You might've heard the saying, "If you spot one, there are probably many more." This is true of a lot of household pests - including ants. Especially in summer, if you spot one ant in the house, there's a good chance there are a whole bunch more.
When you see ants, you need to get rid of them. They can spread germs and also do damage to your home and its interior structures. That's where DIY ant repellants and killers come in. If you use a DIY ant killer at the first sign of ants in your home, you can get the infestation under control before it becomes so significant that you need to call an exterminator.
DIY Ant Killer and Deterrent Spray
It isn't necessary to put poison in your home to get rid of ants. This pet- and child-safe ant repellant can kill ants and keep them away without the use of any insecticides.
Materials
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 4-6 cups of water
- 2 tablespoons of dish soap
- Funnel
- Spray bottle
Instructions
- Combine the baking soda and vinegar in a bowl.
- Allow them to bubble.
- Add the dish soap and mix.
- Add the mixture to a spray bottle.
- Fill with water.
- Spray down ants, ant trails, cracks, and any areas they've touched.
- Wipe away after a few minutes.
- Repeat as needed every time you see new ants.
- Store under the sink.
DIY Ant Trap
DIY spray is pretty effective for killing ants, but you might be looking for a more set-and-forget ant trap. This simple sugar and baking soda trap will kill ants, but it's not harmful to pets or kiddos.
Materials
- 1 shallow bowl
- ¼ cup of baking soda
- ¼ cup of powdered sugar
Instructions
- Place baking soda and powdered sugar in the bowl.
- Mix the two dry ingredients together.
- Set the bowl in a known ant trail.
- Wait for them to take it back to the colony, which will kill all the ants.
Simple Homemade Ant Repellant Methods
Once you've got the ants out, you don't want them to come back. To keep them away, take a few preventative measures by adding some known ant repellants.
- Sprinkle pepper in known ant areas and behind appliances.
- Wipe down counters and other areas with lemons.
- Bag dried lemon rinds and put them in cupboards.
- Use neem oil around plants.
- Wipe ant trails and areas with cinnamon leaf oil.
- Clean with white vinegar.
- Remove ant pheromone trails with rubbing alcohol and dish soap.
How to Prevent Ants
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of ants...or something like that. Prevention is key to avoiding issues in the future.
- Clean up spills and crumbs immediately.
- Change fruit regularly.
- Clean any pet food areas.
- Cover garbage and keep it closed.
- Seal any cracks that could give ants access to your home.
- Store food in airtight containers.
When to Call a Professional
If, after all your best efforts, you've still got ants, it might be time to call an exterminator. You should also get professional help for carpenter ants, which can damage your home quickly.
Simple and Easy DIY Methods for Getting Rid of Ants
Ants have their purpose in life, but it has nothing to do with your kitchen. Thankfully, you don't need to run to the store if you spot an infestation. Knock them out of your home now with a few pesticide-free methods that are safe for your furry companions.
