If you have ever had ants in your kitchen, you know how annoying and difficult they can be to get rid of. Ants are attracted to food, moisture, and warmth, which makes the kitchen the perfect place for them to set up camp. While there are a number of store-bought ant baits and traps available, there are also a number of home remedies that can be just as effective—if not more so. Here are some tips on how to get rid of ants in your kitchen.
How to Get Rid of Ants In the Kitchen – 4 Easy Methods
#1. Vinegar
#2. Soap and water
#3. Lemon juice
#4. Borax powder
All you need is a bottle or jug of white vinegar, a bowl, dish soap, a lemon, fresh water, a Borax powder such as 20 Mule Team Borax , and sugar (optional). These natural ingredients will work together to kill the ants and discourage them from coming back into your home. Here’s what you need to do:
Method One – Vinegar
Pour white vinegar into a bowl (amount will depend on how big the infestation is) and leave it out where the ants are congregating. The ants will be attracted to the vinegar and will climb in, but they won’t be able to climb back out because the vinegar breaks down their exoskeleton. You can also use this method to keep ants away from areas where they’re not welcome—simply wipe down surfaces with a vinegar solution (equal parts water and vinegar) once a week. Note: If you have pets, make sure they cannot reach the bowl of vinegar as it is toxic if ingested.
Method Two – Dish Soap and Water
This method works in much the same way as vinegar except that instead of dissolving their exoskeletons, the dish soap cuts through their grease, which effectively drowns them. Combine equal parts water and dish soap in a bowl or spray bottle and leave it out near where the ants are coming into your home or wherever you’ve seen them congregating. You can also use this mixture to wipe down surfaces—simply spray surfaces with the solution once a week and wipe clean. Note: This method should not be used if you have pets as dish soap can be toxic if ingested.
Method Three – Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another natural substance that effectively repels ants because they hate the smell. Unfortunately for them (and fortunate for us), all it takes is a small amount of lemon juice to keep them away. Combine equal parts water and lemon juice in a bowl or spray bottle (a tablespoon or two of each should do the trick) and apply it liberally around entry points into your home or wherever you’ve seen ants congregating inside your home. You can also use this mixture to wipe down surfaces—simply spray surfaces with the solution once a week and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Note: Be sure to dilute the lemon juice with water as undiluted lemon juice can damage surfaces like countertops and floors if left on too long.
Method Four – Borax Powder
Borax powder is an effective ant killer because it dehydrates them while also disrupting their stomach lining so they can’t digest food properly, which effectively starves them to death. To use this method, simply sprinkle Borax powder around entry points into your home or wherever you’ve seen ants within your home (be sure to avoid areas where pets or children could come into contact with it). You can also make bait by combining equal parts sugar and Borax powder—the sugar attracts the ants while the Borax kills them—and placing it near where ants are entering your home or congregating inside your home. Note: As with all methods involving chemicals, use caution when handling Borax powder as it can be harmful if inhaled or ingested in large quantities (be sure to follow package instructions). If possible, wear gloves when handling Borax powder as well as protective eyewear such as safety goggles .
How to Tell if You Need Professional Pest Control for an Ant Problem
When you see a lone ant scuttling across your countertop, it’s easy to think that you don’t need to call in professional help. However, ants are very good at hiding their nests, and those nests can house thousands of ants. If DIY pest method doesn’t work for your ants or you don’t have time for DIY methods, it’s time to call in the professionals.
There are several reasons why you might need to call a professional pest control company for an ant problem, even if you only see a few ants. First, as we mentioned before, ants are very good at hiding their nests. If you see a few ants crawls into cracks in your walls or under your sink, there could be thousands more living in their nest. Second, ants can cause damage to your home. Some species of ants will strip the paint from your walls or eat through the wood in your floors and walls. If not treated quickly, this damage can become irreparable. Finally, some species of ants can sting or bite, which can be dangerous for young children or pets who come into contact with them.
Conclusion
While there are many store-bought products available for getting rid of ants in your kitchen, there are also many natural methods that can be just as effective—if not more so. With just a few household ingredients like vinegar, dish soap, lemon juice, and Borax powder ,you can get rid of those pesky critters for good! The best way to get rid of an existing infestation is to call a professional pest control provider. Pest control providers have access to stronger insecticides and traps that will quickly eliminate an infestation. They also have experience dealing with stubborn infestations that are difficult to eliminate on your own.
