You may be able to exterminate ants without calling in a professional, though more severe infestations will require a stronger approach. Some ant species, like carpenter ants, can cause structural damage to your house if not treated immediately. Other infestations might be harder to eliminate due to a colony resisting natural and chemical extermination solutions.
Take note of where you’re seeing the ants. They may run along your baseboards, emerge from holes under cabinets, or pop out of cracks in your walls or floors, particularly if your house is older. There may be other exterior entry points to your home, including visible ant colonies in your front or back yard or cracks in your driveway.
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Clean the ant trailThis method is a quick fix against any ant species. Once you find where the ants originate, make sure to clean their trail to prevent future ants from traveling along this route. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water to make a cheap and natural solution to get rid of ants. Spray all of the possible entrance paths and the entire duration of each trail. Wipe up the dead ants and discard them once they’ve been sprayed. To maximize your home remedy, spray in the morning or late afternoon when ants are most active.
# Use peppermint and clove essential oilPeppermint is another natural remedy that can deter ants from entering your home. Mix 35 drops of peppermint essential oil and 35 drops of clove essential oil with four ounces of water in a spray bottle. Spray window sills, baseboards, or door frames to alleviate an infestation. Shake the bottle before each use. You may have to do this for a few days until the ants are completely gone.
# Place used coffee grounds or baby powder near entrancesAnts are repelled by the strong scents given off by used coffee grounds and baby powder. The acidity of the coffee will burn ants’ bodies, causing them to avoid the coffee ground barriers.
# Lay out cinnamonPlace cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon anywhere you’ve seen ants. To prevent ants from coming into your home, put the cinnamon by doorways and cracks. This creates a barrier that ants refuse to cross. You can also use a solution made with water and cinnamon essential oil if ground cinnamon does not prove effective.
# Draw chalk lines
Standard chalk used on chalkboards is all you need for this method to work. The powder from chalk works similarly to Diatomaceous earth. Ants won’t cross chalk lines because it interferes with their ability to follow scent trails.