Ants, aren't they such a pain? When you see one, there are sure to be more. And sometimes, no matter what you do, you can't seem to get rid of them. Most ants aren't harmful, at least not the kind we have here in the North Haven, Connecticut area, but they are a nuisance. Ants are attracted to anything inside your home or business that smells sweet. Containers not adequately sealed or crumbs left behind by the kids can attract these tiny yet fascinating creatures.
When you see a handful of these pests, your first instinct may be to run to the home goods store and pick up a bottle of pesticides. But before you do so, read the information your friends at Naturally Green Lawn Care have put together for you below. In addition, there are tons of less costly and more effective ways to combat your ant problem using household products you have in your own home.
Coffee Grounds
Like to have that morning cup of Joe? Don't throw away your used coffee grounds just yet. Leave those leftover coffee grounds where you last saw a few ants. The ants will carry them home and eat them. It will confuse the worker ants causing them to lose their scent trails. This is not exactly the fastest method of eliminating, ants but you will notice a decrease in the ant's population over time.
Cornstarch
This method is kind of messy, so be sure to pull out your broom or vacuum beforehand. Cornstarch can be used to kill adult ants. Simply mix one tablespoon of sugar, 15ml water, and two tablespoons of cornstarch, then spread it near their trail. The adult ants will be unable to digest it, causing them to die.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is no longer just for cleaning! The next time you see ants marching across your North Haven area home or business, soak them up with a solution of 50% water and 50% white vinegar. You can also use the white vinegar to clean hard surfaces that may have food crumbs left behind to help prevent these little buggers from annoying you in the first place.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Oil extracted from the lemon eucalyptus tree is another natural insect repellent. This is because it contains citronella, the ingredient used in candles to repel mosquitoes. To use:
- Saturate cotton balls and place them in areas where ants have been seen.
- Replace the cotton balls weekly.
- Never ingest. Keep the cotton balls away from kids or pets.
Glass Cleaner and Liquid Detergent
Ants communicate using pheromones they deposit behind when walking. They use these pheromones to let other ants know where a food trail begins and ends. The combined scent of glass cleaner and liquid dish detergent removes this scent confusing the other ants. To use, simply combine a mix of glass cleaner and dish soap and spray on areas where ants seem to thrive.
Black Pepper
There are a few scents that ants find repelling. One of those is black pepper. Take your black pepper and sprinkle it around your baseboards and behind appliances, or anywhere ants are typically found, and they will stay away.
Garlic
Ants also hate the smell of garlic. If you don’t mind the scent, then place a few garlic cloves around your North Haven area business or home.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is repulsive to ants. Add 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon to water. Soak it in a cotton ball and wipe it on the area where you've spotted them.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint has been used as a natural insect repellent since the beginning of time. Grab some peppermint essential oil and mix ten to 20 drops of it with two cups of water. Spray the mixture around your baseboards and windows and allow it to dry. Be sure to keep it out of reach of your dogs and cats, as they can become ill if exposed to peppermint.
Herbs and Spices Planter
If the thought of putting black pepper, garlic cloves, or other odd scents around your home seems unappealing, use an herb planter. You can place plants such as black pepper, garlic, or mint in a container box and place it in your window. This will help stop ants before they sneak into your house.
Borax
Not to be confused with boric acid, Borax mixed with sugar and warm water makes a great ant repellent. Mix the following:
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoon of Borax
- 1 1/2 cups of water
Mix until it turns into a thick paste. Apply the paste near the place you discovered ants. The ants will be attracted by the smell of the sugar and will take the concoction back to the queen, poisoning the entire colony. Just be sure to keep Borax away from children and pests.
Prevent Ants From Invading Your Home With Perimeter Pest Control From Naturally Green Lawn Care
While the above homemade remedies will offer a quick fix that is safer and less costly than store-bought pesticides, the best option is to call in professionals. Allow those who are trained and specialize in this field to help solve your problem. Naturally Green Lawn Care technicians understand pests and are knowledgeable on the best ways to prevent and eliminate them. Our perimeter pest control service is dedicated to ensuring your home or business is a safe place free from unwanted pests such as ants. Contact us by phone at 1-203-230-9212 or fill out our form online.
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