How to Get Rid of Ants Organically

Kill ants?

How to get rid of ants is a question that plagues some of us in the summer. Organic pest control takes it to a whole new level. Ants can get into everything, ruin food and make you crazy. Getting rid of ants is possible, and you can do it using organic pest control.

Things You'll Need

• Vinegar
• Terro-Ant bait (cheap- about $3.50 a bottle)
• Beneficial Nematodes
• Safer Ant Killer (Poison Free -works with Mint oil)
• Orange pest spray
• Plastic/glass containers for food

Instructions

1. To get rid of ants indoor, clean the areas where they have been. Wipe down the shelves with whatever cleaner you have been using (green cleaners keep this an organic pest control method) and spray lightly with the orange or mint pest spray. Let dry.

2. Place boric acid pest killer, like Terro bait, near where ants have been spotted. Boric acid pant bait is an organic substance and sugar. Ants are attracted to it...so you will see an influx of ants. They will carry the bait back to the colony and the queen will eat it and die. This may take a few days. In the meantime, store the food items in enclosed containers. Do not kill the ants eating the bait. If you have a very large colony under the foundation of your house, this may not be enough to kill the queen. However, it may take several days. Be patient.

3. Outdoors, kill ants by pouring copious amounts of vinegar into the nests. Repeat until you observe no nest activity. Note: vinegar is only an organic pest control method if you are using organic vinegar. However, it is a green pest control solution as it is not adding toxic pesticides to our environments or air or filling up landfills.

4. As ant nests die, you may see scout ants in random places throughout your house, dispose of them individually or spray with mint oil.

5. If you believe the colonies are under your foundation- beneficial nematodes- (beneficial microscopic insects) do kill ants by acting kind of like a virus to them. You must apply the correct kind of nematode- purchased at garden supply or online, during a time where it is not too hot or dry. However, if applied according to package instructions, beneficial nematodes will reduce the ant population in and around your house for years to come.

6. Back to the kitchen? Is the bait gone? Are the ants gone? Patience, I would wait up to 3 days. After 3 days I would pull up bait, wipe out pantry and spray with mint oil, let dry and return food, and call a green pest control service.

7. Green pest control services can treat the inside of your walls with heat, boric acid, and orange oil to kill pests and be safe. If you have a home warranty, they often cover or discount pest control services.

8. For maintenance, when you see ants outside use the boric acid bait on cardboard squares near where you see ants congregating -if you cannot find the nest. Use vinegar on ant hills. Use mint spray inside if you find random ants inside. Keep food stored in containers and don't let the kids eat in their rooms.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep fruit trees and vegetable gardens maintained so food in not left on the ground near your house.

• Keep dishes and counters clean during ant season- one scout will bring guests

• Integrated Pest Management uses biological methods such as beneficial insects and organic compounds, as well as preventative measures, and natural deterrents when possible. Natural pesticides are used when needed. When called for, use a service that utilizes integrated pest management.

• Organic pest control products are not always non-toxic. Diatamaceous earth is organic and will kill ants on contact, but is highly toxic when inhaled (and it is effective as a powder.)

Resources

• Green Shield Certified Pest Control
• Arbico Organic Pest Control
• Orange Guard Indoor/Outdoor Home Insect Spray
• Safer 3-1 Organic Garden Spray
• Organic Gardeners Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control