Discovering any type of pest in the house is unsettling and frustrating, but ants can be particularly tricky to deal with. Ants often invade a home in search of food, but knowing the type of ants you have can be valuable information for getting rid of them.
From the extermination experts at Precise Termite & Pest Control, here are some tips for how to get rid of ants in the house.
Deep Clean Your House
Even the tiniest scraps of food can be big feasts for ants, so one way to get rid of ants is to destroy all potential sources of food in your home. Vacuum the floors daily, take out trash right away, and clean surfaces of any crumbs that remain after meals.
Secure Your Pantry
Ants love discovering open sources of food in kitchens, so another way to get them out of your house is to make sure everything is stored away in airtight containers. It’s also a good idea to wipe down the outside of containers after you use them so that there’s no sticky residue to attract ants.
Commercial Ant Spray
You can purchase ant sprays over-the-counter from local home improvement and hardware stores to kill existing ants in a house. However, these products are not deterrents for new ants entering the home, which means that more ants could easily come in and replace the ones you have sprayed and killed. These chemical-based sprays can also be harmful to kids or pets living in the house.
Powdered Chalk
Some homeowners swear by chalk that contains calcium carbonate to keep ants away as a DIY home remedy. Powdered chalk can be sprayed at ant entry points.
Lemons and Lemon Peels
Some ants are also deterred by lemons, so you can try putting lemon peels or squeezing lemon juice at ant entry points in your home. Cleaning your floors with a mixture of water and lemon juice can have the same effect.
Red or Black Pepper
Ants despise the smell and taste of pepper, so you can sprinkle some red or black pepper in the places where ants are coming in. This won’t kill existing ants in your house, but it may deter new ones from coming in.
Peppermint
Another natural DIY remedy that you can try is peppermint, which is a natural insect repellant for ants and other insects. A dozen or so drops of peppermint essential oil mixed with a couple cups of water can be sprayed around windows and baseboards of a home to deter ants.
Call Precise Terminate & Pest Control
If you have tried one or more of these strategies and been unsuccessful, it’s likely time to call in a professional to look at your ant problem and get rid of them for good. Precise Termite & Pest Control specializes in ant control and removal in Northern New Jersey, and we’re here to get rid of ants in your home now and to also help prevent future infestations. Call us at 866-971-2847 for a free ant inspection today.