How to Make a Home Remedy to Kill Ants

Homeowners can take steps to keep ants out of their house.

Ants can be found throughout North America. They are a common nuisance and can quickly invade a home, covering counters or tables and sometimes biting human occupants. There are many commercial ant traps and insecticides that can kill ants, but these products often rely on highly toxic chemicals and may also be expensive. Save money by opting for a more natural home remedy that kills ants and repels them from your home.

Things You'll Need

• Small plastic container
• Scissors
• 1 tbs. borax powder
• 3 tbs. white sugar
• Peanut butter
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Natural or dried diatomaceous earth
• Caulk
• Vinegar

Instructions

1. Make an ant trap with a homemade ant killer. Use scissors to cut four or five small holes around the base of a small plastic container that has a cover, such as those used for store-bought cream cheese.

2. Mix 1 tbs. of borax with 3 tbs. of white sugar in a bowl. Borax is a common household and laundry cleaning product and can be obtained at most grocery stores and general retailers. Example products include Dial's 20 Mule Team Borax. Stir in a bowl with a spoon until the borax is thoroughly mixed with the sugar.

3. Add a spoonful of peanut butter and mix so that the powder and sugar are evenly distributed through the peanut butter. Scoop the mixture into the bottom of the plastic container. Close with a plastic cover and place in the corner of your kitchen or in any area that attracts ants. The sugar and peanut butter will attract the ants while the borax naturally kills them.

4. Inspect your home's exterior, looking for areas in where ants congregate and find their way into your home. Example areas include exterior window sills and doors. Dust such surfaces with diatomaceous earth, an all-natural powder available at many health food stores. The powder slices through the ants' exoskeleton and kills them.

5. Deter ants from entering your home after setting your homemade ant trap and dusting your home with natural or dried diatomaceous earth. Check door jams, corners of windows, and the inlet areas for exterior piping and wiring. Seal any open spaces with caulk to block the ants. Consider natural ant repellents to further deter ants. For example, spraying white or apple cider vinegar on surfaces will repel ants due to its acidic nature and strong smell.

Tips & Warnings

• Always clean up food spills and messes, and package up leftovers and prepared goods in sealed containers or bags to avoid attracting ants.

• Diatomaceous earth should not be inhaled and can cause health hazards if inhaled in great quantities due to its crystalline silica componenets. Reduce health risks by using dried or natural diatomacous earth, which contains minimal levels of crystalline silica.

References

• 1001 All-natural Secrets to a Pest-free Property; Myles H. Bader; 2006
• Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living; Annie Berthold-Bond; 1999

Resources

• University of Kentucky's Tips for Homeowner Ant Control