Ants enter homes in search of food or water to bring back to their queen and her eggs in the nest. Once one of these pests locate a food or water source, it will carry it back to the nest, leaving a scent trail in its wake for other worker ants to follow. Ant extermination is often more difficult than it may seem.
Sure, you can go to one of your local stores and purchase a can of all purpose ant spray. Then go home, and spray until your heart is content. Unfortunately, this won’t result in successful ant extermination. So how do you get rid of ants?
Knowledge is the Key
When attempting ant extermination, it’s essential to know your ants.
To determine extermination tactics, you first need to know what type of ant you are dealing with. The most common invaders include pavement, carpenter, acrobat, pharaoh, and odorous house ants. These pests can cause damages to your property, pantry, and person. Which is why it’s important to have a swift and efficient ant extermination to protect your home and health.
Protection in Your Pantry
There are a number of items in your pantry that can offer protection against invading hordes of ants. Here are some common pantry items that could be a big help with your ant extermination project.
- Cinnamon – Not just for sticky buns, cinnamon and it’s essential oil counterpart works as both a repellent and insecticide. Ground and whole clove cinnamon scattered outside near potential ant entry points will deter the ants from trying to gain entry to your home. For ant extermination, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of essential oil to a glass of water and soak cotton balls in the mixture. Wipe down infested areas with cotton balls once a day until they are gone.
- Lemon – For ant-proof tactics turn to a lemon. Rub the juice across doorways, windowsills, and other entry points for repelling ants looking for a way in. Or, put a few drops of lemon essential oil on a cotton ball and leave in cabinets and other areas where you have spotted these ants. For extra protection, scatter small lemon peel slices around the outside of your home for an added deterant.
- White Vinegar – This common household pantry item is a great ant extermination ingredient. Ants simply can’t tolerate the strong smell and will do what they can to avoid it, including vacating your home. Additionally, white vinegar will mask any scent trails the pioneer ants made, making it impossible for others to follow.
- Peppermint – This natural repellent has a strong odor that will disrupt the ants’ sense of smell, making it impossible for the invaders to find the food or water source. Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil with 1 cup of water and spray the mixture twice a day in areas where you’ve seen ants until they are gone. Other methods for ant extermination include growing peppermint plants and sprinkling dried peppermint around entry points.
- Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth – Also known as DE, this powder is composed of fossilized remains of phytoplankton and works well for repelling and exterminating. Microscopic razor sharp edges will penetrate the ants’ exoskeletons with small cuts – causing their bodies to gradually dry out.
Call the Ant Extermination Experts
If you have more than just a small problem with ants, give the experts at Budget Brothers a call! We offer a full-service approach when it comes to ant extermination. We use an integrated program of comprehensive services. Your ant extermination will include prevention, exclusion, and control techniques to keep your home pest-free.
