How to Get Rid of Citronella Ants
Citronella ants are subterranean insects that secrete a lemon-scented substance when they feel threatened. They eat aphid excrement and pose no threat to your home, as termites do. Citronella ant swarmers are yellow-brown in color and can fly, though they do not harm people. Though the ants are harmless, some homeowners would rather not have the pests living under their homes. There are a few easy ways to get rid of citronella ants. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Clear your yard if you have piles of dead leaves or fallen tree branches. This type of debris is a common breeding area for ants of all kinds and other pests.
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2
Look around your basement or other areas near the foundation of your home to see signs of citronella ants. You may see small piles of dirt leading to their living space. Tracking the citronella ants' paths will make it easier to get rid of a large colony.
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3
Seal any cracks you might have in your home's foundation so the ants cannot get in or out. Home improvement and hardware stores sell caulk and polyurethane injection kits that can make this job easy.
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4
Spray a pesticide in and around the evidence of the ants' colony once you have located it.
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5
Pour boiling water around the entrance to the citronella ants' home if you prefer not to use toxic chemicals to get rid of the creatures. The combination of the heat and moisture will kill the queen bee and her workers.
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Tips & Warnings
If home remedies do not get rid of the citronella ants, contact a pest-control service to help you. Pest Control Directory US contains listings of pest-control professionals in your local area (see "Additional Resources," below).
