How to Kill Ants:20 Safe Ways to Kill Ants in Your Home Without Toxic Chemicals

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If you see one ant at a location, there are often thousands more in the surrounding area. This information might not concern you as much when you are having a picnic in the wide outdoors, but if an ant infestation happens in your house, you will want to find a solution to the problem as soon as possible.

Are ants dangerous to human beings?

The National Wildlife Federation estimates that there are more than 12,000 different kinds of ants found around the world. The overwhelming majority of these ants do not pose any threat to human health.

Ants, on the other hand, are known to harbour bacteria, which makes them a possible vector for disease and infection. For instance, a 2019 study on animals found that Monomorium ants can transport harmful germs, which poses a risk to human health. Trusted Source According to the findings of an older study that was published in 2005 by a reliable source, the pharaoh ant, which is a species of the genus Monomorium, may be a factor in bronchial asthma and respiratory allergies.

There are twenty natural methods that can be used to get rid of ants.

Ants and the colonies they create can be removed from a home in a number of different methods. Some situations may call for the assistance of professional exterminators; however, there are natural remedies that can eliminate the problem without adding any harmful chemicals or poisons to the surrounding environment.

The following are some of the most effective natural ways to kill ants and repel them using materials that may be found around the house or in nearby stores.

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1. the material is known as diatomite (silicon dioxide)

The fossilised remnants of aquatic organisms known as diatoms are the primary component of the silica found in diatomaceous earth (a type of plankton).

The substance known as diatomaceous earth is not toxic. It does this by sucking the oils out of the insects’ bones, which causes them to dry out and die. Ants and other insects fall victim to this tactic. However, because it is an irritant, you should avoid getting diatomaceous earth into your lungs or getting it on your skin.

Online retailers offer diatomaceous earth that is safe for human consumption. You can kill ants with it by either following the instructions on the packaging or sprinkling the powder everywhere you find ants.

2. a product that cleans glass and a liquid detergent

When foraging, ants leave a trail of fragrant pheromones behind them, which serves as a form of navigation. This technique can eliminate the odour, which will prevent the ants from returning to your property.

This is the procedure to follow:

In a fresh spray bottle, combine liquid detergent (dish soap) and glass cleaning spray to make a cleaning solution.

Spray the concoction on the surfaces in the regions where it appears that ants are entering or congregating.

After you have sprayed the area, you should wipe it down while leaving a slight residue.

It is necessary to repeat the instructions above as often as is required.

Note: If you do not have any glass cleaner handy, you can eliminate the aroma of ant pheromones from the surface of the glass by using soapy water of any kind (for example, hand soap or dish detergent).

3. ground pepper in either black or red

Because ants appear to find the odour disagreeable, black or red (cayenne) pepper can be used as a natural pesticide to control ant populations.

Pepper should be sprinkled along the baseboards and under the appliances if you choose to utilise this strategy. It appears from anecdotal evidence that this is a risk-free method for helping to keep ants away.

4. Peppermint

Ants and other insects, like mosquitoes, can be repelled by peppermint, which is a natural insect repellent. Peppermint may also be effective in this regard.

The following are the actions that need to be taken in order to use peppermint essential oil as an ant repellent:

A clean spray bottle made of plastic should be used to combine 10 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil with 2 cups of water.

Apply the concoction by spraying it along the baseboards and windows of your home.

Wait for the mixture to become dry, then proceed as necessary.

Keep pets, especially cats, away from peppermint oil just as you would any other essential oil. Cats, in particular, can become quite ill if they are exposed to peppermint oil.

There is a good chance that the grocery chain or health food store in your neighbourhood will stock peppermint essential oil.

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5. Oil of the tea tree

Tea tree oil, much like peppermint oil, has the potential to be an efficient ant repellent. To take advantage of this approach, carry out each of the following steps:

In a clean spray bottle made of plastic, combine between 5 and 10 drops of tea tree essential oil and 2 glasses of water.

Spray the concoction in areas around the house that are known to have ant problems. You also have the option of soaking cotton balls in the mixture and then scattering those cotton balls over your house.

Note: If you find that the aroma is overwhelming, you can try diluting it with a combination of tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and water.

Tea tree oil, like the majority of other essential oils, should be kept out of the reach of your pets.

You can get tea tree oil in your neighbourhood grocery shop, health food store, or even online at some retailers.

6. Lemon eucalyptus oil

Another natural substance that can be used to ward off insects is the oil that is pressed from the lemon eucalyptus tree. Citronella, which can be found in candles and is used to ward off mosquitoes and other flying insects, is present in this product. It has been suggested, based on anecdotal data, that it may also be beneficial in warding off ants.

To make use of this, go out the following procedures:

Cotton balls should be drenched in the pure lemon eucalyptus essential oil before being applied.

Put the cotton balls in the spots around the house where you frequently come across ants.

Every week, you should replace the cotton balls with new cotton balls that have been freshly moistened.

Ingestion of lemon eucalyptus oil is not recommended. It should be kept out of the reach of both children and animals.

