Dealing with ant infestations is no walk in the park, for sure. As a homeowner, you may run into an ant problem at one point or another. Whether it’s a trail of black ants heading toward your bedroom or large carpenter ants residing on your deck, nobody welcomes pests in their homes. However, a few effective ant pest control methods exist to eliminate these little pests for good.
As a group, ants are natural predators of various pests, like fleas, ticks, caterpillars, and termites. However, there are times when opting for pest control services becomes vital, especially when they crawl into the kitchen searching for food. Additionally, these tiny pests leave a chemical pheromone (ant trails) to guide other ants to and from the food source.
Rice’s Termite and Pest Control specializes in providing high-end residential pest control services to customers in Salisbury and surrounding areas. In this post, we’re sharing our expert tips on eradicating ant infestations once and for all.
Common Ant Species to Look Out for
The National Wildlife Federation reports a staggering 12,000+ ant species across the globe. Therefore, knowing the specific species of ant you’re tackling is crucial in determining the best ant pest control method.
However, the most common ant species in residential settings are pavement ants, big-headed ants, and odorous house ants.
- Carpenter ants: Large, feed and reside in damp wood, elbowed antennae, pinched waist, size ranges between 3.5mm and 13mm.
- Odorous house ants: Dark brown with unevenly shaped thorax, petiole hidden by abdomen, and emits strong scent when crushed.
- Pavement ants: Worker ants are dark brown or black with shiny shells and around 3mm in size.
- Big-headed ants: Easily identified by heads, which are three times the size of their bodies and more aggressive than typical house ants.
- Crazy ants: Quick and unpredictable movement, around 3 millimeters in size, covered in reddish-brown hairs, often found near electronics.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ant Infestation H3
So, you have identified an ant nest in your home. What’s your next step? Here are some effective home remedies to eliminate ants naturally.
Diatomaceous Earth (Silicon Dioxide)
It’s a type of silica dust that consists of pulverized, fossilized remains of diatoms — an ancient aquatic organism.
Silicon dioxide is not toxic. It works by drawing oil from ants’ skeletons, effectively drying them out. So, to kill ants, simply sprinkle the DE powder on the ant trails or at the entry points of ant nests.
It’s an effective and safe natural home remedy. However, the powder can be messy when ants carry the DE dust around your house.
Use Pepper
It’s a common ant pest control method that almost every house owner is aware of.
Ants and other tiny pests heavily depend on their sense of smell to navigate the world. They find the scent of pepper extremely irritating.
So, to stop them from making their way to your home, sprinkle red pepper or ground pepper behind appliances and around the baseboards. However, although it’s a safe and affordable outdoor ant pest control method, pepper can be an irritant for kids and pets.
Essential Oils
Lemon, tea tree oil, cinnamon, peppermint, thyme oil, neem, and lemongrass oil are natural ant repellents, effectively evicting them from your house.
Therefore, to achieve excellent results, add a few drops of these oils to 2 cups of water and spray the solution in areas where you spot ant colonies.
Please note that essential oils are affordable and safe for children but can be irritating for pets, particularly cats.
White Vinegar
If you spot an ant infestation, blend a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar, then use it to wipe away the ants. The solution not only eliminates existing ants but also deters any future infestations because of its strong scent.
Remember that ants lay eggs, and the lingering vinegar scent disrupts their trial, hindering reproduction. Moreover, this ant treatment is both cost-effective and safe for people.
However, it’s important to note that it may be harmful to surfaces like wooden shelves, floors, etc.
Oranges and Lemons
Orange and lemon are citrus fruits. Their rinds contain an extract called d-limonene. A study has shown that this extract is poisonous to ants, specifically fire ants. Therefore, store the orange peels in a gallon jar.
After filling the jar halfway with rinds, fill the rest with water. Ensure the container is properly sealed and placed in a dark place for 3-4 days. You will notice a color change.
The next step is straining the liquid, pouring it back into the jar, and adding a teaspoon of molasses and 2-3 drops of dish soap. Thoroughly mix the solution, transfer it into a spray bottle, and apply directly to ants when spotted.
The solution will kill the ants instantly. You can also use this citrus oil to remove ant trails, so make sure you spray it anywhere you’ve noticed an ant colony.
Use Ant Baits
An ant bait is one of the most effective ant treatments. It is a small, sealed pod that you place in areas where ant activities are more active.
These pods contain concealed poison, which these pests can access and carry back to their nests. When the ants consume this poison, it kills them.
It’s recommended to hire an ant exterminator when trying out this method, as the poison can be dangerous for pets and kids.
Ant Traps
Ant traps and ant baits are almost similar. They both count as effective ant-control treatments. However, unlike baits, ant traps don’t allow ants to leave.
They may also contain toxic substances that kill ants rapidly.
Professionals providing the best pest control services for ants claim this treatment to be very effective. The only disadvantage is that you must check the traps regularly and dispose of dead ants.
Conclusion: When to Opt for Ant Pest Control Services?
Ant infestations can be frustrating, but the good news is that you can eliminate them by adopting one or more of the home remedies mentioned above. You must take control of your property and say goodbye to unwanted pest visitors.
However, if your home is heavily infested with ants and home remedies alone can’t fend them off, call Rice’s Termite and Pest Control. We offer the best pest control services in Salisbury, MD, ensuring a comprehensive and effective solution for all types of pest-related issues.
