How to Get Rid of Ants in the House

Having ants in your house can be a pesky, frustrating problem. Fortunately, most ants are easy to get rid of! As long as you're diligent about keeping a clean house and making sure there's no food lying around, your ant problem will disappear as quickly as it came! However, if you find any damaged or wet wood, you might want to call an exterminator to help you get rid of your carpenter ant infestation.

EditSteps

EditKeeping a Clean House

1. Sweep up any crumbs and wipe up any spills immediately. Wipe up any extra water or crumbs from your counters, and sweep and vacuum daily. This is especially important for your kitchen and dining area. Ants are looking for food, so make sure there's none for them in your home!^[1]
   
   • It is helpful to establish a weekly kitchen cleaning routine and a full pantry clean. One day a week, sweep and mop your floors and wipe down all your kitchen surfaces, including your pantry.
2. Dispose of all garbage from your home daily. Make sure you dispose of all trash into garbage bags. It is also helpful to take out your trash every day, so there is no food remnants for ants to find.^[2]
   
3. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink since they will attract ants. Sinks are popular areas for ants because of the leftover food that may remain on the plate. Washing your dishes cuts down on any potential food for ants to find.^[3]
   
   • If you are putting your dishes in the dishwasher, rinse them thoroughly.
4. Put all food away and use bag clips, bags, or air-tight containers. Store perishables in the fridge, and put a cover on top of any non-refrigerated food. Bag clips, plastic bags, and airtight containers help seal away your food so ants can't get inside. Proper food storage will decrease the opportunity for ants to find food in your home.^[4]
   
   • Rather than leaving your bag of chips on the counter, make sure you clip the bag and put it in the pantry.

EditUsing Natural Repellents

1. Spray a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water to destroy any scent trails. You create a natural ant deterrent with your vinegar and water mixture. Ants will not travel where vinegar is sprayed, so spray an even layer of your mix over ant scent trails or any place you've seen ants. This will throw the ants off course.^[5]
   
   • This isn’t a way to kill ants but rather deter them from coming into your home.
   • You can also use soapy water instead of vinegar.
2. Sprinkle ground cinnamon or coffee grounds as ant deterrent. Grab some of these kitchen basics you may already have, and dust them in any area ants tend to go. You can use a heaping spoonful or more, depending on your ant problem. Ants are not a fan of these smells or tastes.^[6]
   
   • You can also sprinkle these natural deterrents at any entry point, like your doors and windows.
   • You can also use chili powder, peppermint essential oil, or garlic for other natural alternatives.
3. Purchase natural ant repellents if you want to use commercial products. Try EarthKind's Stay Away Ant Granules or similar products. You can purchase these online or at most health food stores. These are helpful for defensive strategies to prevent ants.^[7]
   
4. Create a borax, water, and sugar mixture to attract and kill your ants. Borax is a natural mineral known for its cleaning power. Mix of warm water with sugar and of borax. Pour your mix into a small bowl or cup, and place this where your ants travel frequently. The sugar will attract the ants, and the borax will kill them.^[8]
   
   • When the ants consume the borax, it starts to break down their digestive system.
   • It is one of the most effective methods to get rid of ants, and it can kill the entire colony.

EditTrying More Extreme Solutions

1. Seal any open cracks that may allow ants to enter your home. Use a waterproof silicone caulk or sealant to fill in cracks or holes. Windows or doors are popular entry points for ants. This will make it more difficult for ants to find a way inside.^[9]
   
   • Try to seal as many holes or cracks as possible. You may not be able to get every single spot, but this will help with overall ant prevention.
2. Set up ant baits through your house to control your ant problem. The ants will be attracted to the bait, then get stuck and die. Baits come in either gels, granules, or stations. Most baits also come in two forms: sugar-based or protein/grease-based.^[10]
   
   • You can use any type of bait, though it is recommended to use one that has both sugar and protein bases.
3. Spray insecticide around any entry point to keep ants out. Use insecticide around where the ants are entering your house to deter them from coming back. Keep about between your spray and the surface you are spraying. This will prevent more ants from coming inside.^[11]
   
   • You want to spray enough to wet the surface, but not soak it.
   • Use an insecticide that contains bifenthrin, permethrin, or deltamethrin.
   • For more serious ant issues, you can also spray around the perimeter of your house.
4. Call an exterminator for help, especially if you suspect carpenter ants. Exterminators can help assess the problem and catalogue the extent of the damage. For severe carpenter ant infestations, an exterminator is your best bet to help remove the repeat infestations and apply insecticide as needed.^[12]
   
   • Call a few exterminators to compare prices and make sure you're getting the best deal possible.
   • You might have carpenter ants if you have any damaged or wet wood in the house.

EditWarnings

• You can use over the counter ant sprays, but often these sprays only kill the ants and do not fix the problem. If you do not remove ants from your home, the ants will just go around the spray to get to the food source

EditSources and Citations

EditQuick Summary

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