How To Get Rid Of Ants in The Kitchen And Other Places Inside The House? | Getting Rid of Ant Invasion
There are undoubtedly many more ants close to where one is seen. When you’re picnicking in the vast outdoors, this knowledge may not worry you as much, but if you have an ant infestation in your home, you’ll want to get rid of it as soon as possible.
Are Ants Dangerous to Humans?
The National Wildlife Federation estimates over 12,000 different types of ants on the earth. The bulk of these ants are entirely harmless to humans.
However, ants can carry bacteria, making them potential illness or infection spreaders. For example, in 2019, there was very little animal research published. According to Trusted Source, Monomorium ants can carry pathogenic bacteria that are dangerous to people. According to a credible source, an older study published in 2005, the pharaoh ant, which is a type of Monomorium ant, may cause bronchial asthma and respiratory allergies.
Natural Ways to get Rid of Ants and Repel
There are several ways to get rid of ants and their nests on your property. Professional exterminators may be required; several natural alternatives can cure the problem without introducing chemicals or poisons into your house.
Here are some of the most potent natural ant killers and repellents you may find at home or a store.
Diatomaceous (Silicon Dioxide)
Diatomaceous earth is a form of silica created from the fossilized remains of diatoms, tiny aquatic creatures (a type of plankton).
Diatomaceous earth isn’t harmful to your health. On the contrary, it kills ants and other insects by absorbing the oils in their bones, causing them to dry out. However, because diatomaceous earth is an irritant, avoid inhaling it or putting it on your skin.
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is available for purchase online. Follow the box directions to use it to kill ants, or sprinkle the powder anywhere you notice ants.
Liquid detergent and glass cleaner
When ants wander, they leave a fragrant pheromone trail that works as a map. This procedure will eliminate the ant’s odor and prevent them from returning to your home.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Combine glass cleaning spray with liquid detergent (dish soap) in a clean spray bottle.
- Spray the solution in areas where ants appear to enter or congregate.
- Wipe clean the area after spraying, leaving a faint residue.
- Repeat the previous steps as needed.
If you don’t have any glass cleaner on hand, soapy water (i.e., hand soap, dish detergent) will likely erase the fragrance of the ant pheromones.
Black or Red Pepper
Ants seem to dislike the fragrance of black or red (cayenne) pepper. Thus it’s a natural deterrent. Sprinkle pepper along baseboards and behind appliances to employ this strategy. According to anecdotal evidence, this is a safe technique to help keep ants at bay.
Peppermint Leaves
Peppermint is a natural insect repellent that can help repel ants and insects like mosquitoes.
Follow these instructions to utilize peppermint essential oil as an ant repellent:
In a clean plastic spray bottle, combine 10 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil with 2 cups of water. Spray the mixture around your home’s baseboards and windows. Allow time for the mixture to dry before continuing.
Like most essential oils, Peppermint oil should be kept out of reach of pets, particularly cats, which can become quite ill if exposed. Peppermint essential oil can be found at your local grocery store or health food store.
Tea tree essential oil
Tea tree oil, like peppermint oil, can be an efficient ant repellent. Complete the following steps to use this method:
In a clean plastic spray container, combine 5 to 10 drops of tea tree essential oil with 2 cups of water. Spray the mixture in areas of the house where ants are common. Alternatively, soak cotton balls in the mix and scatter them over your home. If the aroma is too overpowering, try combining tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and water. Like most essential oils, Tea tree oil should be kept out of reach of dogs. Tea tree oil can be found in your local grocery shop, health food store, or online.
Eucalyptus Lemon Oil
Another natural bug repellant is oil produced from the lemon eucalyptus tree. It contains citronella, which repels mosquitoes and other flying insects in candles. It may also be effective for repelling ants, according to anecdotal evidence.
