4 Natural and Effective Ant-Extermination Tips

Insects can have a significant impact on your daily life, but it's reassuring to know that there are simple and safe methods to effectively eliminate or deter them from your home.

Administrator

15 July, 2024

Using Peanut Butter

The enticing aroma and texture of peanut butter can be used as bait to lure and eliminate an entire ant colony. All you need is some peanut butter to attract the ants, a small amount of borax and baking soda, a mixing bowl, and a spoon.

A word of caution: Handle borax with care as it can be toxic to pets and humans if ingested in large quantities.

In a mixing bowl, combine a tablespoon of peanut butter with half a teaspoon of borax and a pinch of baking soda. Identify the ant trails and areas of high ant activity, then apply a small amount of the mixture onto pieces of cardboard or containers. Place these bait stations near the ants’ points of entry, along their trails. Ants will be drawn to the peanut butter’s scent and unknowingly carry the toxic bait back to their nest, effectively eliminating the entire colony.

You can also create your own ant traps by using a shallow, smooth-surfaced container, such as a small disposable plate or lid. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter in the center of the lid, which will attract ants to the trap. Then, coat the lid with a layer of mineral oil, causing the insects to stick when they venture onto the lid. Place these traps in areas with high ant activity, such as countertops, window sills, or along their trails. Once you’ve caught enough ants, simply discard the traps into the trash. This cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution provides a practical way to reduce the ant population.

Using Peppermint Essential Oil

A simple spray made from peppermint essential oil can help repel ants from your home for up to a week.

All you need to do is grab a spray bottle, fill it 3/4 full with water, add 12 drops of peppermint essential oil, shake well, and spray in areas where ants are commonly found.

Peppermint is a natural ant repellent. Ants use pheromones to communicate and navigate, and the strong scent of peppermint disrupts their “work routine” and disorients them. Additionally, peppermint contains menthol, which ants detest.

Using Baby Powder

Ants use the pheromone trails they secrete to move around and find food, which is why it can be challenging to eradicate them when they invade tight spaces. However, baby powder is an effective tool to mask the scent they leave behind. When you apply baby powder along their trails, the ants become confused as they can no longer detect their scent.

Moreover, any baby powder that the ants carry back to their nest will impair their ability to follow scent trails.

Using Cinnamon

A small amount of ground cinnamon, a common baking spice, can also keep ants at bay. Cinnamon naturally contains cinnamaldehyde, a chemical that gives the spice its distinctive sweet flavor and pleasant aroma. While appealing to humans, both the flavor and aroma are deadly to ants.

Researchers have found that when ants consume cinnamaldehyde, it essentially short-circuits their nervous system, leading to their demise. Additionally, the strong scent of cinnamon can overwhelm and confuse the ants, making it difficult for them to navigate.

You can use ground cinnamon as a powder or mix cinnamon essential oil with water to create an ant-repelling spray.

Thuy Linh (According to Housedigest)

Frequently asked questions

There are several natural and effective ways to exterminate ants. You can use vinegar, lemon juice, or peppermint oil to repel and kill ants. Boric acid and diatomaceous earth are also effective ant killers. Seal any entry points and deny the ants access to food and water sources to prevent future infestations.

Natural methods are safer for your family and pets, and they are less likely to cause harm to the environment. Chemical pesticides can be toxic and may not always be effective against ants, as they can develop resistance.

Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture directly on the ants and their trails. The vinegar will repel and kill the ants, and it will also help to eliminate their pheromone trails, disrupting their communication and preventing them from finding their way back into your home.

Diatomaceous earth is a natural rock mineral that is ground into a fine powder. It is non-toxic to humans and pets but deadly to insects. The powder sticks to the ants’ bodies and absorbs their oils and fats, causing them to dehydrate and die. It also has sharp edges that can cut through their exoskeletons.

Seal any cracks or crevices around your home that could serve as entry points for ants. Keep your kitchen and dining areas clean and free of food crumbs. Store food in airtight containers and take out the trash regularly. Deny the ants access to water sources by fixing any leaky faucets or pipes.