How to Get Rid of Ants The Old Farmer's Almanac

Table Of Content

• Ants vs. Carpenter Ants vs. Termites
• How to Kill Ants in Your Yard: Destroy Exterior Nests
• The best ways to get rid of ants in your home and how to keep them out permanently
• Carnivorous plants
• Use natural deterrents
• Natural Ways to Kill Ants
• Cinnamon leaf essential oil
• Ant Identification: 10 Common Types of Ants You May Encounter

This method will work to kill the entire colony in roughly 24 to 48 hours, as the worker ants will bring the liquid back to the nest. According to Spicer, Saigon cinnamon can be especially effective when sprinkled around anthills, across their paths, on kitchen countertops and along floorboards. And cinnamon essential oil can effectively repel and exterminate ants, too.

Ants vs. Carpenter Ants vs. Termites

Look for one who’s committed to using the least toxic products possible. Let them know if you have children, pets, or other concerns, such as a respiratory health condition. For example, Raid is a chemical spray that can be very effective on ants. It’s long-lasting, but it contains imiprothrin and cypermethrin, two chemical compounds that shouldn’t be inhaled or ingested.

How to Kill Ants in Your Yard: Destroy Exterior Nests

Diatomaceous earth (DE) looks like white powder, but it's actually a naturally occurring substance made from the fossils of algae called diatoms. It offers a non-toxic and natural option for eliminating ants and any other crawling insects. Termites have a wide body with straight antennae while most ants have curved antennae with a pinched waist.

The best ways to get rid of ants in your home and how to keep them out permanently

Why tiny ants have invaded your house, and what to do about it - The Conversation Indonesia

Why tiny ants have invaded your house, and what to do about it.

Posted: Wed, 11 Mar 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Combine spray glass cleaner with liquid detergent or dish soap to deter ants from coming into your home. The mixture will remove the ant's scented pheromone trail that they leave behind as they walk. Unfortunately it is our culinary spaces that we're most likely to find ants, because they're attracted to food.

Carnivorous plants

Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance that is made from fossilized diatoms, tiny organisms found in water. Naturally occurring, it's found in underground deposits and kills ants and other pests. "Food-grade diatomaceous earth is one of the most effective natural methods to get rid of ants," says Carpenter. Essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, citronella, lavender, or eucalyptus all have very strong scents and can act in much the same way that cinnamon does to disrupt pheromone trails. One thing to keep in mind is if you have pets or small children—some essential oils are toxic to dogs, for instance, so you'll want to make sure whatever you choose is safe to use in your home.

Use natural deterrents

They can enter through any small opening in the home, and if you see one, more will soon follow. While wiping out a colony of ants can sometimes seem like an endless loop, taking action and following up with preventative measures is much easier than you might think. Ant traps and poison are a tried and true method when it comes to eliminating pests, but James warns that pesticides are very bad for the environment. Additionally, ant poison can be dangerous for pets and young children, so be careful when applying these chemicals in your home. Dealing with an ant infestation is certainly no picnic — but there are a few effective methods that will help to evict the little pests for good.

'There is a possibility that ants could be entering the building through an open door, a window, or even through small cracks or holes in the structure itself,' says Nigel Bearman. 'Most commonly, they can be found within the interior walls of the house, within the window frames, indoors or in hidden locations. “It’s impossible to eliminate every single piece of food that these ants would have access to, but you want to prevent them from getting food in your home as much as possible,” Pereira says.

Cinnamon leaf essential oil

Use a selective pesticide that targets only ants wherever possible. Fortunately, most common indoor ants do not do much real damage. Your local hardware store will have pesticides available to purchase DIY style, but it's important to take precautions when using these potent solutions. Always remember to wear safety gear such as gloves and closed-toe shoes, and spray around the home away from the body. Store your pesticide bottle in an area that's out of reach for children and pets as these solutions can be deadly when ingested. Pepper Moran is a pest control expert with over five years experience in educating homeowners on affordable and earth-friendly ways to protect their homes from pests.

Ant Identification: 10 Common Types of Ants You May Encounter

But some species will actually build their nests in your home and camp out there. Those include pavement ants, carpenter ants, odorous house ants, thief ants, acrobat ants, and pharaoh ants. While most ants won’t harm you, some species are known to bite.

Inspect all household window screens each year, and repair or replace them as needed. Tall grass and overgrown shrubs give cover to rodents, insects, and other creatures that would not be welcome inside the house. Keep bugs and other creatures from congregating in your gutters by cleaning them out in the spring (and after leaf drop in the fall). Clogged rain gutters allow moisture to build up close to the roof line. In addition to structural problems, clogged gutters provide a water source for insects and snakes to breed. Perhaps best of all, marigolds are an easy plant to cultivate within your home since they require little maintenance and grow quickly.

The ants will feed on the bait and return to the nest and transfer the poison to the queen and colony. Make sure you keep your kitchen counter free of crumbs and clean up spills right away. It’s also good to keep any edible items you want to leave out of the cupboards sealed in airtight containers. This is especially important if you have cats or dogs, as fending off ants around pet food is a significant pest control issue that you can efficiently manage. That has the potential to drive them into your house in search of new sources of nutrients. Indoor houseplants, particularly tropical varieties, are very appealing to ants.