Deciding How to Get Rid of Ants

Ant infestations can happen very quickly and can be extremely difficult to get rid of. So, deciding how to get rid of ants is quite important. Ant colonies of thousands can be found between brickwork and tiles, or cracks in door and window frames, potentially damaging the structure of a house. So, seal any gaps with filler or cement, which is dually beneficial, as it will also help savings on heating costs.

Deciding How to Get Rid of Ants

In the garden, try to eliminate aphids, mealybugs and whiteflies, which ants feed on. Avoid logpiles and uncovered composts heaps, which make ideal ant habitations.

Ants are attracted by sweet, sticky substances and have an excellent sense of smell, so keep rubbish bins closed and food stored in airtight containers, or at least covered.

Clear up any spillages or food debris immediately and do not leave pet food or dirty dishes out. Sweep, mop and vacuum regularly, as the cleaner your house, the more chance you have of getting rid of ants. Ants also need water, so fix any leaking pipes or dripping taps.

For getting rid of ants, there are a range of specialist products in the form of sprays, powders, plug-ins and gels available from supermarkets, DIY shops, garden centres and hardware stores.

Alternatively, a vast array of natural products can be used to get rid of ants, by placing along or around their trail, such as peppermint oil, black pepper, bay leaves, cloves, mint, vinegar, garlic, cinnammon, cayenne pepper, cucumber, citrus peel, paprika, coffee grounds and powdered red chilli pepper.

Homemade sprays can also be devised, containing rubbing alcohol, dish soap and water.

Cornmeal swells an ants digestive system and diatomaceous earth removes moisture from ants bodies, both of which cause death.

Put by doors, windows and walls, plus any specific suspected entry points. Vacuuming ants is a popular method and after this you should vacuum some talcum/baby powder to ensure death. However, some powders are made of corn starch which is not effective.

When working out how to get rid of ants, you can even destroy the nest. If you can locate the nest, simply pour several gallons of boiling water inside. If you can't do that, you will have to bait. Boric acid powder and borax are both highly effective as they affect ants both internally and externally. Ants take the poison back to the nest, killing the colony.

Borax, which is 100% natural, should be mixed with water and sugar plus syrup, jelly or peanut butter, and placed in bowls, jam jars or on cotton balls. Balancing the amount of each ingredient can be a case of trial and error.

The most crucial ants to get rid of are the scouts, which forage for food supplies and report back to the nest, and the queen. The queen is up to three times larger than the average ant, reproducing at a staggering rate and can be found at the bottom of the nest.

For persistent problems, bring in experts licenced to deploy more potent chemicals to get rid of ants. In extreme cases, home evacuation and fumigation may be required. This may be costly, but it will be effective in how to get rid of ants.