How to Keep Ants Away Naturally - Ant Prevention
Like humans, ants also seek shelter indoors to escape the heat, as well as seek food and water—that's why multiple types of ants are so common in Florida homes. If you've ever played host to these unwanted guests, you understand how difficult it can be to get rid of ants.
Lucky for you, with some careful planning, it's possible to have an ant-free home. Here are some natural methods to ward off and prevent ant infestations.
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How to Keep Ants Away Naturally
The easiest way to keep ants at bay is by taking some simple precautions. Make these suggestions part of your regular routine in order to keep ants away:
- Put away dirty dishes. It's best to wash dirty dishes and put them away right away. If you use a dishwasher, shut the door tightly to keep ants out.
- Clean with a vinegar solution: Mop floors and clean counters with a 50/50 vinegar/water solution.
- Sweep and vacuum. Removing crumbs and mopping up sticky spills is the key to an ant-free environment. Clean the kitchen every day.
- Don't leave food out. Keep all food that you want to store in cabinets or on your counters in air-tight containers. If possible, keep fruit and vegetables in your fridge.
- Pet food. Don’t let your pet’s food and water stay out all night.
- Standing water. Fix any leaky pipes or faucets so there isn’t any standing water inside.
- Garbage. Take the garbage out at least once a day and use a trashcan that has an air-tight lid.
Does Vinegar Kill Ants?
While vinegar itself will not kill ants, you can kill ants with vinegar by drowning them in it. We recommend using a 50/50 vinegar/water solution when cleaning or spraying ants because they do not like the smell, making vinegar a natural way to get rid of ants.
DIY Ideas - How To Repel Ants
Because ants are so small, there are a thousand different ways they can get inside if you don’t use professional treatments. Try these helpful DIY ideas to keep ants away:
- Seal cracks and crevices. Caulk cracks and crevices in windows and doors. Another option is to fill a syringe with a vinegar solution and inject it in these hiding places.
- Natural deterrents. If you know where ants are getting in, you can line these entryways with things that ants hate. Salt, baby powder, lemon juice, chalk, vinegar, bay leaves, cinnamon, or peppermint oil are a few items that you have around your home that will stop ants from coming inside. Lay these out in areas where you see ants, and they’ll stop using that area as an entrance into your house.
- Landscape buffer. Have at least 3 feet between your home and any vegetation. Ants love using plants as bridges into your home, so make sure to properly maintain your lawn and clean up any debris.
- Empty coffee grounds on colonies in your yard. Coffee grounds confuse ants so that they end up losing track of scent trails. Spread fresh grounds where ants congregate and reapply once a year.
If the Problem Persists, Get Professional Help
Of course, no matter how many steps you take to prevent ants or even get rid of ants with DIY attempts, they may continue appearing. The most effective way to keep ants away once and for all is with help from a seasoned professional. Here at Paul's Termite and Pest Control, we take a serious and strategic approach to Integrated Pest Management. We use fewer chemicals to powerfully eliminate pests permanently. Our science-based, eco-friendly practices naturally create a barrier against ants and other pests, so you can enjoy a pest-free home without worrying about harmful chemicals.
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This blog was written by Kent D. Edmunds, CEO of Paul's Pest Control. Kent has been working with Paul's Termite & Pest Control since 1989 and is a certified pest control operator in both Georgia and Florida.