Get Rid of Ants

The ants go marching in your house, through the kitchen, and into the cabinets.  They know where the good stuff is. Most of us would prefer not to have ants carrying off the pantry or pet food, and most also prefer not to use nasty pesticides to kill them. If you’ve covered the sugar bowl and honey pot and still have ants, here are a few new and old ways to get rid of ants using natural or non-toxic methods:

  • Place cayenne pepper in the cracks or holes where ants emerge.
  • Grow peppermint plants around the foundation of your house (they don’t like peppermint).
  • Place cinnamon sticks, cloves, or sliced garlic near ant paths, windowsills, or trouble spots. You can also sprinkle cinnamon powder on nest areas.
  • Sprinkle black pepper where you see ants.
  • Place cucumber peels where ants emerge.  Sounds crazy, but apparently they don’t like it.
  • Encourage toads to live near ant problem areas. Put little toad houses here and there and if you find a toad, bring it home.
  • Lay sticky fly paper out around areas they get into.  You could also use strips of duct tape.
  • Sprinkle cornstarch or cornmeal around nest areas.  Ants will carry it back into the nest, though they can’t digest it, and it ends up killing them (not very humane).
  • Place one or two Bay Leaves in your cabinets or pantry.
  • A line of salt where ants come in the house will create a barrier they will not pass.
  • Baby Powder (with talc) sprinkled around counters or ant paths and nest areas will deter them.
  • For fire ants (this will kill them): stir up the next so the ants get all worked up (be careful!) then sprinkle cornstarch, cornmeal, or instant grits around.  Wait two days, no more ants.
  • Use a white vinegar spray on your counters or cabinet fronts.  The smell turns them away.
  • Place a mint tea bag or dried mint leaves in cabinet or near ant entries.
  • A string soaked in citrus oil can be used as a barrier.
  • Diatomaceous earth are tiny razor sharp diatoms that will kill ants that cross it.  Use as a barrier.

For other ideas on natural pest control visit our blog.  To find local food in your area, visit our website, Pick-A-Pepper.com!

Similar Stories:

NEXT