How to Rid Your Home of Ants

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(14 Ratings)

Ants enter homes looking for food, water and shelter. Controlling them usually requires a combination of methods.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Ant Traps
Lidded Trash Cans
Ant Traps
Airtight Containers
Caulking Guns
Caulks
Pruning Saws
Tree Trimmers

Step 1

Keep ants out. Caulk and seal all cracks and crevices around your home's foundation; inside, pay special attention to areas where food is prepared.
Step 2

Fix plumbing leaks. Remove food sources. Store food in clean, closed containers. Store garbage outdoors in sealed containers.
Step 3

Use bait to destroy nests. For an entire colony to be destroyed, ant bait must be slow-acting. Some of the chemicals that are effective in baits are hydramethylnon, boric acid and fipronil. Baits will work only if there is no other food source nearby.
Step 4

If ants are inside, wash them away with warm, soapy water. This removes the chemical trail and is as effective as most of the insecticides.
Step 5

Do not allow any wood - firewood, yard debris or foundations - to remain in contact with the soil. Damp wood provides a habitat for carpenter ants. Trim tree branches and shrubs away from buildings.

Comments

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goag said

on 8/30/2008 are there any foggers that will kill the carpenter ants? thanks

on 8/30/2008 are there any foggers that will kill the carpenter ants? our (white)bathroom is coverd with carpenter ants and we are having a housefull of company in two days. Please help

pryce1991 said

on 2/12/2007 put 2 tablespoons of boric acid in a bowl, mix with two cups of water and one cup of sugar, this makes a lot, dab generously where the ant trails are. within 72 hours, the ants will be gone.