Backyard Patch Herbal Blog: Natural Control of Ants

We are still getting used to our new house. 
My last house had a seasonal ant infestation that I took care of with
natural means and was able with a few modifications to keep them out of the
house for the most part.

Here I had to start over.  We had the usual spring infestation when the
ground warmed and they came in looking for food.  With a bit of work. I was able to end that in
quick order.

Generally, I sprayed a vinegar mix in the areas they
entered and sprinkled baking soda in the pathways to keep them from coming
back.

Recently I have a new one, in my office by the
window.  This is weird because the window
is in a bumpout that does not reach the ground on the exterior of the house, so
I am trying to figure out where they are getting in, so I can stop the
invasion, but until I do I am using a number of different applications to keep
them under control.

Controlling Ants Naturally

1. Distilled White Vinegar

A white vinegar and water solution is a common method
to wipe out ants for good. Ants don’t like the smell of vinegar. It not only
repels them; it can also kill them. Depending on how much you can bear the
smell, mix at least one part vinegar and three parts water. Some people use
100% vinegar in a spray bottle or a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar. You can
stop with just plain white distilled, but since it is my office I opted for a
thyme and lemon scented vinegar.  I can
kill germs and the scent is more nose friendly as it is my office.

Ants search for food using pheromones, leaving a trail
for other ants to follow. To get rid of the trail, spray this mixture anywhere
you spot ants. Don’t forget any entry points, like window sills, backdoors, or
baseboards. Use the solution to wipe down and sanitize surfaces. If used once a
week or so, you should see a marked improvement.

2. Citrus Fruits

Ants hate the smell of citrus fruits, such as lemons,
limes, and oranges, so they’re an excellent natural repellant. Save your lemon
or grapefruit peels and scatter them around entryways. They act as natural deterrents
without causing ants any harm.

3. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is one of the best household remedies
for creeping critters in your home or garden. The odor of peppermint is strong
enough to ward off insects—ants, flies, and mosquitoes—without being pungent
enough to cause headaches or nausea.  I
created a spray using peppermint essential oil using it to wipe down the windowsills, wall areas and baseboards.  The
scent is very relaxing.

Another option is to use an oil incense burner near
the ant infestation source to keep them from coming back. 

4. Cinnamon

Studies show that cinnamon has a compound known
as trans-cinnamaldehyde that effectively repels and kills ants. Place ground
cinnamon around common entryways and its strong smell will act as a natural
repellent. You can also coat cotton balls with cinnamon powder or cinnamon oil
and place them near ant-prone areas. I sprinkle cinnamon on ant hills that are
too close to the house or along the foundation so they relocate away from the
house.

5. Salt

Spread table salt near nooks and corners to keep ants
away. A line of salt or baking soda creates a barrier that repels ants. A spray
of salt water solution can also help kill ants by dehydrating them. I use this
once I figure out where they are coming in then I spray them as they enter and
leave and take care of them.

6. Cayenne or Black Pepper

Like many people, ants find the smell of raw pepper to
be irritating. Sprinkle pepper around the areas where ants access the house.
A Texas A&M study found that a water and pepper solution was
effective at killing ants.

7. Borax (sodium tetraborate)

Borax and boric acid are not the same chemical
compound despite their similar-sounding name. But both may be equally as effective
at killing ants in the home.  However, it is imperative to keep borax away from pets and
children as it may be harmful.

To use borax, follow these steps:

Put on safety gloves.Make a solution of 1/2 teaspoon borax, 8 teaspoons
sugar, and 1 cup warm water.Stir until the sugar and borax are dissolved.Saturate cotton balls and place them around your home
in areas where you commonly see ants.After use, wash containers thoroughly or discard.

Find borax in the laundry section of Walmart or the grocery store or at your local hardware store.

So once I kill them at the entry point.  I will need to take care of the entry point.

How to Keep Ants Out of Your House

1. Seal all entry points. Caulk and seal any
cracks or exposed crevices where ants can access the house.

2. Keep sweets in airtight containers, tightly wrapped
with foil or plastic, or in the fridge. And stop throwing food items out in the
office trash that may not be picked up as often as the kitchen trash.

3. Regularly clean countertops, floors, cabinets,
and pantries. Also, keep pet food properly stored between meals and regularly
clean pet bowls.

4. Take out the trash and make sure that the trash
cans are covered. Inspect the cans for residue that might linger after taking
the garbage out and clean them regularly.

We know they came
into my office due to a tossed out frosty cup in my office trash.  The sweet was a magnet for the ants. I took
out the trash, treated the wall so they lost the scent track to the trash can
and then went looking for where they came in. 
My office is nowhere near the kitchen or the pantry or anywhere else
that food is kept so the fact I still have the ants after removing the Frosty
cup means there is another source that requires investigation.