Imagine walking into your kitchen and spotting a trail of ants. It might be due to some leftover food in the sink, or their sudden appearance could be a complete mystery. Regardless of the cause, your priority is How to keep ants out of house. Don’t worry, Trendbbq.com has got you covered with some lasting solutions that will help you reclaim your ant-free home in no time.
1. How to identify types of ants
Across the United States, there are numerous species of ants, and knowing which type you’re dealing with can be crucial in finding the right method to eliminate them.
We point out some of the most common ants that may invade your home, including carpenter ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants, big headed ants, and crazy ants.
- Carpenter ants are large and prefer to feed and nest in damp wood. They have elbowed antennae and a pinched waist, with sizes ranging from 3.4 to 13 millimeters.
- Odorous house ants are dark brown with an unevenly shaped thorax, and their petiole is hidden by their abdomen. When crushed, they emit a strong scent.
- Pavement ants are small workers, usually about 3 millimeters in size. They are typically dark brown or black with a shiny exterior.
- Big headed ants are easily identifiable by their disproportionately large heads, about three times the size of their bodies. They are more aggressive than regular house ants.
- Crazy ants, like the tawny crazy ant or Raspberry crazy ant, move quickly and erratically. They are about 3 millimeters in size and covered in reddish-brown hairs. These ants are often found in or near electronic devices.
Identifying the specific ant species invading your home can help you implement targeted and effective strategies for ant control.
2. How to keep ants out of house
Chasing ants with black pepper
Sprinkle a little black pepper on the place where there are ants such as the path of the ants, the nest or the base of the house you do not want the ants to invade and you will see them quickly disperse and disappear, this is also an effective and simple ant repellant tip. which you should apply.
How to Get Rid of Ants with garlic
Besides black pepper, garlic is also a familiar spice that is always available in my kitchen and is one of the effective ant repellent tips. Just peel a clove or two of fresh garlic and place it near where ants usually appear, and soon no ants will appear. When the garlic clove is dry, replace it with another garlic clove so that the ants don’t come back again.
Using vinegar will make the ants go away
When it comes to the most effective natural solutions to repel ants, vinegar cannot be ignored. Vinegar will damage the sense of smell and destroy the pheromones of ants.
Just spray the diluted vinegar mixture on the door, window or anywhere where ants usually appear, the ants will no longer appear there. But vinegar is a volatile mixture, so you need to spray it daily to maintain its effectiveness.
How to Keep Ants Away with chalk
There are substances in the chalk that can break down ants’ pheromones, making them unable to sense scents and directions. You just need to draw a line of chalk or sprinkle powder on the place where you don’t want the ants to get in.
Chasing ants with lemon
If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, lemon will be an effective alternative to repelling ants. Mix a few tablespoons of lemon juice or 10 drops of lemon essential oil with 200ml of water, pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spray them where you see ants.
How to Get Rid of Ants with menthol
Mint with a cool aroma not only relaxes you but also helps to hinder the ability of the ants to communicate, from which the ants will no longer recognize where they have gone and quickly disappear.
Dilute menthol in a ratio of 10 drops of peppermint to 200ml of water and spray around the places where you don’t want to see ants.
At this time, your house is both clean of ants and has a very pleasant scent.
How to keep ants out of house with kerosene
Kerosene seems to be the antidote to the ants. Apply a little kerosene to the base of a table, chair, bed, or near an anthill. The hateful ants, when they hear the smell of kerosene, will “understand” themselves and move away.
How to keep ants out of house with dishwashing liquid
Mix one part dishwashing liquid with two parts water in a bottle, shake well and spray the mixture on the ants. Ants will suffocate and die. This way you can also use this mixture to kill cockroaches.
Repel ants with baking soda
Mix baking soda with sugar in a 1:1 ratio, and place it where ants often pass. The sugar is responsible for attracting ants, and baking soda will kill the ants if eaten. Or simply, you can sprinkle baking soda powder on the place where the ants are.
How to Keep Ants Away with coffee
Coffee powder or coffee grounds are the nemesis of ants. You put the grounds, coffee powder in the ants’ nest, soon they will be gone.
3. FAQs
How do I prevent ants from entering my house?
Keep your home clean and free of food debris. Seal cracks and gaps in doors, windows, and walls to deny ants entry points.
What household items can repel ants naturally?
Vinegar, cinnamon, lemon juice, peppermint oil, and white vinegar are natural ant repellents that you can use to deter ants from entering your home.
Can I use pesticides to keep ants out of my house?
While pesticides can be effective, it’s best to use them as a last resort. Choose non-toxic or less toxic options, and apply them only in areas where ants are present.
Are there specific plants or herbs that repel ants naturally?
Yes, plants like mint, lavender, and basil can act as natural ant repellents. Planting them around your home can help deter ants.
>>> See more: How to get rid of drain flies – 5 effective ways
