10 Homemade Ways to Stop Ants In Their Tracks
Ants
Got ants? If you own a business or home, you have probably had ants at one time or another. Ants are attracted to the scent of sweets. They love to munch on any food high in sugar, grain, or fat and your business and home are full of both. Never fear. There are ways to combat these annoying insects. First, eliminate the food source, seal all leftovers, and clean up any food trails left by the kids or you. Then, try out one of these ten economical, environmentally safe homemade ant remedies. Most of these involve removing the scent trails that ants use to communicate with each other. We are sure that if you follow one of our techniques below, you will be on your way to ridding your Braselton area business or home of these dreadful creatures.
1. Glass Cleaner and Liquid Detergent
Ants communicate using pheromones they leave behind when walking. The combined scent of glass cleaner and liquid detergent removes their scent trail and confuses the other ants. To use this method, combine a mix of glass cleaner and dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray on areas where ants have been seen or on windowsills and doors in your business or home.
2. Coffee Grinds
Are you a coffee drinker? You’re in luck. Just when you thought there was no other use for those used coffee grinds, we are here to tell you that is not true. You can take those used coffee grinds and place them where you last saw a group of ants. The ants will carry them home, eat and digest them. The caffeine confuses the worker ants who lose their scent trails. Over time, you will notice a decrease in your ant population as they desperately try to find another source of food.
3. Cucumber and Citrus Peels
Citrus deters not just ants but mosquitoes as well. Peel a cucumber or orange and leave the peel in the area of their known activity. The peels are toxic to the types of fungi that ants feed on, so they will do their best to stay far away. Citrus is not only a deterrent for ants but mosquitoes as well.
4. Cinnamon
As much as they love our food, there are many scents that ants find repulsive, such as cinnamon. To use this technique, all you need is 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or cinnamon essential oil. Add this to water. Soak a few cotton balls in the mix. Wipe it on the area you last saw ants. Chances are they will not return to this spot.
5. Black Pepper
Another scent ants hate is black pepper. Sprinkle some black pepper around your windows, doors, under and behind appliances, and anywhere food is made.
6. Peppermint
Peppermint is a natural insect repellent, and many insects, including ants, hate the smell. You can plant mint around your home or use the essential oil of peppermint. Mix 10 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil with two cups of water. Spray the mixture around your baseboards and windows and allow it to dry. It won’t hurt the ants, but it will help to keep them away.
7. Vinegar
I don’t know too many people that like the smell of vinegar, let alone the ant population. Vinegar, however, also removes the scent trails that ants communicate with to find food. See a pattern here? Wipe down your counter, cupboards, baseboards, windowsills, and anywhere you have spotted these fast-moving critters with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. Repeat the process throughout the day. Don’t worry if you feel like you are wasting time. Vinegar is a great house cleaner, and at least the areas you wipe will be spotless.
8. Chalk
Build a wall! Stop ants from crossing into your home by drawing a line of chalk. The chalk will act as a barrier preventing the ants from crossing over. Unfortunately, you will have to refresh your chalk line periodically so that it continues to work.
9. Lemon of Eucalyptus Oil
Oil extracted from the eucalyptus tree contains citronella, which is used in candles, and other products made to repel mosquitoes. Take the lemon of eucalyptus oil and saturate cotton balls with it. Place the cotton balls in areas where ants have been seen. We’re not exactly sure how, but people say this works. You will need to replace the cotton balls weekly and never ingest or allow children or pets to swallow as it can be harmful.
10. Borax
So far, all of the remedies on our list have been meant to deter the ants, not kill them. The last item on our list will disrupt the ant’s digestive system resulting in death. To do this, you will need to mix the following:
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoon of Borax
- 1 1/2 cups of water
Mix it until it turns into a thick paste. Apply the mixture where the ants will find it. Just be sure to keep this out of the reach of children and pets because it is toxic.
Get Professional Ant Treatments From Progressive Pest Control
While all of the above remedies offer a quick, easy and safe way to fix your ant problem, our best recommendation is to call in professionals. Progressive Pest Control sends bugs packing. With over 21 years of offering pest control services in Braselton, Georgia, we know how to get the job done. Our ant treatments will protect your home from these pesky bugs. All you have to do is request the service. Visit our website to learn more or request a quote. You can also give us a call at (706) 654-2730.
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