Although ants are vital to specific ecosystems and the environments, they can be a bother especially when they invade your house. Therefore, be prepared to deal with potential infestation of ants every time. The best option would be to use a natural ant repellent. It will be safe to the environment and at the same time, solve your problems.
Before you start seeing unwanted guests in your home causing a lot of harm, it is better you start looking for home remedy for ants. If you give them just a little chance, they will climb the walls, infest the kitchen and generally ruin your property and everything in it. Ants can easily get into your home through holes, cracks or crevices. Hence, it’s crucial to fix such openings immediately you notice their presence. Make it a habit to always check the doors and windows for any activity of ants. Plus, avoid leaving foodstuffs on the counter, their good smell will invite the ants.
How to get rid of ants
Getting ants popping up around your home every now and then is not a very pleasant thing to say the least. It could be because you are living in an old house and maybe there are lots of small holes. But even at that, you deserve to enjoy living in your house without dealing with those little creatures. If you are not ready to use insecticides, you can take advantage of homemade ant killers. They are so many and you just need to know how to apply them for effective results.
Unfortunately, no matter how clean you keep your home and perfect everything, the ants will still somehow find a way to visit your home. Getting rid of ants in your property can be a difficult process. It is even harder if you don’t know how to kill ants naturally. So frustrating, right? You don’t have to worry though. There are so many wonderful ways you can use to get rid of ants in your home. Below are some home remedies for ants you can use to chase away these unwanted guests.
1. Lemon juice
In addition to all the benefits you have heard about this fruit, it can still do more. Lemons are one of the best home remedies to get rid of ants in your home. Use them to keep your kitchen ant proof. Remember your kitchen has to be clean all the time. Otherwise, how would it feel to fix your favorite cup of coffee while surrounded by a whole bunch of ants? It must be terrible. Well, all these nightmares can come to an end if you use lemons. They are more powerful than you can imagine. If you opt to use this form of treatment, squeeze some lemon juice on the areas you notice the presence of ants such as door thresholds, windowsills, cracks and any other hole. Again, slice the lemon peel into small pieces and scatter them on the entry ways. The ants will know that they are not invited there and find their exit as soon as possible.
Lemon juice will destroy the scent that the ants tends to follow when giving you that unwanted visit. Alternatively, mix 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts of plain water. You can use the solution as all-purpose spray. Spray it around the perimeter of your property, the entryways and any other area you see the need to spray.
2. Black pepper/cayenne pepper
Ants dislike both the black and cayenne pepper. You just need to locate where the ants are coming from and then sprinkle some black or cayenne pepper around that place. Alternatively, mix some pepper with water and spray the mixture at that area. Where possible, create a blockage to stop the ants from invading your property. The pepper won’t kill the ants but it will deter them from coming back to ruin your home.
3. Mint
If you want a natural way to get rid of ants, use peppermint. It is a natural ant repellent. The best option would be to plant mint around your property. Plant it around the perimeter of your property and around the entryways. The plant will make your home smell fresh and at the same time chase those uninvited guests. However, if you are not in a position plant mint for whatever reason, then use peppermint essential oil, it will chase the ants from the compound since they despise the smell. Just use the peppermint essential oil to wipe the suspected areas. Another option would be to put a peppermint oil cotton ball in hidden areas the ants like to visit.
4. Ground cinnamon
Another great option of killing ants in your home is the use of cinnamon. It will kill them all because when they inhales it, they suffocates and dies. Sprinkle ground cinnamon on the pants’ path. If there is an anthill opening, sprinkle cinnamon there as well. If you are not into the idea of killing them, use cinnamon essential oil to repel the ants. Since they hate that smell, they will go in the opposite direction when they notice the smell of ground cinnamon in your compound. Get some water and mix it with a few drops of cinnamon oil. Spray the mixture around the doors, windows, cracks and the ants’ trails.
