Ants are common everywhere. But aren’t they a little annoying? Not only do they invade your private space, but they can also damage your home. Serious infestation can take expensive amends, putting a significant strain on your finances. To prevent all that trouble, you have to take some proactive measures, ideally with professional guidance.
Here are some best methods to keep pesky ants out of your home. All these methods include natural ingredients, which are available right in your kitchen. But, first things first, let’s understand why ants even enter your home.
What Attracts Ants?
Ants, much like any other pests, enter homes in search of food and water. Some common attractions include food sources, moist areas, and wall cracks. Apart from these reasons, ants may also sometimes enter your home to expand their colonies.
So, if you can avoid raising these issues in your home, you can solve the problem. But is it always possible to do that? Questionable. Hence, it’s useful to know a few proven tips and tricks to eliminate them when the issue is small.
Best Tips to Keep Ants Out of Your Home:
1. Maintain High Standards of Cleanliness
Keep your home clean. Clean up spills immediately, wash dishes promptly, store food properly, and sweep dust regularly. This routine will be your first line of defence against ants and other pests.
2. Seal Entry Points
Cracks in the walls, gaps around windows, and poorly sealed doors serve as entry points for ants. So, when you notice these, take prompt action and block them.
- Start by inspecting your home
- Use silicone caulk to seal gaps and crevices in walls and around plumbing
- Install weather stripping to close gaps under doors
- Repair door screens if they’re not in good condition
By taking these small steps when the problem is just starting, you can avoid a big infestation later on.
3. Use Natural Ant Repellents
Natural remedies offer a gentle yet powerful defence against pesky ants. Here are some tried-and-true solutions:
- Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water and wipe down countertops and entry points.
- Lemon Juice: The acidic nature of lemon disrupts ant trails.
- Cinnamon and Cloves: Sprinkle cinnamon or place whole cloves near entry points.
- Peppermint Oil: Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them where ants are seen.
- Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around entryways and infested areas.
4. Set Up Ant Baits & Traps
If you suspect an infestation already, consider setting up ant baits and traps. This will eliminate or reduce the issue effectively. The baits can be:
- Borax and Sugar Bait: Blend borax with sugar and scatter it strategically. Ants will transport this bait back to their colony, tackling the source of the problem.
- Sticky Traps: These baits will help you capture and monitor the ant activity in your home. Based on the results, you can think of your next steps.
- Commercial Ant Baits: These pre-packaged baits attract ants and poison their colony over time, tackling the issue effectively.
5. Eliminate Moisture Sources
Ants need water to survive. If your home has excess moisture, it will inevitably attract all kinds of pests, including ants. So, make sure to fix your leaky pipes, use a dehumidifier, dry your bathroom area, and empty pet water bowls at night.
6. Maintain Outdoor Areas
Ants are hardcore architects, and they craft colonies outdoors before sneaking inside. To deter this invasion, you need to keep your yard spick and span. A tidy landscape is your ultimate defence against these tiny trespassers.
For example:
- Keep tree branches and shrubs, if any, away from your home’s exterior.
- Get rid of wood piles, clutter, and leaves.
- Use ant repellents like diatomaceous earth or citrus peels around your home’s perimeter.
- Use chalk, talcum powder, or essential oils around your doorways and windowsills.
7. Keep Trash Sealed and Dispose Properly
An often-ignored culprit of ant invasions is mishandled rubbish. Ants find irresistible food scraps, sticky residues, and other eatable debris lurking in bins. Here’s how to keep your trash from becoming an ant banquet:
- Use Sealed Trash Bins: Opt for garbage bins with tight-fitting lids to prevent ants from accessing food waste.
- Take Out Trash Regularly: Avoid letting garbage accumulate indoors for too long, as the scent can attract ants from outside.
- Clean Trash Cans Weekly: Clean and sanitise containers to eliminate food remnants and scents that attract ants.
- Double-Bag Food Waste: If you can, seal food waste in an extra bag before tossing it out. This simple step helps keep unpleasant odours at bay and prevents pesky leaks.
8. Hire Professional Pest Controllers
If the invasion is intense, consider contacting an experienced ant pest control provider. They can present powerful answers and a step-by-step procedure. It includes:
- Inspection: Experts will locate nests and assess the severity of the infestation.
- Targeted Treatment: Pest control professionals use specialized baits, insecticides, or barrier sprays.
- Ongoing Prevention Plans: Many services offer maintenance plans to prevent future infestations.
Final Takeaway:
While most ants can be harmless, they can still bother you and your children. So, people always want to keep them at bay but lack ideas. If you’re struggling with the same, the above remedies will definitely help. But remember to seek help if the infestation is intense. Oz Pest is always here to lend a helping hand. We deal with various kinds of pests, from ants to cockroaches to spiders.
