DIY Ant Control: Natural and Chemical Methods

Ants are small insects that can cause big problems for home and business owners. The tiny critters will infest and contaminate residential and commercial properties in search of food and shelter. Fortunately, there are a few DIY ant control methods you can try to keep the pests away.

Natural DIY Ant Control Methods

• Strong scents –Ants rely on their strong sense of smell to navigate their way into your home, and you can use this to your advantage. Certain scents often found in your spice cabinet can overwhelm their senses and deter them from your home or business. Easily available ant-deterring ingredients include:

• Ground or black pepper
  • Peppermint
  • Lemon juice
  • Tea tree oil
  • White vinegar
  • Lemon eucalyptus oil

Simply dilute one of the above substances in a spray bottle with water and apply it to areas where you see ants.

• Boiling water – This method works best on any anthills you notice in your backyard or on your lawn. Pouring boiling water into the colony will immediately kill many of the ants. However, this won’t kill the entire colony and could take multiple trips to complete.

Chemical DIY Ant Control Tactics

• Glass cleaner – This common household item can remove scent trails ants use to communicate. Mix some glass cleaner with dish soap and spray it around areas where ants frequent. The pests won’t be able to find their way back to this spot and will leave it alone.
  
• Borax and boric acid – Despite their similar names, boric acid and borax are different household chemicals that are both effective at killing ants. However, these products can be toxic and should be kept away from pets and children. It’s also important to handle these products with gloves. Mix ½ teaspoon of the chemical with eight teaspoons of sugar in a cup of warm water.

While the above DIY ant control methods may be temporarily effective, the best solution for permanently removing ants from your Polk County property is to call an ant control professional.

Professional Ant Removal Services

At Critter Control® of Polk County, we use safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly methods to efficiently remove ants from your home. Schedule your inspection and receive your free estimate today by calling Critter Control® of Polk County at 863-204-2815.