Noticing an ant or two in the kitchen may not seem like a big deal, but just a few ants could signify that the colony is moving closer or into your home. Ants are annoying and might invade your pantry and food stores. Here are a few tips to repel ants from your home.
Ways to Rid a Home of Ants
Find the Source of the Infestation
To rid your home of ants, you’ll need to determine where they’re coming from, how they’re getting into your house, and what is attracting them. Ants usually enter a home in search of food. They will eat some and then carry food back to the colony, leaving a scent trail for other ants to follow. If you can find the colony’s location, you will be able to eliminate the insects.
Clean Your Home to Repel Ants
Ants are attracted to sources of food and water. If you keep the house clean, they won’t find food. The kitchen is usually the place most homeowners notice ants. Make a habit of cleaning spills and crumbs immediately. Always wipe the stovetop and do the dishes after preparing a meal. Check your pantry for containers of food products that allow ants easy access. Store sugar and honey in airtight containers.
Get your family on board to help keep your home ant-free. Teach children to clean up spilled juice and snacks immediately. After dinner, have everyone pitch in to clean the kitchen by wiping countertops, washing dishes, and sweeping the floor.
Remove Scent Trails
Ants create a scent trail for other ants to follow. When you see these insects around your home, pay attention to their path. Use products to clean the trail so other ants cannot follow. Make a paste from baking soda and water and use it to scrub the path, or fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water and wipe away the scent. Ants dislike the smell of vinegar, so you’ll be erasing the trail and repelling ants simultaneously.
Use Baits
Ant baits are available at most home improvement stores. Bait is usually a small plastic housing that contains an edible ingredient to attract ants. The ants eat the bait and carry some of it back to their colony, killing ants there. Most baits are safe to use in a home with children and pets.
Scents to Repel Ants from a Home
When you notice ants, follow the trail to see where they enter the house. Treat this area with ingredients or products that repel ants. A 50% vinegar and water mixture is an effective solution to spray in the space. You can also use cinnamon, mint, or pepper to keep the insects from using that entrance into your home. Some ants are repelled by citrus, so leftover orange or lemon peels around holes, gaps, and cracks will help keep ants away.
If these insects are a nuisance in your home, use the above tips to rid your home of ants. In case of a bad infestation, call a pest control expert. They will be able to identify the type of ants and offer solutions to eliminate the problem.
R. Sorensen Construction and Inspections provides inspection services to home buyers and sellers in Eastern Oregon. Contact us to schedule an appointment.