How to Get Rid of Argentina Ants

Keep ants from taking over your home.

Argentina ants are the small black ants that invade your home. They love the sweet smells found in your kitchen or bathrooms. Getting rid of these pests can be a challenge. Several common household items will help you get rid of the ants and keep your house ant free.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Citrus based cleaner
• Canisters
• Waxed paper
• Rubber bands
• Hot, soapy water
• Mop
• Boric acid or borax ant bait traps

Instructions

1. Sprinkle some cornstarch in the ant-filled areas and vacuum the areas really well. The cornstarch will suffocate the ants once they are inside the vacuum cleaner.

2. Take potted plants outside and flood the plants with water a couple times to drown the ants.

3. Take any foods off of your kitchen counters and place them in canisters or in the refrigerator. Items like honey can go in the refrigerator. Place items like sugar and other powdered sweeteners in canisters. Cut a piece of waxed paper and put over the opening of the canister. Place a rubber band around the waxed paper and put on the lid to the canister. The waxed paper will help keep any ants from getting inside the canister.

4. Wipe all surfaces off with hot, soapy water. This will remove any sweet-smelling trails and will not attract ants to your home. Clean off counters, stoves, tables and chairs.

5. Mop your floors with a citrus-based cleaner. Mopping the floors will erase all the ant trails and the citrus in the cleaner will help keep the ants out of your home. Additionally, wash trash cans out with a citrus-based cleaner.

6. Place boric acid or borax ant bait traps in the areas that the ants are normally attracted to, like bathrooms or next to your trash cans. Any ants that come into your home will take the bait back to the colony and will kill off the colony and queen ants.

Tips & Warnings

• Most borax ant bait traps are now safe for children and animals, but still use caution when using chemicals.

References

• Ecology Center: Non-toxic Ant Control