Complete the following steps to put it to use:
Using undiluted lemon eucalyptus essential oil, saturate cotton balls. Place the cotton balls in parts of the house where you frequently observe ants. Weekly, replace the cotton balls with new, saturated cotton balls. Lemon eucalyptus oil should not be consumed. It should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
Lemon eucalyptus oil is most likely available at your local health food store. It’s also accessible over the internet.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil (OLE)
The oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) and lemon eucalyptus essential oil is not the same thing, despite their similar names. OLE / Lemon Eucalyptus Oil comes from the gum eucalyptus tree, which is native to Australia. It contains the insect repellent p-Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD).
PMD is classified as a safe biopesticide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). OLE is available in your local hardware and gardening store and online.
Vinegar (White)
White vinegar is a low-cost and effective way to kill and repel ants readily available in stores. It can also be used as a natural cleaner.
Clean any hard surfaces where ants are likely to congregate, such as floors and worktops, with a 1-to-1 vinegar/water mixture. If you find ants, spray the mixture on them or wipe them away with a paper towel. Ants can smell the vinegar after it has dried, but most humans can’t for long.
Boiling Water
White vinegar is a low-cost and effective way to kill and repel ants readily available in stores. It can also be used as a natural cleaner.
Use a 1-to-1 vinegar/water mixture to clean any hard surfaces where ants are likely to congregate, such as floors and worktops. If ants are discovered, spray them with the medicine or wipe them away with a paper towel.
After the vinegar has dried, ants can smell it, but most humans can’t for long.
Use Cornstarch to Kill Ants in two separate ways:
The first method entails thoroughly coating the entire colony of ants in cornstarch and then sprinkling water on top. You’ll find many dead ants trapped in cornstarch, which you may clean up.
The second method is to dust the ants with cornstarch and vacuum them up, ensuring that the vacuum bag is disposed of outside as soon as possible.
Bottom Line
Ants are a common household invader in the United States, and they are mainly harmless. Although ants can be challenging to eliminate, the natural methods listed above can be used to repel and destroy them over time. There are also commercial solutions available to assist kill or repelling these pests.
Keeping your home clean and removing potential entry and hiding points for ants will help you avoid future infestations. Professional exterminators can eradicate ants from your home if everything else fails.
How To Get Rid Of Ants in The Kitchen And Other Places Inside The House? | Getting Rid of Ant Invasion
There are undoubtedly many more ants close to where one is seen. When you’re picnicking in the vast outdoors, this knowledge may not worry you as much, but if you have an ant infestation in your home, you’ll want to get rid of it as soon as possible.
Are Ants Dangerous to Humans?
The National Wildlife Federation estimates over 12,000 different types of ants on the earth. The bulk of these ants are entirely harmless to humans.
However, ants can carry bacteria, making them potential illness or infection spreaders. For example, in 2019, there was very little animal research published. According to Trusted Source, Monomorium ants can carry pathogenic bacteria that are dangerous to people. According to a credible source, an older study published in 2005, the pharaoh ant, which is a type of Monomorium ant, may cause bronchial asthma and respiratory allergies.
Natural Ways to get Rid of Ants and Repel
There are several ways to get rid of ants and their nests on your property. Professional exterminators may be required; several natural alternatives can cure the problem without introducing chemicals or poisons into your house.
Here are some of the most potent natural ant killers and repellents you may find at home or a store.
Diatomaceous (Silicon Dioxide)
Diatomaceous earth is a form of silica created from the fossilized remains of diatoms, tiny aquatic creatures (a type of plankton).
Diatomaceous earth isn’t harmful to your health. On the contrary, it kills ants and other insects by absorbing the oils in their bones, causing them to dry out. However, because diatomaceous earth is an irritant, avoid inhaling it or putting it on your skin.
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is available for purchase online. Follow the box directions to use it to kill ants, or sprinkle the powder anywhere you notice ants.
Liquid detergent and glass cleaner
When ants wander, they leave a fragrant pheromone trail that works as a map. This procedure will eliminate the ant’s odor and prevent them from returning to your home.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Combine glass cleaning spray with liquid detergent (dish soap) in a clean spray bottle.
- Spray the solution in areas where ants appear to enter or congregate.
- Wipe clean the area after spraying, leaving a faint residue.
