How to Kill Red Carpenter Ants

Red carpenter ants eat decaying wood.

Red carpenter ants help the environment by eating dead and rotting wood located in the woods or even your yard. While these small creatures have an important place in the ecosystem, when the red carpenter ant population in your yard becomes too big and starts to invade your home and garden, it's time to get rid of the red carpenter ants. While there are many ant sprays and powders available to kill red carpenter ants, you can create your own insecticide for less money and added safety for your children and pets.

Things You'll Need

• Small plastic containers with lids
• 1 tbsp. bacon grease
• 1 tbsp. flour
• 1 tbsp. boric acid
• Plastic spoon
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Set out as many plastic containers as there are red carpenter ant hills in your yard or garden.

2. Pour 1 tbsp. each of bacon grease, flour and boric acid into each plastic container. Stir the mixture with a spoon. Promptly discard the plastic spoon in a location where curious children or pets can't get it.

3. 

   Household scissors create large enough holes for ants but keep pets and kids safe.

   Seal the lid on the plastic container. Punch holes in the lid, using your scissors, to keep your pets and children from getting into the containers, while providing entryways for the red carpenter ants.

4. Place a plastic container with your ant bait about 1 foot away from each ant hill. Discard the container every few weeks to get rid of ants that have died from the boric acid mix. Replace the container with a fresh one, if the ant population is still too much.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray diluted lemon juice along your doorways, window sills and anywhere else that ants are entering your home. Red carpenter ants are repelled by the citrus scent.

References

• Natural Pest Control: Suggestions, Resources and Books
• Earth Easy: Natural Insect Pest Control

Resources

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Carpenter Ant Management