Unless you’re from the southern United States, you probably haven’t had to deal with fire ants before.
If so, congrats! You’re about to have your life changed. Fire ants are a common invasive pest in many parts of the country (including my home state, Oregon), and they can be a real pain for homeowners who don’t know how to get rid of them.
But fear not! I’m here to help with all kinds of methods that will help you eliminate these pests once and for all.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Carpender ants can cause structural damage to your home if left untreated. |
| Identifying the signs of a carpenter ant infestation is crucial for treatment. |
| Prevention methods, such as eliminating moisture sources, can help prevent carpenter ants from infesting your home. |
| Treating a carpenter ant infestation often requires professional pest control services. |
| Regular inspection of your home for signs of carpenter ants can help prevent severe damage. |
Flick And Roll
- Flick and roll! This is a great way to get rid of ants. Take a small piece of paper towel and spread some cooking oil on it with your finger. Roll the paper towel up into a ball and flick it at the ant nest or trail. Repeat this process until all the ants are gone.
Douse With Dish Soap Or Vinegar
To get rid of the big black ants, you have to douse them with soap or vinegar. It’s not a great idea to use dish soap on your countertops, so place some in a spray bottle and spray the ants.
If you don’t have any dish soap, try pouring some vinegar where they are coming from. Vinegar will kill them just as effectively as dish soap does and it won’t leave any residue behind either!
Spray With Bleach Or Borax
Spraying the ants with a mixture of water and bleach or borax is another way to get rid of them. To make this mixture, mix one cup of water with 1 teaspoon of bleach or borax in a spray bottle.
Spray the ants directly, then let them dry out for 24 hours before removing the dead bodies. This method does not kill the queen ant, but it will prevent more from appearing in your home.
Finding a permanent solution for ant infestation can be challenging, but with the right methods, it’s possible. Read our article on how to get rid of ants permanently to learn about our experience with ant extermination
Vacuum The Ants Up
If you happen to spot the ants in your home, you can dispose of them by vacuuming. To do this, place the vacuum hose directly on top of the ant colony and turn it on.
This will suck up all the ants inside and kill them instantly. Be sure not to vacuum up any debris or dust that isn’t part of an ant colony—this could ruin your vacuum and make it much harder for you to clean up after yourself later!
You may have noticed that this method does not involve killing off any ants that are outside in your yard or around your home.
That’s because getting rid of these pests outdoors is much harder than indoors; so instead we recommend doing everything possible within reason before trying anything else!
Wipe Down Surfaces
This is a good time to clean the countertops, floors, and other areas where you have seen ants. Use a paper towel or cloth to wipe down surfaces.
You may also use an all-purpose disinfectant spray if desired. Be sure to thoroughly clean any crevice where the insects might be hiding – for example, under your sink or behind appliances in your kitchen.
Disinfectant spray can help get rid of fleas on dogs and cats by spraying it directly onto the animal’s skin.
Spray some of the disinfectant spray on an area where there are no ants (such as on your floor) before wiping it off with a clean cloth or paper towel; this will ensure that no harmful chemicals come into contact with your pet’s paws.
Ants can be a nuisance outdoors, making it challenging to enjoy your home’s exterior. Our guide on how to get rid of ants outside permanently can help you identify and eliminate ant colonies for good.
Make A Trap With Honey Or Boric Acid
Mix honey and water together to make a syrup. You can use 1 part water to 1 part honey, or 2 parts water to 1 part honey.
Add boric acid to the syrup. The amount of boric acid depends on how much syrup you made; for example, if you started with 2 cups of syrup, add about 1/4 teaspoon of boric acid powder (you can find it in the insect repellent section at any hardware store).
Pour the mixture into a jar or bottle with a lid (a recycled soda bottle works well). Place this outside where ants are seen marching around (in areas like kitchens where food is prepared is an ideal location) so that other insects cannot reach it easily but ants can get into it easily through their mandibles – they will carry some back home after feeding on it!
How to Get Rid of Black Ants: Effective Methods
| Methods | Description |
|---|---|
| Make a Trap with Honey | Mix 1 part honey with 1 part warm water and place in a shallow dish. Ants will be attracted to the sweetness of the honey and trapped once they climb in. |
| Make a Trap with Boric Acid | Mix 3 parts boric acid with 1 part sugar or syrup and spread onto a piece of cardboard. Place the cardboard trap in areas where ants are present. The ants will consume the mixture, which will kill them. |
Feed Them Another Kind Of Poison Bait
If you want to go with a natural bait, you can use peanut butter or honey. The idea behind this method is that by feeding the ants these foods, they will stop looking for other food sources and begin eating what has been provided even if it is not something they normally eat.
