Ants are the worst. Not only do they bite and sting, but they also can ruin your food and make you sick if they get inside your home.
These pests are hard to get rid of, but there are some simple measures that can help keep them away from your house. Here’s how to stop ants from coming in the house:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Natural solutions are effective for preventing ants from entering your home. |
| Keeping your home clean and free of food residue can go a long way in preventing ants. |
| It’s possible to kill ants and prevent them from reappearing with proper treatment. |
| Take precautions when dealing with ants, as they can cause bites or spread harmful bacteria. |
| If a serious infestation persists, it may be time to call in the professionals. |
Spray Peppermint Oil Around The House
If you’ve noticed that your house has become a hub for ants, there are several steps you can take to prevent them from moving inside. One of the most effective methods is spraying peppermint oil around the house.
The smell of peppermint is repulsive to ants and will prevent them from coming in for days at a time. You can spray it on ant trails, ant hills, nests, holes and mounds outdoors.
If you have an outdoor area where there are many different trails leading into your house (such as under a deck), it’s best to spray all of these areas with equal parts water and peppermint oil so that no one trail becomes more welcoming than another.
If you want to keep ants away, there are several simple methods that you can try. Check out our post on How to Keep Ants Away to discover some effective ways to prevent ants from entering your home.
Clean Your Counters And Floors
Clean your counters, sinks and floors. This is the most basic way of stopping ants from coming into your house.
You can use a damp cloth to wipe down surfaces in your kitchen, bathroom and other areas of the house if you don’t want to purchase an ant spray or solution.
Make sure that you regularly sweep or vacuum the floors so that there are no crumbs that would attract ants. It’s also important not to leave food out for too long—if it gets left out overnight, chances are good that an ant will come by and have some!
| Actions | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Wipe up food spills and residue | Eliminates food sources for ants |
| Sweep floors regularly | Removes crumbs and debris that can attract ants |
| Mop floors with vinegar solution | Discourages ants with scent and taste |
| Keep countertops clean | Makes it harder for ants to access food |
Set Out A Trap
If you’re dealing with an ant problem, one of the best ways to get rid of them is by trapping them. You can use a plastic bottle and peanut butter for bait.
Spray the inside of the bottle with cooking oil, then flip it upside down so that it’s sitting on its lid and fill it halfway with peanut butter (you don’t want the ants drowning).
The ant will go inside to get at your bait, but once they’re inside they won’t be able to find their way back out again without help—and now you’ve got ’em!
Set out your traps in areas where you’ve seen ants congregating. Keep them up for at least three days so that all available ants have time to enter into their trap before moving elsewhere in search of food or water sources outside your home (if they do).
Are you tired of dealing with pesky ants in your home? In our guide on How to Get Rid of Ants Permanently, we share some tried and tested tips that can help you eliminate ants for good.
Cut Off Their Access To Food
Don’t leave food out, especially on the counter or in the sink. Ants will find it! Pet food is also a big attraction for ants because it’s so rich in protein and fat. Make sure you take all trash out regularly, including anything with meat or dairy products that they might be attracted to (like eggshells).
Clean up spills as soon as possible because they could be giving ants something tasty to snack on. If there are crumbs of any kind on the floor, sweep them up right away to avoid attracting more ants—and not just those who have been invited through a small opening into your home!
Place Cloves Around The House
Cloves are a natural repellent, so you can use them to keep ants from coming indoors. They contain eugenol and cineole, which act as insect repellents. To prepare cloves for use:
Simmer 1/4 cup of water in a small saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves or 2 teaspoons ground cloves.
Cover the pan with a lid or tight-fitting plastic wrap and let it steep until cooled completely (about 30 minutes). Strain out the cloves using cheesecloth or coffee filters before storing in an airtight container such as an old spice jar that you’re no longer using (you may want to label this jar “Clove Oil”).
You may also opt to skip this step if you don’t mind being able to see your oil floating at the top of your storage container!
For every 1 cup of vinegar in your spray bottle, add 10 drops clove oil (or fill up halfway with water first, then slowly pour the contents into another container filled with 10 drops clove oil).
Ant bites can be painful and itchy, but there are simple remedies that you can use to soothe the affected area. Head over to our post on How to Treat Ant Bites for some easy fixes that can give you relief.
Sprinkle Cinnamon Around Your Home
Cinnamon is a natural ant repellant and can be used in many different ways. It’s inexpensive, which is the best part about it!
