Ant Control Tips

No one wants a horde of ants invading their home or yard, but how do you get rid of them if they have overrun your property? Are there ways to prevent this type of pest from making a home out of your house?

Ant control

If you see a line of ants making its way through your house, follow it to discover the point from which it originates. Ants can come in through a window, molding crevice, or even a crack in the floor.
Use boric acid to create a temporary barrier in this area. You can also use laundry detergent in powdered form for the purpose.
Look for food the ants may have been munching on and throw it away, outside of the house.
If you see that ants have overrun your kitchen's garbage can, remove it from the room, and give it a good wash with a hose. Wash with dishwashing liquid and water to thoroughly clean the can and make sure all the ants have been removed.
Keep food in tightly sealed containers or in the refrigerator. Food anywhere else may attract more ants.
Ants are small and can get into sealed glass jars. To properly seal these jars, you need to cover them in zipper-lock plastic bags. Or, purchase glass jars with a rubber gasket.

All cupboard food should be fully sealed. This is especially important for sugar, honey, maple syrup, grains, cereals, cookies, jams, and bread.

Get rid of the ant line by vacuuming it up along with some corn starch so they suffocate in the vacuum bag. Or you can wash them away with some soap and water.

To abolish the scent of the trail, wash the area after removing the ant line. Use soap and hot water.

Permanently seal the entryway used by the ants. Caulk windows and cracks, and weather-strip doors. Cover holes with duct tape or petroleum jelly.

Try to find out where the ants entered from the outside. You may find a branch, for example, used to climb over to a window.

Go back in an hour and scout the area. If you see any lone ants walking around, get rid of them.

To completely eradicate an ant invasion, use ant traps laced with boric acid. An effective form of pest control, ants that return with the spoils from the traps poison the entire colony, getting rid of the problem in one shot.

Find a local Pest Control contractor.
View more Pest Control articles.
Add your own Home Improvement article.