You need to place your bait in an area that has become infested by the ants so they have access to it when they come out of their nest. You can use small jars with holes punched in them as well as special traps designed specifically for capturing large numbers of ants (like ant traps).
Find An Ant Nest And Kill It
Find an ant nest and kill it. This can be tricky, as ants don’t always leave obvious trails. But if you find one, use a spray insecticide (not a powder) to kill them on contact.
Spray the edges of your home with an insecticide that is labeled for indoor/outdoor use and will repel or kill the ants. Some examples are Ortho Max Insect Killer Spray and Home Defense MAX Indoor/Outdoor Formula Insect Killer Aerosol Spray.
Fire ants are especially frustrating due to their painful bites and large colonies. Check out our article on how to get rid of fire ants for a simple guide on preventing and eliminating fire ants
Use Sticky Tape
If you’re dealing with a few ants, it’s possible to get rid of them in one night. You’ll have to be patient, though, as this method takes time.
First, find where they are entering the house. The openings are usually around windows and doors but they can also be along walls or floors.
If you don’t know where the entrances are, put some food on a piece of sticky tape and place it at an entry point overnight; then look for any signs of ants in your home in the morning (this is how I found out that my kitchen window was being used by ants).
Once you’ve identified which areas need to be sealed off, take some duct tape and stick it over each entrance point until there aren’t any gaps between the tape and whatever surface it’s covering (don’t use regular masking tape because it isn’t sticky enough).
If there are holes where pipes or wires go through the wall or floorboards under your carpeting/carpet pad then cover those too with duct tape so that no insects can get inside through them either!
This may seem excessive but trust me when I say that these guys do not like light so unless something blocks their path completely they will try everything possible not only once but multiple times before giving up altogether.
Keeping ants out of your house can be a constant battle, but with the right measures, it’s possible. Our owner experience on how to keep ants out of house can provide helpful tips and tricks to keep your home ant-free.
Apply Citrus Spray To Entry Points
The first step in getting rid of black ants is to kill the ones you have. Spraying citrus spray at the entry points can help keep them out, so you don’t have to deal with any more intruders.
Make sure you do this when there’s no one around and make sure your pets are safe before you apply it; you don’t want to accidentally injure someone or worse!
One thing to note: if your ant problem isn’t severe, don’t use citrus sprays on plants or other surfaces—it can be harmful for them if they ingest it by accident.
Check For Food Sources In Your House And Yard
The first step to getting rid of ants is to find out where they’re coming from. It’s possible that you have an infestation in your house, but it’s just as likely that you have a few strays wandering around the yard.
Ants are attracted to moisture and food, so if there’s any kind of food source near your house, this can be an easy way for them to get onto your property in search of more food. If you live in a home with an outdoor area (like a garden or yard), pay special attention to these areas for signs of ant activity.
Preventing ants from entering your home can be as simple as using household items you already have. Check out our simple methods to keep ants away article for natural and effective ant repellents
Conclusion
It’s always best to try to eliminate the cause of an ant infestation, but sometimes there’s no escaping these pesky pests.
Thankfully, there are plenty of methods that can help you get rid of them quickly and easily without having to call in any professionals or expensive equipment!
Just remember: if you start seeing a lot of ants in your house or yard, be proactive about containing them before they get out of hand!
Further Reading
How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants: Learn about prevention and treatment methods for carpenter ants in your home.
Carpenter Ants: This page offers information on the habitat, behavior, and control of carpenter ants.
How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants: This article provides a step-by-step guide to eliminate carpenter ants from your home.
FAQs
What are carpenter ants?
Carpenter ants are large ants that make their homes in wood. They can cause damage to homes and other structures if left untreated.
How do I know if I have carpenter ants?
Carpenter ants typically leave behind sawdust, called “frass”, as they tunnel through wood. You may also see large ants with wings or antenna protruding from damaged wood.
How do I prevent carpenter ants from infesting my home?
Prevent carpenter ants from infesting your home by eliminating sources of moisture, removing fallen or rotting trees, and sealing cracks and gaps around your home’s exterior.
How can I treat a carpenter ant infestation in my home?
Treatment for a carpenter ant infestation typically involves locating the nest and using bait or insecticide to eliminate the colony. It’s recommended to consult with a professional pest control service for effective treatment.
Can carpenter ants cause damage to my home?
Yes, carpenter ants can cause significant structural damage to homes and other buildings if left untreated. It’s essential to address carpenter ant infestations as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
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!
