Ants are a common problem for homeowners. There are many different types of ants, but the most common species in the United States is Pharaoh ant.
Pharaoh ants tend to live indoors during the summer months, and can enter homes through almost any crack or crevice.
They eat just about anything food, plants, other insects and will forage outdoors for their food sources when they’re inside your home.
You don’t need to worry about these ants hurting you or your family members; however, their presence can be annoying and unsightly if left untreated!
To get rid of them naturally without using harsh chemicals try some of these simple solutions:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Getting rid of ants permanently requires patience, consistency, and a multi-step approach. |
| There are easy solutions to getting rid of ants in your home and kitchen. |
| Sugar ants can be challenging to eliminate, but with the right knowledge and tools, it’s possible. |
| Prevention is the first line of defense against ants; it’s essential to eliminate food sources and seal up any cracks or crevices. |
| Natural remedies, such as vinegar and essential oils, can help deter ants from entering your home. |
Ant Spray
You can also spray the ants inside their nest. This is a little trickier, but if you have a lot of activity, it’s worth trying. Spray the entrance to their nest with a spray bottle or small squirt gun filled with household bleach (plain bleach will do).
If you are using a spray bottle, make sure that it’s full of water and not vinegar; vinegar won’t kill them as well!
- If you don’t see any ants on the ground after spraying everything above, try spraying around your house’s foundation as well.
- Once you have sprayed everywhere else around your house and have not seen any more ants for a few days in this area, then you know that they are gone!
When it comes to eliminating ants permanently, patience is key. Learn more about the experience-based methods of getting rid of ants permanently to ensure long-lasting results.
Ant Killer Spray
First, spray the ant killer on the ants. Spray around the area where you see ants, and also in cracks and crevices where you think ants are entering your home. If you see any areas where the ants are living (such as garden beds), spray those too.
Spray all over the house! Ants will take their dead friends back to their nest and feed them to their colony members… which means they’re exposing themselves to lots of poison unless they find some way around it!
A few days after spraying these areas with an ant killer, there should be fewer live insects roaming around looking for food or water sources outside—which means less of a chance that any other critters will come near your house either
| Brand | Active Ingredient | Targeted Ant Species |
|---|---|---|
| Terro Ant Killer | Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate | All common household ants |
| Raid Ant & Roach Killer | Imiprothrin and Cypermethrin | Most household ants |
| Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer | Bifenthrin | Most household ants |
| Hot Shot Ant & Roach Plus Germ Killer | Imiprothrin, Lambda-cyhalothrin, and N-Octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide | Most household ants |
| Eco Defense Home Pest Control Spray | Essential Oils | All common household ants |
Boric Acid
Boric acid is a powder that you can find at your local hardware store. It’s toxic to ants, but it won’t hurt your skin or pets, so you don’t have to worry about washing it off after application.
You should always wear gloves and a mask when applying boric acid because of the dust that can be created while applying it.
If you want to use boric acid indoors and outdoors, make sure that there are no pets or children around and then spread the powder where ants are likely to be found (in cracks in sidewalks or walls).
It’s also important not to use this method if there are any plants near where you plan on applying boric acid as it could harm them due its toxicity level.
Dealing with ants in the house can be a major headache. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to the problem. Take a look at our tips for getting rid of ants in the house to help keep those pesky bugs at bay
Dark Corners
Check dark corners. Ants usually build their nests in dark and moist places, so you can find the source of their infestation by looking for trails that lead into the shadows.
Once you’ve found the trail, it will be easy to follow it back to where they are coming from and make sure there is no entry point for them at this location.
If you can’t find a trail, look for ant activity instead! If you see ants running around your home or yard but don’t see where they’re coming from, chances are good that they’ve made themselves at home somewhere inside your walls or floorboards or even inside some other object lying around outside like an old tree stump or log pile (you never know).
If this is the case then identify where there seems to be an unusually high concentration of activity; this may indicate which direction leads towards their nest.
Fabric, Paper And Cardboard
Fabric: If you have a lot of fabric, putting it in front of the nest will block them from getting inside your house.
Paper and cardboard: You can also use paper and cardboard to block their path. Place some of these items in a container then place the container over the ant nest so that it covers it completely from view.
Ants in the kitchen are not only unsightly, but they can also present a hygiene issue. If you’re struggling with ant infestations in your kitchen, check out our pro tips for getting rid of ants in the kitchen to get your kitchen clean and ant-free
Liquid Soap And Detergent
If you’re willing to try a little home remedy, mix some liquid soap and detergent in a spray bottle. Spray the ants, then wash away the soap with water.
Repeat until the ants are gone. This method may take more time than others because it requires multiple applications, but it’s effective and safe for kids and pets.
| Product | Results | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn Dish Soap | Glues ants’ bodies together, suffocates them | Mix a small amount of Dawn with water and spray on or around ants. |
| Ivory Liquid Soap | Same as Dawn Dish Soap | Mix water with liquid soap, then apply to ants’ trails or nests. |
| Mrs. Meyers Clean Day | Removes pheromone trails and deters new ants | Mix 1⁄4 cup of soap in 1 quart of water and spray or wipe on areas where ants have been spotted. |
| Seventh Generation Liquid Dish Soap | Removes pheromone trails and deters new ants | Mix 2 cups of vinegar, 2 cups of water with few drops of soap, spray where ants have been spotted. |
| Bon Ami Powder Cleanser | Combat against grease ants, but less effective | Mix Bon Ami Powder Cleanser with equal parts of salt and water, sprinkle along trails or nests. |
Lysol, Pine Sol, Etc.
