vinegar
Vinegar has the properties of a powerful insect repellent. Repellants are the best options for vacating the ants without killing them. Vinegar’s safe and natural properties allow you to use it throughout the house - the smell will be the only drawback but it is worth the infestation.
Chalk
Ants hate walking in this powdery substance which makes it the best preventative agent for ants. You only need to draw a line along with the doors, windowsills and entry points of the ants and see a noticeable difference in ant traffic.
Cinnamon
Everyone likes cinnamon, which is one of the most readily used remedies. Simply take up ground cinnamon or cinnamon oil and apply it around the entry and exit point, windowsills and doorframes to keep the ants out.
Borax And Sugar
A mixture of borax, sugar, and water is of little toxicity to humans and mammals - but to ants, it messes up their digestive system. It is not an instant killer and allows the ants take it back to the colony, which will eventually all die within a week.
Baking Soda
Mixing baking soda with powdered sugar is another easy way to instantly kill ants. Sugar attracts the ants to the bowl and soda acts as a toxin to their digestive systems. You can place the bowl in the route of the ants or near the colony.
Coffee Grounds
These act as more of an insect repellent than the previously mentioned killers. Ants don’t like the smell of freshly ground coffee and will walk right past it. It is the most suitable for the people who want ants to continue their business outside and leave you in peace.
Written by Helen Marshall
About the Author
Helen Marshall is a professional wildlife expert who has spent most his time studying or dealing with ants, he shares with us some common household remedies to tackle an ants problem.
You may also like
Natural Solutions to Get Rid of Bugs in Your Home [Infographic]
Tips on How to Pest-Proof Your Home