Ant Removal: Erase Ant Trails That's because ants leave a scented trail that other ants follow. Sweeping or mopping isn't enough to eliminate the scent. Instead, mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water in a spray bottle for a safe way to get rid of ants in the home, then spray wherever you've seen ants in the past.
Vinegar: Wiping ants with a solution of equal parts of vinegar and water or only vinegar may work the best. Spray the mixture of a cup of water, a cup of vinegar, and tea tree oil (5-10 drops) on ants. White vinegar kills and repels the ants. Apple cider vinegar and water solution spray can also help.
Unfortunately, it doesn't work. Vinegar does not kill ants in the traditional sense: you spray it, and the ant dies. The only way this remedy is effective is if the ant drowns in vinegar (though water accomplishes the same thing).
Diatomaceous Earth is one of the most effective ant-killers out there, and placing them in the ant entryways can solve the problem of “how to get rid of ants permanently”. Diatomaceous Earth is made from remains of diatoms. Basically, by sprinkling them, ants dry and die.
“The most effective method for controlling an ant infestation is using ant baits. Set them out anywhere you see ants and expect a party,” Gangloff-Kaufmann says. “If you still see ants around the house, try a few different brands of baits until you find one that's appealing to this particular colony.”
On the other hand, plain table salt does not. It is only effective in intercepting the ants. This should not be applied on heavy ant-infestation.
Boiling water and Dish Soap
Much like the baking powder solution, this is another one of those explosive ideas that kill ants almost instantly. This can be used both within the house and to remove stubborn ant hills in the garden that you just do not want out there.
Ants hate the smell of strong citrus fruits. Save your orange, lemon and grapefruit peels and scatter them around entry points. It's a natural way to deter ants without harming them.
Using Windex to kill bugs is a popular internet hack that falls somewhere in the middle. While it can technically kill small insects like ants, it's not a suitable swap for tested insecticides, says Dr. Angela Tucker, manager of technical services for Terminix.
Use this white vinegar solution to spray all entry points of your home, try to spry all windows, doors, baseboards and the common paths that ants would travel within your home. Give about an hour for this solution to take effect, then after a few hours the ants should be dead.
Simply sprinkle baking sofa directly on an ant nest, then spray with white vinegar. This will cause an a foam-like reaction to help kill the nest. The acetic acid in the vinegar will treat a wide range of garden and common houseplant pests but it requires contact.
TERRO® Ant Killer Spray
This 16 oz aerosol spray kills ants on contact, and it keeps working for weeks after the initial application. Whether Ant Killer Spray is used inside as a deterrent or outside to control the pest population, it can protect against ants, spiders, cockroaches, and other unwanted insects.
For a long-lasting solution that tackles the issue at its source, our best overall pick is Amdro Ant Block. These granules act as bait for the ants because they smell like food. Ants in turn take the granules back to their colony for the Queen, which eliminates them.
Make a homemade ant killer with Borax
Mix Borax with equal parts water and sugar to make a syrup, and leave it in the corners where you've noticed ants. This method will work to kill the entire colony in roughly 24 to 48 hours, as the worker ants will bring the liquid back to the nest.
Like peppermint oil, tea tree oil can be an effective ant deterrent. To use this method, complete the following steps: Mix 5 to 10 drops tea tree essential oil with 2 cups water in a clean plastic spray bottle. Spray the mixture around the house where you typically see ants.
Wiping down your surfaces with equal parts vinegar and water should prevent the little pests from wanting to crawl all over your kitchen. Ants also avoid citrus, so using lemon juice to clean or leaving lemon peel around areas where they are entering your home should deter them.
Ants hate Vinegar. The smell of Vinegar will cause them to stay away from it or permanently leave the house. Ants crawl in a straight line, marching towards the food sources. The Vinegar solution will interfere with these pheromones, and the ants will get lost.
Using Dish Soap to Kill Ants
If you find black ants on your kitchen countertops, fill a spray bottle with dishwashing liquid mixed with glass cleaner. Then use the spray bottle to clean off every surface the ants have access to, not just the kitchen counter, and be sure to wipe it down thoroughly when you're finished.
Better Than Hopscotch: Ants will not cross a chalk line. Draw a chalk line in front of exterior doors, to prevent ants from coming into the house. You can also draw a chalk line around tables on the porch or patio, to keep pesky ants away while dining outdoors.
Aside from garnishing your tea, lemons can also be extremely helpful when it comes to combating ants in your home. The smell of the lemons masks the scent trails that they use to get to and from food, and also generally deters them from taking up residence.