There is a good chance that the health food store in your area carries lemon eucalyptus oil. It’s also available online.

7. Lemon eucalyptus essential oil (OLE)

In spite of the fact that they share a name, the oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) and the essential oil of lemon eucalyptus are not the same things. The gum eucalyptus tree, which is indigenous to Australia, is where OLE originates from. It is an efficient insect repellent because it includes a molecule that is known as p- Menthane-3,8-diol, or PMD for short.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that PMD is a biopesticide and that its use is not harmful to humans or the environment.

You can purchase OLE at your neighbourhood hardware and gardening store, on the internet, or both.

8. White vinegar

White vinegar, which can be found in any grocery shop, is an efficient and low-cost method for killing ants and driving them away. Additionally, it can be used as a natural cleaning agent.

When cleaning hard surfaces, such as floors and countertops, wherever ants are prone to go, try using a mixture of vinegar and water that is equal parts vinegar and water. In the event that you come across some ants, you may either spray the mixture on them or remove them with a paper towel.

After it has dried, the vinegar smell can still be detected by ants, but for most people, it does not linger for very long.

9. Boiling water

If you find ant holes close to your house, fill them with water that has been brought to a boil. This procedure will destroy a significant number of the ants inside in an efficient and prompt manner. Anthills might not look very big, but the ant colonies that live within them can be rather extensive.

It is unlikely that the boiling water will be sufficient to eradicate the entire colony. Because of this, you should make it a point to treat every ant hole that you find in the area surrounding your property.

10. Cornstarch Cornstarch

which can be found in grocery stores, is a substance that may be used to effectively suffocate a large number of ants at once.

Cornstarch can be used to kill ants in two distinct ways, which are as follows:

The first method involves covering the entire colony of ants with a thick layer of cornstarch and then adding water on top of it. The end result will be a large number of cornstarch-encased ants that have died, which can then be cleaned up.

The second option involves using cornstarch to cover the ants, followed by vacuuming them up while taking care to dispose of the vacuum bag containing the ants outside as soon as possible.

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11. Cinnamon leaf essential oil

One study conducted in 2005 discovered that certain chemicals present in the essential oil of cinnamon leaf, notably trans-cinnamaldehyde, had the potential to kill and repel ants, including biting red ants.

Cotton balls should be drenched in pure cinnamon leaf essential oil before being used.

Put the cotton balls in the spots around the house where you most frequently come across ants.

Every week, you should replace the cotton balls with new cotton balls that have been freshly moistened.

Essential oil made from cinnamon leaves can frequently be found in health food stores. You can also look for it on the internet.

12. Neem oil

The neem tree, which is native to India, is the source of a naturally occurring insecticide that may be extracted as neem oil.

It is recommended by gardeners to use neem oil around plants, particularly in areas where there are ants or aphids. If you poison the aphids with neem oil, you can get rid of both the ants and the aphids, which are both forms of pests. Aphids are microscopic insects that feed on sap.

It has been said that diluted neem and products that contain neem extract do not perform nearly as well as full-strength neem oil does in its intended purpose.

You may purchase neem oil from a wide variety of health food stores as well as on the internet.

13. grinds for coffee

Ants are repelled by the grounds of brewed coffee, according to a recent study. You may try dusting the grounds from your newly brewed coffee on some disposable surfaces (like index cards), and then leaving those surfaces in places where ants tend to congregate, such as pet bowls.

The grounds can even be placed on windowsills in some cases. It is possible that the grounds will lose their effectiveness once they are dry; therefore, it is important to change them frequently.

14. Boric acid

According to a study that was conducted on animals in 2003, a boric acid is a form of poison that, after being exposed to it for three weeks, can kill particular species of worker ants as well as their queen. This is accomplished by wearing away at the ant’s exoskeleton as well as its stomachs.

Because of the potential dangers it poses, boric acid must be kept out of the reach of both children and animals.

In order to make use of boric acid, please follow these steps:

Put on your protective gloves now.

Produce a solution by combining 1/2 millilitre of boric acid, 1 cup of warm water, and 8 tablespoons of sugar.

Stir the mixture thoroughly until the sugar and boric acid are completely dissolved.

Cotton balls should be soaked in water and then placed throughout the house in the spots where ants are most likely to be found.

After each usage, the containers should be carefully cleaned or thrown away.

Note that boric acid can also be used as an ingredient in do-it-yourself (DIY) and traps that you make yourself. Combine the powder with a sweet liquid that ants are drawn to, such as maple syrup or corn syrup. Ants will be drawn to this combination. Place it on a level surface that can be thrown away, such as cardboard, and then spread it in locations where you have seen ants.

You can purchase boric acid from your neighbourhood hardware and gardening store, or you can buy it online.

15. Borax (sodium tetraborate)

Despite having names that are somewhat close to one another, borax and boric acid are not the same chemical substance. It’s possible that either method can kill ants in the house just as well as the other.

It is vital to keep borax away from both children and animals, as there is a possibility that it could be dangerous.

