10 Best Ways to Deal with Ants in Your Home
Once you uncover the presence of pests in your home, it is an issue that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Some of the most common pests are mice, cockroaches, and ants. In this article, we are sharing the best ways to deal with an ant infestation in your home.
Which ants are you dealing with?
There are more than 1000 different ant species in Australia only. Whereas you might not need to know most of them, you should know about a few species that can bite, so it is best if you check the species before deciding on how to deal with them. Big, black ants could easily be Carpenter ants that do not bite but can damage your wooden structure immensely.
Most black and almost transparent ants are not dangerous, but they are a boring pest once in your house. Of the colours you should be aware of, the light brown one is the most significant alarm. Fire ants and Bull ants are the species that will bite and might even kill sensitive people, so call the professionals immediately! Another stingy ant species are Green ants, which are green coloured, but although painful, their bite is not dangerous.
Diatomaceous earth – silicon dioxide
Diatomaceous earth or silicon dioxide is silica dust from the diatoms fossils, the ancient aquatic organisms. It is not poisonous for people or pets. Still, it can cause respiratory issues if you or your pet continually breathe it in. This is why it is recommended to do a thorough follow-up cleaning after sprinkling the powder on the spots where you see the most ants avoid getting irritation from diatomaceous earth.
Borax – sodium borate
Although one might confuse borax with boric acid, it is not the same substance. Borax is commonly used for cleaning, especially as a laundry detergent booster. It is a powdery, white substance that can cause irritation and even severe consequences if not handled carefully. Please keep it away from children and pets, and always use gloves while dissolving it in sugary water. Once ants ingest it, they will suffocate. After use, dispose of the rags and cotton balls saturated with sugary borax water and thoroughly clean the area.
Baking soda – sodium bicarbonate
Baking soda is also white, powdery substance, harmless for people and pets. Sprinkle it over the floors, and use it in the corners and other places where the ants could come from. Vacuum thoroughly after a couple of days.
Boric acid
Yet another white powder, boric acid, is a cleaning solution that can be hazardous for people and pets. Similarly, as with the borax, dilute it in sugary water and strategically place saturated cotton balls, so the ants get poisoned. Leave it for a few days and do not get children or pets near it.
Bait traps
Affordable, commercial solutions for ant infestation are ant bait traps. They are sold as little pods with small entrances, where the middle is filled with poison that attracts ants with the smell. Once the ants go through the pod and take the poison back to the colony, everything dies once the poison gets ingested.
Pest control service
If you recognize that the pest that infested your home are some of the aggressive ant species that bite, call the professionals and do not try to deal with it on your own. The pest control services specialize in locating ant nests and dealing with them efficiently and safely in the case of dangerous species infestations. They can also help you with prevention procedures and property maintenance so that a similar situation doesn’t repeat.
Detergents and white vinegar
Another non-toxic, children and pet-safe solution is to use the detergent in liquid form or diluted white vinegar. The ants rely on their smell and pheromones as their eyesight is poor, so if you are to deal with the source of their interest and erase their trails, they will likely go away. However, this solution requires regular and thorough floor cleaning, so it might not work for every situation.
Essential oils
There are many uses for essential oils around the house. Some of the information you will find easily is the help essential oils provide as insect repellents. Ants are also insects repelled by essential oils as they clog their breathing tubes and cover their pheromones when applied to the surfaces ants use. Some of the most popular, non-toxic, and children-safe options include lavender, peppermint, thyme, neem, eucalyptus, tea tree, and citrus oils.
Salt, pepper, cinnamon, or coffee
You don’t necessarily need to run to the store if you don’t have any of the mentioned products. There are products people all have in their households that are excellent ant repellents. When you notice an ant, follow where he came from and sprinkle salt, pepper, cinnamon, or coffee grounds. Then clear the floors with dish detergent thoroughly to erase their tracks. If the nest isn’t formed, this action will most likely do the trick. Vacuum thoroughly after a few days, especially if you have pets.
After you’ve experienced the ant infestation once, whether you managed to deal with it on your own or the infestation required professional pest control services, try to get to the root of the issue: why did ants come in the first place? Keep your house clean, don’t let the food particles rot on the floor. Eliminate the entrances and small holes in your floors, windows, and doors. Additionally, if you have plants and do gardening, do the maintenance regularly so that you are aware of the state of your plants. Lastly, consider investing in ant barriers to keep your mind off of this danger. Remember that with the prevention, there is no dealing with the consequences.