Ants can be a pain to deal with. They’re always around, they like to invade your home, and they’re generally unfriendly little critters.
But we can help you make sure it doesn’t get worse than it has to be! There are several ways that you can get rid of ants in your house and keep them from coming back again. Follow these tips for the best results.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Effective ways to get rid of ants outside |
| Expert tips on how to get rid of ants permanently |
| Proven methods to get rid of sugar ants |
| Simple and natural ways to eliminate carpenter ants |
| Easy-to-follow methods for keeping ants away from your home |
Clean up
There are a variety of ways to keep ants out of your house and off your countertops. However, if you have an ant infestation, it’s important to clean up spills immediately and avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
Wash counters and floors regularly, vacuum regularly, and make sure to keep all food in sealed containers.
If you want to take extra steps for peace of mind when it comes to keeping ants out of your home, there are some things that can be done as well—such as installing an outdoor hose spigot so that you can use a jet sprayer on any trails or other areas where ants may be trying to get into the house from outside sources (like plants).
Ant infestations can be a hassle, especially if they’re outside of your house. However, there are proven ways to get rid of them for good. Check out our guide on how to get rid of ants outside to learn about effective methods that won’t harm the environment
Store Sugars And Foods Properly
To avoid attracting ants, it’s important to store your food and liquids properly. Keep the following in mind:
Do not leave food out for long periods of time. If you’re going to be away from home for more than an hour or two, wrap up anything that needs refrigerated and put it back in the fridge.
Store all foods in sealed containers or plastic bags. This will prevent any crumbs from getting on surfaces or floors where ants could take them back to your kitchen as “snacks.” (It also helps with cleanliness!)
Don’t put food on the floor—either inside or outside of your house! Ants love crawling around on surfaces like this because they think it’s their playground; make sure you don’t let them invade yours by keeping things off the ground as much as possible!
Ensure Garbage Cans Are Covered And Clean
Keep your garbage cans covered and clean. This can help prevent ants from coming into your home.
If you have a specific ant problem, consider using an ant bait. Ant baits are food-based products that attract ants and kill them with poison after they feed on the bait.
Don’t leave food out for long periods of time. Ants are attracted to sweet foods like sugar and honey, so it’s best to avoid leaving these items unattended in open containers for too long (especially if you live in a tropical climate).
If you’ve tried everything to no avail but want to have a truly ant-free home, our team has some expert tips to get rid of ants permanently. With years of experience in pest control, we guarantee you’ll find the perfect methods to eliminate any pesky ants that have invaded your personal space!
Create A Natural Ant Repellent
Mix equal parts water and vinegar together in a spray bottle. Spray on all surfaces where ants travel, including floors, counters, windowsills and doorways.
Leave it for about five minutes before wiping off with a damp cloth. Repeat this process as often as necessary to get rid of the ants.
Block Off The Ants’ Access Points To The House
The first thing you should do is make sure that the ants aren’t coming into your home through any access points.
This can be done by keeping a tidy house and never leaving food out. You should also keep pet food inside containers and clean up spills immediately, as well as keeping garbage cans covered at all times.
In addition to blocking off their access points, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of an infestation such as dirt trails or nests in your walls or ceilings. If you see these signs, contact a pest control company immediately!
Sugar ants are a common problem in many households, but you don’t have to keep living with them. Our pro tips on how to get rid of sugar ants will give you practical, easy-to-follow solutions to end your ant problems at the source.
Employ Borax Ant Killer
Borax is a naturally occurring mineral that’s found in dirt and clay. It’s also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate solution.
Borax is a white powder that can be used to kill ants by dehydrating them—you’ll find it at your local hardware store in the laundry aisle (or online).
Borax is safe for humans and pets when used as directed, but if you have sensitive skin or a pet who likes to lick things off the floor, take precautions. Wear gloves when handling the powder and make sure any food dishes are stored away from where you’re working with the borax.
Because borax kills ants by dehydrating them (just like salt does), you may want to use this method along with another treatment like sugar water or ant traps so that multiple methods can work together to get rid of all of those pesky pests!
Use Lemon Juice To Repel Ants
The acid in lemon juice can kill ants on contact, so if you’re looking for a natural way to get rid of ants, try mixing some lemon juice with water and spraying it around the house. You can also spray this mixture directly onto ants to kill them instantly.
Carpenter ants can cause serious damage to your home if you don’t take care of them immediately. But don’t worry, before you call an exterminator, you can try our simple tips on how to get rid of carpenter ants naturally and take care of the problem yourself.
