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Some species distribute themselves among several nests which makes them much harder to eradicate. If all else fails, insecticidal baits can be used to control ant numbers. But before you take that route, ask yourself whether the ants are actually a problem (more on that later). Prevent ants from entering your home in the first place by sealing up cracks and holes in walls. This will also prevent them from nesting inside wall cavities.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
Place a few drops of your chosen essential oil on some cotton balls. Then, stick them in problem areas where you usually spot ants. Some of these natural ant repellents only deter ants in another direction instead of killing them on contact. If you try several of these tactics and are still seeing ants, there are other measures you can take like spraying your home with pesticides or calling an exterminator. Ants can quickly invade a home and will continue to show up in large numbers if they find a food source.
Citrus
As these ants walk, they lay down scent trails that allow other ants to follow them to and from food sources. You may need to be patient and follow them back to baseboards, cabinets, doors, or other wooden structures. You may even need to follow them outside if they’ve nested in tree stumps or dead trees. Essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, citronella, lavender, or eucalyptus all have very strong scents and can act in much the same way that cinnamon does to disrupt pheromone trails.
Bring out the ant traps and poison
If you are looking for a natural way to kill ants and eliminate them from your household, this ant spray recipe is straightforward, cheap, and quick to make. Your home is your sanctuary, and any time it’s breached by unwanted guests it’s annoying. Insects and pests can quickly become a nuisance, and that’s why it’s important to be vigilant in getting rid of them as soon as you spot one.
‘Ants haven’t entered my home in three years since using this amazing spray just one time’ - Express
‘Ants haven’t entered my home in three years since using this amazing spray just one time’.
Posted: Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:09:00 GMT [source]
Keeping a Clean House
For example, sugar ants are prone to coming back, but there are ways to prevent ants from being attracted to your home. The same can’t be said of carpenter ants, which chew through rotten or damp wood, potentially damaging windows, doors, or even structural framing in the process. “The good news is that they’re really considered a nuisance pest,” she says. So while odorous house ants may show up on your kitchen counters or around the shower, they won’t transmit disease or cause any real damage to your home.
What’s the difference between termite damage and carpenter ant damage?
You can also tap on areas of suspected nests to listen for hollow sounds of damaged wood. However, even if you have an ant problem, you might not always see actual ants out and about. If this is the case, you may need to lure them out with some sweet bait, like diluted honey or sugar milk. In the spring, they may prefer protein sources like tuna packed in water. In most ant species, the queen is the only individual who can produce new workers.
Termites have a wide body with straight antennae while most ants have curved antennae with a pinched waist. If you suspect you have termites, call a professional exterminator for assessment and treatment. And, when deciding which method to use to eliminate them, it helps to know what kind of ant you're dealing with. Little black ants are 1/16-inch long with two-segmented abdomens.
That’s why we’re sharing these ways how to get rid of ants in the house quickly and easily. Try using a 1-to-1 vinegar and water mixture to clean hard surfaces, including floors and countertops, wherever ants are likely to travel. If you see ants, spray the mixture on them or wipe them up with a paper towel. If the scent is too strong, try making a mixture of tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and water. Adapting your life to prevent ants is not easy and takes constant effort.
How To Get Rid Of Ants - Southern Living
How To Get Rid Of Ants.
Posted: Mon, 30 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Best ant traps, poisons, and repellents
We tested some of the most common products on the market to find the best ant traps and repellents out there. Dealing with an ant infestation is certainly no picnic — but there are a few effective methods that will help to evict the little pests for good. While little black ants don’t pose a threat to our health, they can be a nuisance and contaminate food. Depending on what type of ant you're dealing with, repellant products could make your problem much worse.
To stop ants from making homes in your plants, surround the soil with citrus rinds from lemons or oranges. Check your houseplants for swarms of ants, which might indicate nests underneath the soil. You can also use boric acid as an ingredient in do-it-yourself (DIY) ant traps. Mix the powder with something sweet that will attract ants, such as maple syrup or corn syrup. Spread on a flat, disposable surface like cardboard and place in areas where you see ants.
Boric acid is a great ant killer and is a great ingredient to include in any trap. Of course, if ants are also a problem outside, you can always grow plants that repel ants, too. Herbs and citronella are distasteful to ants and they will avoid areas where those plants grow. An added benefit is that these plants have an appealing aroma to humans so spread them throughout the yard where ants are a problem. Clean the bowls immediately to eliminate the scent of the food.
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