11 Natural Ways To Stop Ants From Invading Your Latrobe Area Home
Ants are like the dandelions of the pest world; where there is one, you can bet there are more. Seeing them march across your kitchen floor is not only frustrating but trying to find out where they are coming from can be even worse. Ants are attracted to anything inside your Latrobe area home that is sugary or smells sweet. Ants are also attracted to bread and any pet food. Containers not properly sealed or crumbs that make it to your floor by accident can attract these fascinating, but irritating, tiny creatures.
While there are tons of pesticides on the market that will target and kill ants, there are also more safe and economically effective ways to control ants. In this article, we talk about a few ways you can eliminate the problem of ants using household products you have right at home.
Glass Cleaner and Liquid Detergent
Many people swear that combining glass cleaner and liquid detergent or dish soap can help deter ants from invading your home. Supposedly the mixture removes the scented pheromones the ants leave behind when they walk, which tells the other ants where the food source is. Simply take your mix and spray on areas where ants seem to thrive.
Black Pepper
Ants typically find the smell of pepper irritating. So, sprinkle pepper around your baseboards and behind appliances, or anywhere ants generally are located, and the scent will keep them away.
Garlic
Ants also hate the smell of garlic. If you don’t mind the smell, then place a few garlic cloves around your Latrobe area business or home. They will not only fend off ants but any vampires seeking their way in as well.
Herbs and Spices Planter
If the thought of having pepper or garlic cloves around your house does not sound appealing, try an herb planter. Plant herbs such as black pepper, garlic, or mint in a container box and place it in your window. Now you can stop the ants before they sneak in.
Cinnamon
Most of us like the smell of cinnamon, but ants hate it. Add 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon to water. Soak a cotton ball in it and wipe it on the area where you’ve spotted the ants.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a natural insect repellent that is not only effective at deterring ants but can repel mosquitoes as well. Mix 10 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil with two cups of water. Spray the mixture around your baseboards and windows. Let it dry. But be sure to keep it out of reach of pets or children as they can become ill if exposed. In case you’re wondering, you can find peppermint oil at your local grocery store.
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
Oil extracted from the lemon eucalyptus tree is another natural insect repellent. It contains citronella, the ingredient used in candles to repel mosquitoes. To use:
- Saturate cotton balls and place them in areas where ants have been seen.
- Replace the cotton balls weekly.
- Never ingest and like the peppermint, keep the cotton balls away from children and pets.
Coffee Grounds
Are you a coffee drinker? You’re in luck. Don’t throw away those used coffee grounds. Ants are extremely susceptible to caffeine. In addition, this safe material confuses the worker ants because they lose their scent trails. Leave coffee grounds where the ants are, and they will carry them home and eat them. This method takes a little longer but you’ll notice a decrease in the ants’ population after a while.
White Vinegar
The next time you see ants marching across your Latrobe area home, soak them up with a solution of 50% water and 50% vinegar. White vinegar kills and repels them. If you have an ant problem, try using diluted vinegar to clean hard surfaces, including floors and counter tops, throughout your home.
Cornstarch
If you happen upon a large number of ants, which can occur if food has been left unopened or sitting out a long time, you can use cornstarch to smother them. Just take cornstarch and pour it over top of them. The result might get kind of messy, so be sure to have your vacuum on hand. Be sure to dispose of the sealed vacuum bag immediately.
Borax
Not to be confused with boric acid, Borax mixed with sugar and warm water makes a great ant repellent. Mix the following:
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoon of Borax
- 1 1/2 cups of water
Mix until it turns into a thick paste. Apply the paste near the place you discovered ants. The ants will be attracted by the smell of the sugar and will take the concoction back to the queen, poisoning the entire colony. Just be sure to keep Borax away from children and pets.
Prevent Ants in the First Place With Perimeter Pest Control From LawnRx
Before running off to the hardware or garden store for store-bought pesticides, try one of these natural homemade repellents. Not only are they much safer for your family and pets, but they are less costly. For a larger ant problem you can’t control, or to prevent these little problem makers from becoming an issue in the first place, call on the lawn care technicians in Latrobe here at LawnRx.
We offer a highly effective perimeter pest control program that will keep ants and other pesky critters outside of your home where they belong. We will inspect your home for all possible entry points and spray an invisible barrier of pest control around the foundation of your home. Contact us today to find out more. You can contact us here or reach us by phone at 724-585-8952.
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