11 Proven Strategies to Eliminate Ant Infestations

Advanced Strategies for Long-Term Pest Control

Ants can be a nuisance when they invade your home.

Dealing with these common garden and lawn pests trying to get at food crumbs on your kitchen counter or other surfaces can be frustrating.

Follow these tips from our friendly pest control experts to remove these persistent pests for good.

Key Takeaways

  • Identify the type of ants to best remove them.
  • Good sanitation and cleaning help deter ants.
  • Use pet-safe and environmentally products when possible.
  • Seal cracks and crevices ants use to enter.
  • Boric acid, diatomaceous earth and bait stations work well.
  • Be patient – completely removing ants takes time.

1. Identify the Type of Ants

The first step is identifying the type of ants that have infested your home. Some common house-infesting ants include:

  • Carpenter Ants – Large (about 1/2-inch long) and black. Nest in wood.
  • Argentine Ants – Small (1/16-inch long) and light brown. Love sweets.
  • Odorous House Ants – Small and brown. Have a strong odor when crushed.
  • Pavement Ants – Small and black. Build nests under stones, patio blocks, etc.
  • Pharaoh Ants – Tiny (1/16-inch long) and yellow/red. Prefer warm, moist areas.
  • Crazy Ants – Fast moving and brown. Attracted to electricity.

Correctly identifying them allows you to locate and destroy their nest, remove their food source, and properly bait or treat their entry points.

2. Maintain Good Sanitation

Ants need food and water to survive. Keeping your kitchen, bathrooms, and other areas very clean removes access to sugars, proteins, fats, moisture, and other things ants seek.

  • Wipe down countertops.
  • Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink.
  • Clean up crumbs and spills right away.
  • Take out the trash regularly.
  • Fix water leaks.

Good sanitation habits prevent ants from moving in and getting established.

3. Store Food Properly

In addition to good cleaning habits, be sure to store all food properly. Ants can detect odors and will relentlessly seek out any food items left unsealed.

  • Keep food in airtight containers.
  • Put pet food away after feedings.
  • Refrigerate what you can.
  • Use storage containers with tight lids.
  • Freeze extra items you don’t need now.
  • Never leave unsealed food out.

Correct storage limits the attractants bringing ants inside.

4. Seal Possible Entry Points

Ants need access to get inside. Cracks, crevices, holes, gaps, etc. allow them to enter and remain out of sight.

  • Caulk/seal along baseboards, counters, sinks, pipes, windows, etc.
  • Weatherstrip around doors and windows.
  • Fix gaps in screens.
  • Cover vents with fine mesh.
  • Seal openings around cables, wires, etc.

Removing access routes forces ants to continually relocate their trails, making control easier.

5. Apply Boric Acid

Boric acid is one of the most effective and long lasting chemicals to kill ants. It works when ants ingest it as they groom themselves. Since it’s an abrasive powder, they also carry boric acid particles back to their nests on their bodies which then kills the queen(s) and colony.

  • Sprinkle a fine layer of boric acid powder along baseboards, cracks, entry points, ant trails, etc.
  • Can also bait with boric acid sugar water solution.
  • Low toxicity to humans and pets but keep out of reach.

Boric acid sticks to ants’ bodies and is taken back to kill off the rest of the colony for long term control.

6. Use Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is another non-toxic powder that kills ants through microscopic abrasions cutting their waxy outer layer, causing dehydration and death. DE lasts longer than boric acid before needing reapplication.

  • Apply a fine coat of 100% DE along ant trails, nest access areas, etc.
  • Can also mix with bait food items.
  • Wear a mask when handling to prevent inhalation.
  • Completely safe for kids and pets once settled.

DE shreds ants’ protective coating to terminate them but is harmless to mammals and the environment.

7. Deploy Ant Bait Stations

Strategically placing ant bait stations near nests or along major trails is an effective way to manage ant infestations. Sticky baits trap ants while toxin formulas kill them.

  • Locate the main nests and trails if possible.
  • Use several bait stations – not just one.
  • Choose protein-based, sugar-based or oil-based bait depending on the ants.
  • Also bait with boric acid or borax mixtures.
  • Replace bait as needed until ant activity stops.

Laced bait traps and poisons ants, which they then take back to feed the rest of the colony, resulting in total destruction.

8. Apply Natural Repellents

For mild ant invasions or environment-friendly prevention, certain natural essential oils work as repellents.

  • Peppermint, cinnamon, tea tree, citrus and eucalyptus oils deter ants.
  • Mix 20-30 drops of oil with water in a spray bottle.
  • Lightly spray ant trails, possible nest sites, entry points, etc., reapplying every few days.
  • Can also soak cotton balls with the oils and set around areas ants frequent.

Strong natural scents chase ants away without toxic chemicals but require frequent reapplication.

9. Sprinkle Chili Pepper

Ants dislike walking on chili pepper. The irritant capsaicin found in all chili varieties interferes with their nerve signaling and disrupts their trails.

  • Apply a perimeter of ground cayenne or other finely ground chili pepper around areas ants are getting in.
  • Can mix chili powder with flour for more coverage.
  • Reapply the powder after rain or irrigation.
  • Keep chili containers sealed tight so ants aren’t attracted to them.

Chili pepper barriers block ants’ pathways and makes them cautious to cross. Reapply after weather washes away.

10. Use Vinegar

Plain white distilled vinegar kills and repels ants on contact due to the acidity upsetting ants’ delicate exoskeletons and killing them on contact.

  • Mix equal parts vinegar and water into a spray bottle.
  • Lightly spray ant nests you find directly.
  • Also spray along baseboards, countertops, exterior doors, windowsills and other ant entry points.
  • Repeat every few days until ant trails disappear.

Vinegar’s acid neutralises ants on contact without harsh chemicals but washes away so reapplication is needed.

11. Be Patient

Completely removing an ant infestation takes diligence and time. Ant colonies number in the thousands, so don’t expect overnight success.

  • Stick with your control plan for several weeks.
  • Rotate different treatments and baits.
  • Maintain cleaning and sealing routines.
  • Frequently monitor and reapply chemicals until all signs vanish.

Eradicating ants requires dedication over an extended period to succeed so be patient and proactive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I pour boiling water on an ant hill?

Boiling water will kill some ants but likely won’t eradicate the entire colony nesting deep in the ground or walls. Use insecticidal baits or treatments instead for controlling ants long term.

Does white vinegar kill all types of ants?

White vinegar kills ants through acidic contact. However some ant species have higher tolerances, requiring repeated direct dousing with vinegar solution for complete control.

Do lavender or other essential oils keep ants away from my pet’s food bowl?

Some scented oils like lavender, peppermint and tea tree can temporarily repel ants as a natural solution. Reapply oils daily around pet bowls since oils quickly evaporate instead of killing ants.

Why do ants follow the same trail along the exterior wall?

Ants use pheromone trails to navigate between food and their nest. Worker ants lay down scented pheromone as they return with food, guiding other ants along the fastest route afterward.

Can I mix maple syrup or corn syrup with borax to kill an entire colony?

Adding borax powder to sugary syrups like maple or corn syrup creates a sweet bait that worker ants will feed to larvae, queen(s) and others back at their nest, potentially eliminating the entire colony.

Conclusion

Take away any water sources that ants can access.

Employ natural deterrents such as essential oils or warm, soapy water.

Consistently apply natural treatments over areas ants traverse.

Be patient and persistent in your efforts.

With diligence, you can successfully evict ants from your home for good.