To make use of borax, carry out the following steps:

Put on your protective gloves now.

Create a solution by mixing together one half of a teaspoon of borax, eight tablespoons of sugar, and one cup of warm water.

Continue to stir the mixture until the sugar and borax are completely dissolved.

Fill cotton balls with water and then distribute them all over your house in the cracks and crevices where ants are most likely to be found.

After each usage, the containers should be carefully cleaned or thrown away.

You may purchase borax at your neighbourhood hardware and gardening store, as well as online.

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16. Lemons

Lemon juice can be sprayed on surfaces or wiped down to remove ant pheromone trails and cover the smell of food, which will cause ants to leave the area.

In addition, placing lemon rinds in your cabinet can prevent ants from making your kitchen their home by acting as a deterrent for them to do so.

17. Give your houseplants a checkup.

Be on the lookout for swarms of ants in your houseplants; this could be a sign that there are nests buried beneath the soil. Throw away any plants that have the appearance of being contaminated.

In order to prevent ants from establishing colonies in your plants, you should line the soil with the rinds of citrus fruits such as lemons or oranges.

18. Do not bring the outdoors inside.

Keep the debris in your yard to a minimum. Remove any vines or other types of vegetation that are touching or leaning against the external walls of your home or windows, as this will make it much more difficult for ants to enter your property.

19. Eliminate all potential sources of food

Sugar, honey, and cornmeal are just a few examples of sweet and starchy foods that ants are drawn to. Therefore, one of the most effective methods for warding off ants is to remove all potential food sources that they could use as a source of nourishment.

Maintain a hermetic seal on food by storing it in airtight containers or plastic bags. After you have finished dining, immediately wash all of the plates and cooking equipment.

Make it a daily habit to sweep or vacuum up any crumbs that may have accumulated in your home. Some possible locations for the accumulation of crumbs are as follows:

places in your home where you and your family consume or prepare food, including under and around free-standing appliances, couch cushions, and garbage cans, should be checked for rodents.

Ants may also be drawn to food left out for pets. As soon as your pet has finished eating, take their dishes away from them. As soon as the dinner is finished, wash the bowls to remove any trace of the odour.

20. Eliminate ant entrances

Discovering how ants are getting into your home is the first step in getting rid of an existing infestation and preventing new ones from occurring in the future.

Check the walls and flooring of your home for cracks and look for holes around radiators and floorboards. You can either treat the cracks with an ant repellant or caulk them up. Also, check the window screens to see if there are any tears that need to be repaired.

How to get rid of ants in the kitchen

Ants and other pests are most likely to congregate in the kitchen because of its close proximity to a plentiful supply of food, making it a prime target for their attention. To prevent ants from entering the kitchen, try the following:

Every day, clean the surfaces and floors in the kitchen.

Immediately after using the dishes, you should wash them.

After your dog or cat has finished eating, the food dishes should be washed with water.

Applying natural repellents (some examples of which may be found up top) is an effective way to ward off ants and eliminate their pheromone trail.

To properly store food, use bags or containers that can be locked and sealed.

If nothing else works, then

In order to get rid of ants, you might use insecticides and items that are made in a factory if natural methods aren’t effective enough.

Bait traps Instead of using sprays, some people may find that using bait traps that hold the pesticides in an enclosed form is more convenient. In order for bait traps to be effective, ants need to be drawn to them. The ants consume the bait and then take some of it back to their nests, where it causes the death of further ants.

Some of the bait traps have borax or boric acid in them. Some of these include hydramethylnon, a chemical molecule that is harmful to children, animals, and plants used for food production, such as tomato plants.

Ant traps are sold in many hardware and gardening supply stores, as well as on the internet. Before making a purchase, it is important to verify the list of components, especially if you are trying to stay away from harmful pollutants.

Commercial repellents

There are also commercially available repellent sprays that are non-toxic and can be effective against ants.

The chemical spray is known as “Raid” is known to be particularly effective against ants. It has a long shelf life and is made up of two chemical compounds called imiprothrin and cypermethrin, neither of which should be inhaled or consumed by humans.

Exterminators

If nothing else works, calling in a professional exterminator can be an option. Look for a company that is dedicated to using products with the lowest possible level of toxicity. Inform them if you have any children, pets, or other issues, such as a respiratory health condition that may affect you, and ask them to keep an eye out for you.

Some companies that specialise in pest control include the words “green,” “organic,” or “eco-friendly” in their names. Before you employ an exterminator, if you are concerned about the usage of chemicals, you should inquire as to what kinds of substances are generally used in ant treatments.

Conclusion

Ants are a common pest found in houses across the United States and are generally considered to be risk-free. Getting rid of ants can be challenging, but the natural ways that were discussed before can be used to successfully ward them off and even get rid of them entirely over time. There are additional products available for purchase that can be used to kill or discourage these pests.

It is possible to avoid further ant infestations by maintaining a clean home and eliminating any potential entry points or hiding spots for the insects.

If all else fails, hiring a professional exterminator to rid your home of ants is always an option.