Ants in the house can be very frustrating, especially when they are in the kitchen. Dealing with them is a challenge. However, knowing how to get rid of ants depends on understanding their behavior first. Selecting the right treatment according to your situation helps you get rid of ants effectively. 

Houses are attractive to pests who are searching for food, shelter, or water. Once a few scouts locate a source, the rest of the colony is bound to follow.  There are natural ant remedies and even more aggressive chemical treatments. Let’s discuss various ways to get rid of stubborn ant infestations. 

How To Get Rid Of Ants by Natural Remedies 

Natural home remedies for ants are a great way to manage infestation, especially in the early stages. Some remedies are actually made from common household items. These measures are a lot safer for homes with children and pets. However, you must consistently put in the effort to gain the best results.

Lemon Juice Spray

Lemon juice disrupts the ant’s scent trails for navigation. All you need to do is mix equal parts of lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Apply to surfaces like entry points, windowsills and baseboards. 

Vinegar Solution

Vinegar is one of the best ant removal methods. It not only kills ants but also destroys their scent trails. Just combine white vinegar and water (1:1 ratio). Apply to countertops, floors, and other surfaces where ants are frequently seen. 

Cinnamon Powder 

Another homemade ant killer is cinnamon. It is both a repellent and suffocant. Sprinkle ground cinnamon at the most common entry points. For a stronger effect, mix water with cinnamon oil and spray it. 

Peppermint Oil Spray

An exceptionally strong repellent, especially for ants in the kitchen, is peppermint. Mix 10-15 drops of peppermint oil with 2 cups of water. Spray where ants are most frequently sighted. 

Baking Soda and Sugar

Powdered sugar mixed with baking soda is a homemade ant killer that can wipe out entire colonies over time. Mix equal parts of baking soda and powdered sugar. Place this mix in shallow containers and position them along ant trails.

Borax Trap

If you mix ½ tsp borax, 8 tsp sugar, and 1 cup warm water, you can create an effective ant trap. Just soak cotton balls in the mixture and place them along ant trails. Make sure you store the trap safely out of reach of children or pets.

Diatomaceous Earth

Food-grade diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled on ant trails and entry points. The powder works by desiccating ants’ exoskeletons. This kills them without the use of any toxic chemicals. Avoid breathing in or having skin contact with the powder during application. 

Glass Cleaner Mix

In a spray bottle, combine equal amounts of glass cleaner and dish soap. You can use the mixture to wipe down ant trails. By doing this, you will disrupt the navigation because scent trails will be removed. 

Black or Red Pepper

Use ground black pepper or cayenne pepper to create a defensive border around baseboards, corners and doorways. The scent will naturally repel ants. To ensure effectiveness, you will have to reapply. 

Tea Tree Oil Spray

A tea tree oil mix acts as a natural ant repellent. To create the mix, you must combine 5-10 drops of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water. Now, take cotton balls and soak them with the mixture. Apply the balls to the affected areas. You can even spray the mix.

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil

The citronella compound in lemon eucalyptus oil makes it an excellent ant-repellent. Soak cotton balls in the oil and place them in areas where ants are likely to be. It is advised to replace the cotton balls with fresh oil weekly to see the best results. 

Boiling Water

The best way to get rid of ants permanently is to pour boiling water into the ant holes. The boiling water will kill the ants. To spot the ant holes, look for them around a hill. Check all active anthills since colonies are usually much bigger than they seem.

Cornstarch Trap

You have to cover ants with cornstarch. Then, suffocate them with water or just vacuum them. The vacuum bag must be disposed of outside the house. This method quickly removes large amounts of ants.

Cinnamon Leaf Oil

Take undiluted cinnamon leaf oil and soak cotton balls in it. Now, place them in ant-prone areas. The oil containing Trans-cinnamaldehyde will repel the ants naturally. However, you have to replace the cotton balls with fresh oil weekly. 

Neem Oil Spray

Full-strength neem oil is effective for repelling ants. It is also a pesticide for aphids they farm. Just spray the neem oil on the plants and ant trails. Make sure you don’t make a diluted solution, as it loses its effectiveness. 

Coffee Grounds

Sprinkle used coffee grounds on cards or window sills with ant trails. The smell works by repelling ants. Make sure to replace them often, as the grounds lose effectiveness when they get dried.

Discover how to get rid of fruit flies in your house by using natural remedies. 

How To Kill Ants In The Kitchen

The kitchen has a lot of food sources. Hence, ants are commonly found in the kitchen. How to eliminate ants from the kitchen depends on a combination of deep cleaning and preventive measures. The aroma of food is a major attraction for ants. Even a small spill or crumb is enough to attract them. 

Below are some tips on how to get rid of ants in the kitchen.

• Ensure daily cleaning of kitchen countertops and floors.
• Keep food in airtight containers.
• Immediately wipe pet bowls after feeding time.
• Use vinegar or citrus sprays on kitchen surfaces.
• Close off places around windows, doors, and under sinks that are exposed to the outside.
• Take the trash out as often as you can

Chemical Solutions for Ant Problems

Chemical products may be necessary if natural solutions do not work. These tend to be more effective but bring about safety risks, especially in homes with pets or children. The most important factor is the proper selection and application of the chemical method. 

Ways for how to get rid of ants using chemical methods include:

• Ant Baits: Ants transport poisoned bait back to the nest, which kills the colony.
• Sprays: Provide instant kill but are less effective for long-term control.
• Granules: Placed outdoors near the nest to target colonies directly.

Children and pets should be kept away from these. You must strictly follow the product instructions to ensure safety and effectiveness.

When to Call Professional Pest Control

When all DIY ant control tips fail, it’s time to call a professional. With the right tools, they can eliminate the infestation within a short period. You must seek professional help when ants start to multiply within a short period after treatment. 

An exterminator must be called if you find nests located behind walls or in hard-to-reach places. Winged ants also highlight mature nests. If your health is of concern, seek licensed providers that use green or low-toxicity procedures. Professional help is also great if you can’t figure out how to get rid of Silverfish in your house. 

Long-Term Prevention: Keep Ants Out for Good

Once you have handled the issue at hand, the next step is to ensure that the problem does not happen again. To achieve long-term prevention, you must maintain good hygiene and eliminate all entry points.  

Most effective prevention measures include sealing all gaps in your house’s perimeter. Keep plants away from your house’s structure. You must fix leaks and reduce water buildup. It is advised to wash floors and countertops and empty the bins regularly.  By applying pest repellent at the entry points, you can keep the ants away.

Keeping Pets and Kids Safe While Fighting Ants

Your home’s safety must be prioritized while dealing with ant infestations. Most ant control methods involve products which, if misused, can be dangerous to children and pets. To ensure safe and controlled practices, you must employ DIY solutions such as essential oils in areas accessible only to children. 

Covering baits with toys or putting them behind furniture is important. Do not use chemical sprays around toys or food.  Keep all ant control products locked away in high cabinets, out of reach. In case of doubt, use natural options such as Terro or Aunt Fannie’s commercial sprays that are advertised as safe for pets and children. You should also look out for false widow spider during the summer season. 

Conclusion

If you don’t know how to get rid of ants, then first understand what methods are suitable for your particular case. To achieve lasting results with DIY natural remedies, professional baits, or pest control experts, you must stay dedicated. Focus first on accessible and safe options, particularly if you see ants in the house suddenly. 

Make sure you maintain cleanliness in your house and seal the ant’s entry points. This approach will help prevent future ant infestation. However, your approach should be tailored according to your family dynamics. Just stay consistent with follow-up inspections and treatments. With the correct measures, you will achieve keep your house ant-free.

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