You can use these products to spray the ants and their trails on the ground. You can also use them inside your home, but you should be careful not to spray any over food or in areas where food is prepared.
Lysol and Pine Sol are very effective at getting rid of ants, but they may leave a strong odor behind that some people don’t like.
If this is an issue for you, then there are other options available that are just as effective without as much of a scent (though they’ll still smell).
Metal Polish And Scuff Pads
Next, use metal polish and a scuff pad to clean the surface of the door. Follow up with a damp cloth to remove any leftover residue. Make sure to keep the area free of debris by sweeping it regularly with a broom or leaf blower.
Sugar ants can be particularly challenging to get rid of, but with the right knowledge and tools, it’s possible. Take a look at our pro tips for getting rid of sugar ants to keep your home free from these tiny invaders
Newspaper
The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure there’s no food scraps inside. If ants are getting into your home, the best place for them to be living is in the kitchen or bathroom.
You can prevent this by putting out paper towels or napkins on the floors of these rooms—just make sure they don’t touch the walls or any other surfaces.
You can also put a folded up piece of newspaper under your sink so that it covers some of the pipes as well, since these areas are often overlooked when cleaning up after meals.
Finally, if you have pets like cats or dogs who sometimes sleep outside on their own beds instead of yours (or even just allow them inside at night), make sure all crumbs from their bowls have been cleaned up before putting out any newspapers anywhere else in your house!
If those steps didn’t solve everything, then it’s time for something more drastic: removing all furniture from every room except one small spot near an outlet where everyone who lives there spends most of their time together each day…
Prevention is the first line of defense against ants. If you want to avoid the hassle of dealing with ant infestations altogether, check out our simple methods for keeping ants away to safeguard your home from these common insects.
Cut Weeds
Cutting the weeds around your home can help reduce the ant population, because it will deprive them of food and shelter.
- Remove any tall grasses or weeds from beneath your house as well, particularly if they touch the walls.
- Cut back all tall grasses and weeds in an area at least 3 feet around your house. This may require more than one cut depending on how fast they grow, but try to keep them mowed so that ants are unable to get into the house through cracks or holes in foundation walls.
Odor-Eliminating Solutions (Depending On The Ant Species)
Depending on the species of ant you have, odor-eliminating solutions can be a good way to get rid of them.
For example, if they’re carpenter ants and they’ve been nesting in your house, an odor-eliminating solution will help you get rid of their scent so they won’t return to their old home.
If they’re sugar ants or fire ants, however, these types of solutions aren’t effective at all. In fact, it might be best for you not to use this method at all if your problem is with one of these two species; instead just call us so we can make sure everyone gets back safely!
Conclusion
Now that you know how to get rid of ants outside, it’s time to go out and try some of these natural remedies.
Ants are pesky little critters that can ruin your day if they become too noticeable in your home or garden.
Luckily, there are many natural ways to get rid of them without using harsh chemicals or pesticides.
One of the best methods is using boric acid powder around cracks where ants may enter your home and spread throughout areas where there are food sources present like kitchen counters, pantries or even under sinks.
Spraying vinegar solution on trails outside helps repel them from coming back into areas where they might want to nest again after being sprayed with this mixture twice weekly for several weeks!
If none of these work then try setting traps because sometimes just one colony will not be able to stop other ones from coming in as well so do not underestimate how many times this process needs repeating until all colonies have been removed completely!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on getting rid of ants:
HGTV’s tips for getting rid of ants: This guide provides thorough advice on how to keep ants out of your home and garden.
Family Handyman’s 10 natural ways to get rid of ants: Learn about natural ways to eliminate ant infestations, as well as how to prevent future invasions.
Healthline’s guide on how to kill ants: This article provides comprehensive information on the different methods of ant control and prevention.
FAQs
How can I tell if I have an ant infestation?
Some signs of an ant infestation include seeing a steady stream of ants in your home, discovering ant mounds around your property, and finding discarded ant wings near windows or doors.
What’s the best way to get rid of ants?
The best approach to eliminating ants depends on the type of ant and extent of your infestation. Some common methods include using ant bait traps, setting up ant barriers, and trying natural deterrents like vinegar or essential oils.
How can I prevent ants from coming into my home?
To prevent ants from entering your home, make sure to seal up cracks and crevices along your foundation, eliminate food sources by storing food in sealed containers, and clean up spills or messes immediately.
Is it safe to use chemicals to get rid of ants?
Most ant control products are relatively safe if used as directed. However, if you have pets or young children, it’s essential to choose ant control products that are non-toxic and pet-friendly.
How long does it take to get rid of an ant infestation?
The duration of an ant infestation depends on the severity of the problem and the control methods used. In some cases, it may take several weeks or even months to completely eliminate an ant colony.
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!
