Ants are more than just annoying. They are also potentially harmful to pets and people. To mark their routes, scout ants leave a trail of bacteria for other ants to follow. Moreover, the smallest bit of sugar or drop of soda could attract an entire colony of ants. Once the find a food source, or think they find one, they do not go quietly.
Deterrence is the best way to keep ants out of your kitchen. A pest control professional can create a harmless, chemical barrier which keeps ants outside. There are some natural ways to supplement this protective barrier. Since they do not use chemicals, these approaches are often hit and miss. What works in one particular situation may not work in another one. So, be prepared for some trial and error.
Caulk
Tiny ants can squeeze through hairline cracks in baseboards. Sealing these cracks keeps them out. Caulking also reduces heating and cooling costs. A large amount of hot or cold air escapes through these tiny spaces. Moreover, caulk is usually 100 percent safe around pets and children.
Lemon Juice
As mentioned, ants use bacteria trails to find their way. Lemon juice does more than eliminate the bacteria itself. It also eliminates any lingering scent, so it destroys the trail altogether. Plus, lemon juice has a very kitchen-y smell that people like and ants hate.
Vinegar
A 50-50 vinegar and water solution does basically the same thing. Granted, it does not smell near as nice as lemons. But that scent destroys the bacteria trail scent. And, vinegar is probably a more effective cleaner than lemon juice. In fact, many people clean with vinegar all the time, because it has not phosphorus.
Herbs
Black pepper, chili pepper, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, mint, cloves, and pretty much any other spice in the cabinet may keep ants out of your kitchen. Sprinkle these herbs at suspected entry points. The smell may drive ants away.
Peppermint Oil
Strong-smelling peppermint oil makes the environment less attractive for tiny ants. One or two drops on a table or countertop should do the trick. It is not a good idea to put peppermint oil on baseboards or the floor.
Dish Soap
This stuff is not very healthy for pets or people when they consume it, so imagine what it will do to ants when they come into contact with it. A thin layer of dish soap along baseboards may be ab effective deterrent. Additionally, if you see ant mounds, pour dish soap into them.
Baby Powder
Talc, one of the main ingredients in baby powder, is a natural ant repellent. Granted, it is a little messy to put on your floors and baseboards, especially if there are pets or small children in the house. But if the other natural remedies do not work, it may be time to bring out the big guns.
Disclaimer, we have not tried all of these, they are some of the more popular ones we have heard about. If you are looking for a professional reach out to A+ Pest Control to learn how we can help. We are your local Huntsville Pest Control Experts!
As mentioned, ants use bacteria trails to find their way. Lemon juice does more than eliminate the bacteria itself. It also eliminates any lingering scent, so it destroys the trail altogether. Plus, lemon juice has a very kitchen-y smell that people like and ants hate.
Vinegar
A 50-50 vinegar and water solution does basically the same thing. Granted, it does not smell near as nice as lemons. But that scent destroys the bacteria trail scent. And, vinegar is probably a more effective cleaner than lemon juice. In fact, many people clean with vinegar all the time, because it has not phosphorus.
Herbs
Black pepper, chili pepper, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, mint, cloves, and pretty much any other spice in the cabinet may keep ants out of your kitchen. Sprinkle these herbs at suspected entry points. The smell may drive ants away.
Peppermint Oil
Strong-smelling peppermint oil makes the environment less attractive for tiny ants. One or two drops on a table or countertop should do the trick. It is not a good idea to put peppermint oil on baseboards or the floor.
Dish Soap
This stuff is not very healthy for pets or people when they consume it, so imagine what it will do to ants when they come into contact with it. A thin layer of dish soap along baseboards may be ab effective deterrent. Additionally, if you see ant mounds, pour dish soap into them.
Baby Powder
Talc, one of the main ingredients in baby powder, is a natural ant repellent. Granted, it is a little messy to put on your floors and baseboards, especially if there are pets or small children in the house. But if the other natural remedies do not work, it may be time to bring out the big guns.
Disclaimer, we have not tried all of these, they are some of the more popular ones we have heard about. If you are looking for a professional reach out to A+ Pest Control to learn how we can help. We are your local Huntsville Pest Control Experts!
