Things You'll Need:
- Blenders
- Caulking Guns
- Caulks
- Medicine Droppers
- Black Trash Bags
- Plastic Freezer Bags
- Citrus Fruits
- Tanglefoot Pest Barriers
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Step 1
Determine why they are entering your property and eliminate the food, water and/or housing that they need to survive.
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Step 2
Promptly clean after meals and take all trash out of your home. Know that learning how to get rid of ants involves creating an ant-proof abode.
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Step 3
Move outdoor trash and recycling bins as far from your home as possible.
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Step 4
Tightly wrap and store food set out on kitchen counters.
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Step 5
Refrigerate all perishable food, especially in the summer, when fruits and vegetables may spoil quickly.
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Step 6
Remove pools of standing water. Ants get thirsty too.
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Step 7
Seal up cracks. The least toxic method is 100 percent silicon caulk.
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Step 8
Sprinkle powdered red chili pepper, paprika, dried peppermint or borax on ant trails, in cracks and near entryways to deter them from moving in.
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Step 9
Rid your garden of aphids, whiteflies and mealybugs. These sap-feeding insects excrete "honeydew," a sugary favorite of ants.
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Step 10
Spray or paint sticky barriers made out of tanglefoot products on plants and trees. These barriers prevent ants from climbing up stems and trunks to feed.
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Step 11
Create liquid bait by mixing 1 tsp. boric acid with 2 1/2 fluid oz. corn syrup or honey. Heat until the boric acid dissolves. In an eyedropper, add equal amounts of water and solution to drop in places ants frequent for 2 weeks.
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Step 12
Make a natural repellent of citrus peelings and water in a blender and pour it over the anthill.
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Step 13
Drown out ants by pouring boiling water over the mounds and into the cracks where they dwell. Roughly 3 gallons of water per mound ought to do the trick.
Comments
acetracy said
on 6/2/2009 Situation: New York City roof terrace.Ants: were limited to a few pots for year, now are everywhereSolution: I hear they are good for the plants, but how to keep them away from the deck tables and chairs?Your suggestions appreciated.
tammie82 said
on 5/9/2009 5/09/2009 Black pepper works the best I have kept ants away for years like that cucumbers sometimes work but black pepper is the best make sure you change it once every other day it burns their feelers.
akindle said
on 3/14/2009 There are some natural commercial products out there that you might try: http://www.simplenaturalsolutions.com/ant-killers-are-toxic-and-dont-work-well/
diygal said
on 3/8/2009 How does cinnamon work? I have animals to look out for, but I guess I can try a few baits because they can't really get into those. I want to know as many of the organic methods as possible so I can use them all like crazy. Has any one heard of using corn meal, is that the same as grits? What does boric acid do? I want to discourage them from trying to get in the house, I don't have them there but I also want to kill the ones in the yard and stop more from coming in. What is the baby powder doing? Is it talc or cornstarch? Is it supposed to be a finely ground mineral thing like the way DE works? I see alot mentioned about bay leaves, I use them in my cabinets, I wonder if making a tea would keep them away from certain areas? Maybe I will try it on my feet when I go to weed. I've got to get rid of these buggers, I can't go in my yard, I am so allergic to them, I'll tear my skin
lisayoungblood said
on 3/7/2009 Well, I've got ants that consider Terro the breakfast of champions! LOL I have been setting baits for 3 weeks now and they just keep coming back for more. But terro always worked in the past. Also this week tried spraying entry ways with bug spray and also vinegar on table/counters. Today I resorted to vacuuming them up. I guess I'll try the pepper or cinnamon. : )