DIY Ant Trap — Natural Solutions for Getting Rid of Ants in the Home
Having an ant infestation is not good for your home. But using chemical laden insect repellants is not necessarily a great alternative as conventional products contain harmful chemicals. Here are some items you can use as DIY ant traps and repellants that do not contain chemicals, and will not jeopardize your health as you get rid of those pesky ants naturally.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Ants use their sense of smell to guide their way. Make a mix of half apple cider vinegar and half water and put in a spray bottle. Spray surfaces where you have seen ants several times throughout the day. Ants avoid the smell of vinegar and will be driven away.
Hot Water
If the ants originated from somewhere outside, you can use water to get rid of them. Heat one to two gallons of water on the stove to boiling. Pour the water down the ant hole to kill them.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural compound made from fossilized algae. Using food-grade diatomaceous earth, dust this white powder where you see ants walking. It will dehydrate the ants and cause them to die. If you know where they are coming from, you can dust the powder in the hole as well.
Cream of Wheat
Put some cream of wheat on a small dish where the ants will get to it. Once they eat it, the grains will expand and cause the ants to explode.
Peppermint oil
Ants do not like the smell of peppermint. When you see an ant trail, dab some peppermint oil on the trail. This throws off their trail back to the colony, preventing more from continuously returning to your home.
Alcohol and Dish Soap
To kill ants, mix together water, alcohol, and dish soap with the ratio of two parts water, two parts alcohol, and one part soap. Spray it directly on the ants to kill them. Also spray it on the trail line to cover up the scent to prevent any survivors from finding their way back.
Black Pepper
Black pepper also confuses ants’ sense of smell. Sprinkle pepper wherever you see ants. If you can find where they are entering from, sprinkle some pepper there as well to prevent them from coming in.
Cucumber
Ants do not like the bitter smell of a cucumber peel. Spread some peels where you see ants walking and where they enter your home and it will help to ward them off.
Boric Acid
Boric acid kills ants. Mix some with peanut butter and spread it on a cracker or on a little dish. The peanut butter will lure the ants to the bait and the boric acid will get rid of them. Be sure to keep this mixture away from pets and children.
Ants get into your home and make it very hard for you to get rid of them. Many store bought ant killers and repellents contain strong and harmful toxins. These natural solutions are great for getting rid of ants and are perfect to be used as a DIY ant trap.
Sources:
https://www.ghorganics.com/DiatomaceousEarth.html
https://www.thefrugallife.com/ants.html
https://www.crittercontrollers.com/getting-rid-of-ants-naturally.php
https://www.diylife.com/2008/06/05/all-natural-ant-control-and-prevention/
Photo Credit:
sanchom on flickr.com