- Repeat the previous steps as needed.
If you don’t have any glass cleaner on hand, soapy water (i.e., hand soap, dish detergent) will likely erase the fragrance of the ant pheromones.
Black or Red Pepper
Ants seem to dislike the fragrance of black or red (cayenne) pepper. Thus it’s a natural deterrent. Sprinkle pepper along baseboards and behind appliances to employ this strategy. According to anecdotal evidence, this is a safe technique to help keep ants at bay.
Peppermint Leaves
Peppermint is a natural insect repellent that can help repel ants and insects like mosquitoes.
Follow these instructions to utilize peppermint essential oil as an ant repellent:
In a clean plastic spray bottle, combine 10 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil with 2 cups of water. Spray the mixture around your home’s baseboards and windows. Allow time for the mixture to dry before continuing.
Like most essential oils, Peppermint oil should be kept out of reach of pets, particularly cats, which can become quite ill if exposed. Peppermint essential oil can be found at your local grocery store or health food store.
Tea tree essential oil
Tea tree oil, like peppermint oil, can be an efficient ant repellent. Complete the following steps to use this method:
In a clean plastic spray container, combine 5 to 10 drops of tea tree essential oil with 2 cups of water. Spray the mixture in areas of the house where ants are common. Alternatively, soak cotton balls in the mix and scatter them over your home. If the aroma is too overpowering, try combining tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and water. Like most essential oils, Tea tree oil should be kept out of reach of dogs. Tea tree oil can be found in your local grocery shop, health food store, or online.
Eucalyptus Lemon Oil
Another natural bug repellant is oil produced from the lemon eucalyptus tree. It contains citronella, which repels mosquitoes and other flying insects in candles. It may also be effective for repelling ants, according to anecdotal evidence.
Complete the following steps to put it to use:
Using undiluted lemon eucalyptus essential oil, saturate cotton balls. Place the cotton balls in parts of the house where you frequently observe ants. Weekly, replace the cotton balls with new, saturated cotton balls. Lemon eucalyptus oil should not be consumed. It should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
Lemon eucalyptus oil is most likely available at your local health food store. It’s also accessible over the internet.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil (OLE)
The oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) and lemon eucalyptus essential oil is not the same thing, despite their similar names. OLE / Lemon Eucalyptus Oil comes from the gum eucalyptus tree, which is native to Australia. It contains the insect repellent p-Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD).
PMD is classified as a safe biopesticide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). OLE is available in your local hardware and gardening store and online.
Vinegar (White)
White vinegar is a low-cost and effective way to kill and repel ants readily available in stores. It can also be used as a natural cleaner.
Clean any hard surfaces where ants are likely to congregate, such as floors and worktops, with a 1-to-1 vinegar/water mixture. If you find ants, spray the mixture on them or wipe them away with a paper towel. Ants can smell the vinegar after it has dried, but most humans can’t for long.
Boiling Water
White vinegar is a low-cost and effective way to kill and repel ants readily available in stores. It can also be used as a natural cleaner.
Use a 1-to-1 vinegar/water mixture to clean any hard surfaces where ants are likely to congregate, such as floors and worktops. If ants are discovered, spray them with the medicine or wipe them away with a paper towel.
After the vinegar has dried, ants can smell it, but most humans can’t for long.
Use Cornstarch to Kill Ants in two separate ways:
The first method entails thoroughly coating the entire colony of ants in cornstarch and then sprinkling water on top. You’ll find many dead ants trapped in cornstarch, which you may clean up.
The second method is to dust the ants with cornstarch and vacuum them up, ensuring that the vacuum bag is disposed of outside as soon as possible.
Bottom Line
Ants are a common household invader in the United States, and they are mainly harmless. Although ants can be challenging to eliminate, the natural methods listed above can be used to repel and destroy them over time. There are also commercial solutions available to assist kill or repelling these pests.
Keeping your home clean and removing potential entry and hiding points for ants will help you avoid future infestations. Professional exterminators can eradicate ants from your home if everything else fails.