5. Food-grade diatomaceous earth
Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton and it is a fantastic ant repellant. Sprinkle a very thin layer of DE under the cabinets, around and inside the garbage cans, beneath the fridge and any other place invaded by ants. Do this every day until you see no live ant.
6. Vinegar
Vinegar solution is another best way to get rid of ants in your home. Just mix an equal amount of vinegar and water. Put the solution in a spray bottle. There are two options of using this kind of solution. One, spray it directly on the ants. It will kill them. Then use a damp paper towel to wipe up the ants and discard them. This solution can also be used as a deterrent. In such a case, generously spray it on the doorways, windowsills and any other opening that ants use to invade your home.
7. Powdered sugar and baking soda
Baking soda or powdered sugar will get rid of those ants which have refused to leave your home. To achieve this, mix both the powdered sugar and baking soda in a container. Sprinkle the mixture at the areas invaded by the ants. The role of the powdered sugar is to attract ants and since they cannot differentiate form the baking powder, they will feast on the mixture. When the ants consume the baking powder, it reacts with the acid inside their digestive system. This makes it impossible for them to expel the gas. Hence, killing them.
This method is also effective on the outside areas such as the garden or lawn. If these areas are also infested with ants, sprinkle the mixture. Do so until their population size significantly reduce. It is important to keep checking so that you deal with the problem before it gets out of hands.
8. Chalk
A lot of people struggle with the problem of ants in their homes simply because they don’t know how to get rid of ants naturally. Using of chalk is one of such ways and it is a very simple method. Draw a line using the chalk at all entry points. The calcium carbonate in the chalk will repel the ants. Alternatively, crush the chalk and sprinkle the powder around the garden plants. It will repel the ants to get out of your compound.
9. Oranges
To get rid of ants in your garden, along the house foundation and the patio, use orange peels and some warm water. Mix the two ingredients in a blender and blend them to make a smooth puree. Pour that solution over the anthills. The little pests will begin to pack and leave your premises sooner than you thought.
10. Flour
You don’t need any form of dangerous pesticide to get rid of ants in your property. In fact, the flour you use to cook your meals can still offer an effective solution. Hence, just sprinkle some flour on any place you notice the ants using to come to your house especially along the backs of pantry selves. The flour will repel the ants and they cannot dare cross the line.
11. Salt
If you have seen ants beating a specific path to your house, don’t allow them to continue. Sprinkle salt along that path and the across the door frame. Since they won’t be able to cross the salt barrier, they will just go back to where they were coming from.
12. Lemons
In addition to all the benefits you have heard about this fruit, it can still do more. Lemons are one of the best home remedies to get rid of ants in your home. Use them to keep your kitchen ant proof. Remember your kitchen has to be clean all the time. How would it feel to fix your favorite cup of coffee while surrounded by a whole bunch of ants? It must be terrible. Well, all these nightmares can come to an end if you use lemons. They more powerful that you can imagine. If you opt to use this form of treatment, squeeze some lemon juice on the areas you notice the presence of ants such as door thresholds, windowsills, cracks and any other hole. Again, slice the lemon peel into small pieces and scatter them on the entry ways. The ants will know that they are not invited there and find they exit as soon as possible.
13. Herbs and spices
Herbs and spices are best known as cooking essentials since they help transform any common dish into a delicious meal. However, you are also use them to get rid of ants. Put them in the hidden areas like cabinets. They will discourage the ants from prolonging their stay.
14. Talcum powder
Talcum powder is an effective organic ant repellant. For effective results, generously scatter the powder on the known points where the ants use to access your home. The most common places you shouldn’t leave untouched are the windows and the doors. Do that often enough to make sure the ants don’t get an opportunity to get inside your home.
The bottom line
If you keep noticing ants’ presence in your property even after using the above ant killer options, it is now time to consult with your local pest exterminator. At times, there are certain factors that can only be solved by a professional. These are specialists who can help you identify the underlying problem and offer a permanent solution.