You can sprinkle some cinnamon on the countertops, behind furniture, and near doors to prevent ants from entering your house. The smell of cinnamon will also keep other insects out of your house as well as mice!
| Actions | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Sprinkle cinnamon near ant entry points | Repels ants with its strong scent |
| Spread cinnamon near problematic areas | Blocks ant trails and disorients them |
| Combine cinnamon with other repellents | Enhances the effectiveness of other natural repellents |
| Reapply cinnamon every few days | Maintains the cinnamon barrier |
Check For Cracks In Your Foundation And Walls
- Check for cracks in your foundation and walls. Ants can get into your home through cracks in the foundation or walls, as well as around windows and doors.
- Check for leaks in pipes. Leaks from plumbing can cause ants to move into your home out of necessity to find water sources elsewhere.
- Check for cracks in window frames, door frames, and around chimneys or other areas where heat is escaping from your home more than usual because they are attracted to warmth.
Invest In A Dehumidifier
Perhaps you don’t have any ants in your home, but you may get them if the humidity is too high. A dehumidifier can help with this.
If a dehumidifier is out of your budget right now, you can buy a large plastic storage bin and place it in an area where humidity tends to build up (like under a sink). The bin will collect some moisture, which can be emptied into the toilet when full.
Dehumidifiers are great investments for people who have allergies because they can remove dust particles from the air that cause allergies.
However, they do come with some drawbacks: they are expensive; they are noisy; and they need to be emptied often (which might not be possible for those living on lower floors of their apartment building). Also keep in mind that dehumidifiers tend to use up precious energy!
Looking for natural solutions to get rid of ants? Our post on How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally has got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of effective, natural methods that can help you keep ants at bay
Use Cucumber Slices Or Peels
If you want to try this method, make sure that your cucumbers aren’t sprayed with pesticides. If they are, the pesticide will seep into the ants’ bodies and kill them.
If you want to use cucumber slices or peels, place them in places where you frequently see ants coming in. However, make sure not to leave them in one place for a long time because it could attract more ants over time.
Use Cayenne Pepper Or Black Pepper On Ant Trails
Another remedy is to sprinkle cayenne pepper or black pepper along ant trails. These spices are toxic to ants and will kill them. You can also use a mixture of cayenne pepper and water, which works just as well.
Take Care Of Outdoor Plants That Attract Ants
If you have a plant that attracts ants, take care of it as soon as possible. Ideally, you should cut off the roots of the plant and discard them in your garbage.
You can also remove all the soil from around the base of the plant. The next step is to place the pot in direct sunlight for at least one week; this will dry out any moisture within its structure and discourage ants from returning to it once they’ve been removed.
Although some people believe that eliminating an ant colony’s food source will cause them to leave their nest and seek out new sources somewhere else (or die), there’s no guarantee that this method will work every time.
However, if nothing else has worked so far—and if taking care of your plants isn’t something you’re willing or able to do—it’s worth trying!
Ants can be a nuisance when they invade your home, but there’s an easy solution to get rid of them. Read our guide on How to Get Rid of Ants in the House to discover a simple and effective way to eliminate ants and keep them from coming back.
Conclusion
Most people are not fond of ants, but it is important to be careful about how you get rid of them. Some methods can be toxic or harmful to pets or children if they come into contact with them.
If possible, try using natural methods like cinnamon and peppermint oil before resorting to other options like insecticides or traps that could have dangerous effects on humans and other animals as well. Happy ant-free living!
Further Reading
Tips to Keep Ants Away the Natural Way: A blog post that provides helpful information on natural methods and remedies to keep ants away from your home.
8 Ways to Prevent Ants from Entering Your House: A comprehensive guide on how to ward off ants from your home with eight effective tips that you can implement.
How to Kill Ants and Stop Them from Coming Back: An informative Healthline article that explores ways to kill ants, including natural options, and how to prevent them from reappearing.
FAQs
What are some natural ways to get rid of ants?
There are several natural ways to get rid of ants, including using vinegar, essential oils, and citrus peels. You can also try spreading diatomaceous earth, cinnamon, or coffee grounds near ant trails.
How can you prevent ants from entering your home?
To prevent ants from entering your home, you can start by keeping your home clean, wiping up spills and crumbs immediately, and storing food in airtight containers. You can also seal any openings or cracks around doors and windows, trim back vegetation away from your home, and avoid leaving pet food out for extended periods.
How long does it take to get rid of ants?
The length of time it takes to get rid of ants depends on the size of the infestation and the methods you’re using. With natural remedies or non-toxic insecticides, it may take a little longer to achieve full control, but you’ll avoid exposure to harmful chemicals.
Are there any health risks associated with ants?
Most species of ants are harmless, but some can bite or sting, which can cause discomfort or allergic reactions in some individuals. Certain types of ants can also carry and transfer bacteria, such as salmonella, which can be harmful to human health.
When should you call a professional to get rid of ants?
If you’ve tried multiple methods to get rid of ants and the infestation persists, it may be time to call a professional pest control company to assess the situation and recommend an effective course of action.
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!
