Get Rid of Ants Naturally: Non-Toxic Methods for Eliminating Ants
Identify the type of ant you’re dealing with
Many types of ants can invade your home, but common black ants, carpenter ants, sugar ants, and Pharaoh’s ants are the most common.
Carpenter ants are black or red and about 1/4 inch long. They nest in wood and can cause serious damage to your home.
Sugar ants are tiny and yellow or black, and they live off of sweet things like sugar and honey.
Pharaoh ants are red or light brown and less than a millimeter long. They often nest in electrical equipment.
To get rid of these pests, you’ll need to identify which type of ant you’re dealing with and find the best removal method.
Use a natural or homemade remedy.
You can use several natural methods to deter ants. One is to mix water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the mixture around the entrances to your home.
You can use the following items to deter ants:
Lemons: Lemons are a great natural way to get rid of ants. Cut a lemon in half and place it near where you’ve seen ants. The citrus smell will deter them. You can also use lemon juice to discourage ants.
Peppermint: Ants don’t like the smell of peppermint, so this is another excellent way to keep them away. You can plant peppermint around your home, put a few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball, and place it near where you’ve seen ants. Do not use peppermint oil if you have kids.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is another spice that ants don’t like. Sprinkle some around areas where you’ve seen ants, or put a few drops of cinnamon oil on a cotton ball and place it near where you’ve seen ants.
Coffee grounds: Spread used coffee grounds around areas where you’ve seen ants. The grounds may deter them, and they’ll stay away.
Chalk: Chalk is another excellent way to deter ants. Draw a line with chalk around areas where you’ve seen ants. I’ve seen this work very well!
Oranges: Oranges also work well to deter ants. Cut an orange in half and place it near where you’ve seen ants. The citrus smell will prevent them, and so will an orange essential oil.
Lemongrass: Lemongrass is another great way to keep ants away. You can plant lemongrass around your home, put a few drops of lemongrass oil on a cotton ball, and place it near where you’ve seen ants.
Thyme: Thyme is another herb that ants don’t like. Sprinkle some around areas where you’ve seen ants, or put a few drops of thyme oil on a cotton ball and place it near where you’ve seen ants.
Banana peels: Spread used banana peels around areas where you’ve seen ants. The peels will deter them, and they’ll stay away. I’ve seen this work, but I have also seen it fail!
Salt: Salt is another great way to deter ants. Sprinkle some salt around areas where you’ve seen ants. They don’t like to cross over the line.
Citronella candles: Citronella candles are great for deterring ants. Light the candles and place them around areas where you’ve seen ants. The smell of citronella will help prevent ants.
Another method to eliminate ants without killing them is setting out small honey or sugar water dishes. The ants will be attracted to the sweetness and return it to their nest.
Once they have done this, you can spray the entrances to their nest with vinegar and water. This will deter them from returning and will help disperse their nest.
These are just a few of the many options available. Experiment to see which one works best for you and your particular situation.
Use commercial products if necessary.
Various commercial products on the market can help get rid of ants. These products typically contain chemicals that kill ants, so reading the label and following the instructions is essential.
If you’re using a commercial product for the first time, it’s a good idea to test it in a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it won’t damage your home.
Seal up any entry points
If you’re having a problem with ants, one of the best things you can do is seal up any entry points. This will keep them from being able to get into your home in the first place.
You can do this by caulking cracks and gaps around doors and windows. You can also use weather stripping to seal up gaps around doors.
If ants come in through holes in the walls, you can use putty or caulk to seal up those holes.
Sealing up entry points is a great way to keep ants from entering your home. But it’s not the only thing you can do.
Keep your house clean and free of food scraps.
A clean house is less appealing to ants, so sweep and mop regularly. Make sure to clean up any food scraps, as ants are attracted to food.
If you have pets, clean up their food and water dishes. For example, cat food will attract ants, and so will dog food.
Ants are attracted to dirty and cluttered areas, so a clean house is the best way to deter them. Sweep and mop your floors regularly, and vacuum carpets to remove food crumbs or debris. In the kitchen, wash dishes promptly and wipe down surfaces after cooking.
Store food in sealed containers to avoid attracting ants. Outside, keep trash cans clean and empty them regularly.
By taking these simple steps, you can make your home less inviting to ants.
Let’s Look at Prevention
Before you reach for the pesticide spray, let’s explore more humane ways to say goodbye to those uninvited guests.
First things first, let’s figure out where they’re coming from. Are they marching in from a crack in the wall? Or maybe they’re sneaking in through a hole in the window screen. Once you’ve identified the point of entry, you can seal it with caulk or mesh to prevent future invasions.
Next, it’s time to clean up. Ants are attracted to food, so ensure you clean counters, sweep floors, and wash dishes regularly. Also, remember that even a tiny crumb can be a feast for ants, so don’t overlook hidden spots like the inside of your toaster or the corners of your cabinets.
Now, let’s set some traps. Ants can’t resist the sweet smell of honey or syrup, so you can make your trap by mixing equal parts of honey and water and putting it in a jar with a few holes poked in the lid. The ants will climb in for a taste but won’t be able to climb back out. You can also try using borax, a natural ant killer, mixed with sugar.
Finally, you can use natural repellents like peppermint oil, cinnamon, or citrus. These scents are unpleasant to ants and will help keep them away.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a way to eliminate ants that do not involve killing them, you have come to the right place. We have compiled a list of methods to help you understand how to eliminate ants without killing them.
So whether you are trying to keep your home ant-free or want to know how to dispatch these intruders when they show up, I hope the tips on this page have helped.
After spending the entire night lying awake in a cockroach-infested hotel, I have driven myself to build knowledge on all things pest control. Since then, I've tested pest control techniques to see what works and what doesn't. Now, here I am giving you all the info I have learned!
