How to Get Rid of Ants in the Dishwasher

Ants in the dishwasher are gross. Believe it or not, this is a much more common problem then you may think. Ants can get into the dishwasher from a variety of places, such as the dryer vents and even the drain. Here's how to rid your dishwasher of the pesky insects.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 gallon of vinegar
• Solution of peppermint oil and water in a spray bottle

1. Completely empty your dishwasher.

2. Pour one gallon of vinegar down the dishwasher's drain. Let it sit for five minutes. If the ants are coming from the drain pipe, this will kill them.

3. Run the dishwasher on the hottest cycle possible.

4. After the dishwasher has run, spray the surface of the dishwasher with the solution of water and peppermint oil. Make sure that you completely cover the grid where the dryer air escapes. If the ants are coming from the outside, they are most likely coming through these dryer vents.

5. While you have the peppermint solution, it might not be a bad idea to spray and wipe down the countertops.

Tips & Warnings

• During the summer months it might not be a bad idea to pour the vinegar down the dishwasher drain every month.
• Do not use any chemical ant treatments in your dishwasher.