Try Peppermint Oil As An Ant Deterrent
Peppermint oil is also a natural ant repellent. It’s an essential oil that can help keep ants away by masking their scent trails, which they use to navigate through your home and find food sources.
Peppermint oil doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals that may harm humans or pets if they come into contact with it, but it might sting when you apply the spray directly to your skin (which is why I recommend using gloves).
If you have small children or pets in your house, make sure everyone stays out of the area where you’re spraying peppermint oil until everything dries completely.
While some people swear by this method for getting rid of ants naturally, others say that it’s not very effective—it just depends on what type of ants are invading your space!
| Methods | How to |
|---|---|
| Ant deterrent ingredient | Peppermint oil |
| How to use | Mix 10-15 drops of peppermint oil with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture around entry points and areas where ants have been seen. Repeat every few days. |
| Why it works | Peppermint oil has a strong scent that disrupts ants’ ability to smell and communicate with each other, making them less likely to enter or stay in your home. |
| Benefits | Natural and safe alternative to chemical pesticides, pleasant scent for humans. |
| Limitations | May not be effective for severe infestations, can wear off quickly in high-traffic areas. |
Vacuum The Ants Up
If you want to be thorough, vacuum up all of the ants you can find. Use a vacuum with a hose attachment so that you can suck them up without having to pick them up yourself.
The dust from their bodies is likely to get everywhere if you try this method, so be careful not to inhale it or get it in your eyes.
If possible, leave the vacuum running for several minutes after all of the ants have been sucked up. This will prevent any stragglers from returning and re-establishing their trail outside of your house (which might make things worse).
Hire An Exterminator
If you have a large problem, Hire an exterminator. This is an option that may be more expensive than other methods but it is also the most efficient and effective way to get rid of ants in your home quickly. You can find local companies that offer ant removal services online or by asking around in your neighborhood.
Prevention is key when it comes to ants. Keep them away with simple, effective methods you can do from home. Our guide on how to keep ants away will show you how you can protect your home from these pests without spending a fortune.
Keep Up General Good Hygiene Practices And Habits
Keep up general good hygiene practices and habits.
Ants in the house can be easily controlled with a few simple steps, but it’s important to keep up general good hygiene practices and habits too, as this will help make your home less attractive to ants in the first place.
The first thing you should do is clean up anything that has been left lying around (like food crumbs), which will remove any potential sources of food for the ants to feed on and make them move elsewhere in search of sustenance
| Benefits | Details |
|---|---|
| Consistent cleaning habits | Regularly wiping down counters, floors and other surfaces makes the area less attractive to ants. |
| Proper food storage | Storing food in airtight containers or in the refrigerator helps to prevent ants from being attracted to its scent. |
| Maintaining landscaping | Keeping bushes trimmed, trees away from your home, and making sure woodpiles are stored away from the foundation is essential. |
| Proper waste management | Taking out the garbage, recycling and compost regularly will help prevent ants from being attracted to the waste. |
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you some insight into how to keep ants from invading your home.
Ants can be a real annoyance, but with the proper information and the right approach, you can take care of them quickly and easily.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you get rid of ants:
Smith’s Pest Management: How to Get Rid of Ants – a comprehensive guide on ant prevention and control.
Healthline: How to Kill Ants: 5 Simple, Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants – a list of natural ways to eliminate ants.
Family Handyman: 20 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Ants – a collection of DIY remedies to try at home.
FAQs
What are some signs of an ant infestation?
Some common signs of an ant infestation include seeing a large number of ants in your home, finding ant trails, hearing rustling sounds in walls or ceilings, and noticing holes in woodwork or carpets.
Are ants harmful to humans?
Most ants are not harmful to humans, but some species may bite or sting if they feel threatened. Additionally, ants can contaminate food if they infest your pantry or kitchen.
How do I identify the type of ant in my home?
The easiest way to identify the type of ant in your home is by examining their appearance and behavior. There are several online resources that can help you identify ants based on their physical characteristics.
How can I prevent ants from entering my home?
To prevent ants from entering your home, make sure to keep food and trash in sealed containers, clean up spills and crumbs immediately, and trim back any tree branches or shrubs that may be touching your home’s exterior.
What should I do if I can’t get rid of ants on my own?
If your ant infestation persists despite your best efforts, it may be time to call in a professional pest control company. They can help you identify the source of the infestation and use specialized treatments to eliminate the problem.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
