These effective methods help deter ants from your property.
We spoke to a couple of ant experts to get some insight on eradicating ant infestations.
Lucky for us, only about 30 species are found around our homes," says entomologist Josh Matta.
Olivia Barr
Two of the most commonly seen ants inside a home are odorous house ants and carpenter ants.
You’ll see them marching in a line on your kitchen counters or bathroom wall.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants feed on damp wood and can cause significant damage.
You may see a small swarm near an outside wall or small holes in baseboards or windowsills.
They are often mistaken for termites.
“Ants andtermitesare easy to distinguish,” Matta says.
Once you discover an ant infestation, here’s how to get rid of ants and prevent reinfestation.
Vacuum away ants that you see indoors and empty the canister outside.
Use Citrus
Ants also do not like the smell of citrus.
Any citrus fruit will dooranges, grapefruits, limes, or lemons.
Then, use that powder to create a barrier where ants enter.
Apply Essential Oils
Essential oils are another option to deter ants.
Tea tree oil, peppermint, or citrus oils are all repellent to ants.
As a bonus, not only will you drive the ants away, but yourhome will smell nice.
Start with tamper-resistant ant bait traps that can be placed near problem areas.
When the queen dies, the colony dies.
Professor Michael Potter suggests looking for baits that contain fipronil, imidacloprid, indoxacarb, thiamethoxam, or dinotefuran.
Many types of troublesome outdoor ant nests can be eliminated by simply removing their sources of water and food.
Small colonies can be eradicated by pouring soapy water on the mound.
When using anychemical agents, read the label and follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully.
How to Prevent Indoor and Outdoor Ant Infestations
The best ant control is prevention.
Because ants need water and food to survive, start by cleaning up in and around your home.
