Ant control can be difficult but, for most ant infestations, you can use relatively simple tools like ant traps or baits. If you have been invaded by ants and have no idea of what to do, don’t worry because you can usually get rid of ant problems by yourself.
Sometimes it seems like no amount of cleaning the house (or squashing those pesky bugs) will keep them from coming back, and some people just don’t want to purchase those dangerous-looking ant traps from the store.
One of the most important things to remember about the ants you see in your home is that you do not understand the entire problem!
The ants leave a trail for other ants to follow once they have located a food source. Back in the nest, there are thousands more ants just waiting to get that food. You must be able to kill all of the ants, including the ones you can’t see.
Preparing ant traps that contain ‘food’ that the ants will carry back to the nest with them is essential for getting rid of ants, no matter what type of ant you have in your home.
A Simple but Powerful Ant Trap
One of these simple all-natural recipes for an ant trap takes just three ingredients. For this recipe, you will need:
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of Borax
Simply mix all three of these ingredients together.
To make this solution into a trap, pour it into an old plastic container (or divide the mixture between two) with a lid. Poke holes in the lid. Place the container in an area where you have been seeing the ants. This way, they will be sure to find it. The ants will carry the mixture back to their nest, and it will kill all of them.
If you don’t have a plastic container, you could try a glass jar with plastic wrap over the top. Rubber band the plastic wrap and poke holes in it. Just be sure that you set the jar up high enough that it is away from kids and pets (perhaps on a windowsill).
However you set up your solution, you’ll want to place it right where you previously saw the ants walking to be sure they find it. Once they do, they’ll go get all their buddies, and they’ll all carry it back to the nest. Everyone will party and have a big feast and then they’ll die.
No more ants!
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Another Great All-Natural Ant Killer Recipe
Or, if you don’t feel like heading out and tracking down a box of Borax (or ordering it online and waiting days for it to show up), you can head to your kitchen and grab these three ingredients that you most likely already have on hand. This one is not a ‘trap’ recipe, but it’s great for spraying on the ants as you see them.
You will need:
- 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1-quart water
Mix all three of these together. You can put this mixture right into a spray bottle and spray on the ants (or any other insects that ‘bug’ you!) as you see them.
You can also use this ant killer as a barricade. Spray it wherever the ants are entering your home to help keep them out.
Other Natural Ant Remedies
If you want to wage war on the ants, naturally, here are a few more tips and tricks you can use. These home remedies are excellent options for anyone who prefers to use natural pest control for their ant problem.
You can keep ants from coming into your home by making a line they simply will not cross. Take cinnamon, chili powder, black or cayenne pepper, baby powder, or even cornmeal and ‘draw’ a line wherever you think the ants are coming in. This may be your back door, front door, garage door or windows. Putting a line of one of these down will actually keep ants out.
I want to get rid of ants fast and effectively!
Or, you can purchase food-grade diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle this outside and inside of your home. Ants hate it and will not come inside. This is a ‘bug killer that you can eat’. Diatomaceous earth is pure silica that will work to dehydrate any insects it comes into contact with, killing them. This stuff is actually great for any type of bug with a carapace, as it gets under the bug’s hard outer covering and dehydrates them quickly.
I want to get rid of ants fast and effectively!
Ants also hate white vinegar, so keep cleaning your home with it. Wherever you have seen ants (kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, etc), clean the counters and floors with white vinegar. You can also rig up a spray bottle full of white vinegar and water and spray the ants. This will kill the ones you see and keep others from coming back to that same spot.
Ant Repellent Sachets
A natural ant repellent that also smells wonderful is a sachet. Make these handy sachets can be added to drawers or closets (or the pantry) to keep ants at bay. Your sachet should include mint, lavender or bay leaves to keep the bugs away.
And if none of these solutions appeal to you, make sure to contact your local pest control company to help you take care of your ant problem.
Additional Ant Bait Resources:
- Don’t Bother Trying to Prevent Ant Infestations – Stanford Report
- Easy Remedies for Ants – NeverPest
- Ant Prevention and Natural Deterrents – NeverPest
- Baiting for Insects – Mississipi State University