By
 In News

Although we tend to view ants as undesirable pests, they are a real boon for the environment. Seeing them in your yard or garden is a good thing, because they help destroy thousands of parasites and aerate the soil.

However, ants can quickly become a problem if they find their way into your home. They can cause structural damage and even pose health risks in some cases. Any ants that infiltrate your house should be eliminated as soon as possible.

If you’ve noticed ants in your kitchen, living room or basement and want to find out how to get rid of them, read on! In this article, our experts present 10 tips for repelling ants.

Natural ant repellents

Although an insect extermination service remains the best way to put an end to an infestation, there are natural repellents you can use to get rid of ants.

These natural repellents discourage insects from entering your home and setting up a colony in the first place. They aren’t meant to kill the ants but rather to drive them away without resorting to chemicals. However, if you are dealing with a serious infestation, we recommend calling a professional exterminator.

1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon can be used in powder or oil form to get rid of ants in your kitchen.

Sprinkle a little cinnamon in areas where you have seen ants or dip cotton balls in cinnamon essential oil. You can place them all over, but the most important thing is to refresh the cinnamon regularly, because the scent fades quite quickly.

Be careful when using essential oils—they can stain surfaces. It’s best to test some on the intended surface in an unobtrusive place to determine whether it will stain.

2. Pepper

There are spices other than cinnamon that can also be used as natural ant repellents. Sprinkling pepper in areas where the ants are usually found will deter them and many other insects from entering your home.

Sprinkling pepper in strategic places is an effective way to deter carpenter ants. This species digs holes in structures and can cause significant damage in just a few days.

3. Lemon juice

Lemon is one of the most effective natural ant repellents, because the acid content makes their tracking sense less accurate. Try spraying some on the ant trails and around doors and windows.

Orange is another type of citrus that repels ants. It gives off a strong smell that will deter the insects from entering your home.

4. Coffee grounds

Coffee grounds have been shown to retain many of their properties after being used to make coffee. Unsurprisingly, they can be used to get rid of ants in the house, because they give off a smell so strong that it disturbs and repels insects.

Three times a week, mix two tablespoons of coffee grounds in a litre of water and spray the liquid in the affected areas of the house.

5. White vinegar

Vinegar is a great product for cleaning the house and driving pests away. If ants have gotten into your kitchen, drive them away with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and hot water.

White vinegar works for most insects, because they can’t tolerate the smell and the acid it contains is toxic to them. If you want to get rid of pharaoh ants for good, this solution will do the trick.

6. Peppermint

Peppermint is a great way to keep ants out of your house. Place a few drops of peppermint oil on your window and door frames to deter them from entering.

You can also make small sachets of dried mint and attach them to the corners of your windows. If you notice that insects are still getting in through gaps in your house, it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a sealing and caulking service.

7. Baking soda

Baking soda is a product that works wonders when it comes to keeping ants out of your home. For best results, mix it in a bowl with sugar and sprinkle it around the areas where you’ve seen ants. The mixture releases a substance that is toxic to the insects, who will flee as soon as they detect it.

 

Do you have a question? Take advantage of a free consultation with our experts!

 

Non-natural methods for getting rid of ants

There are also non-natural products that can be used to get rid of ants. These products contain substances that are toxic to the insects and will result in full-scale extermination.

Note that these substances can also be harmful for residents, children and pets. We recommend leaving these types of solutions to the professionals.

8. White glue

White craft glue is an effective way to eliminate insects in your house. Simply drip a bit of glue along the path the ants usually take. You can also squeeze a few drops directly into the anthill.

9. Ant gel

Ant gel is a type of bait that is very effective against ants. Attracted by the sweetness of the gel, the insects will consume it and bring it back to the anthill. The poison in the gel will destroy the whole colony in no time.

Take care to keep this product out of the reach of children and animals.

10. A pyrethrin-based chemical repellent

If you want to exterminate common black ants, a chemical repellent may be your best solution. These products can be found on the internet or your local gardening store.

Opt for aerosol products to create a wider coverage area. You can spray the repellent outside your house to get rid of ants in your yard.

Call a professional ant exterminator

You may find that despite your use of natural and chemical methods, ants are still proliferating inside your home. The best way to get rid of them is to contact a professional exterminator who operates in your area.

Elite Pest Control has extermination experts who will be able to eliminate your ant problem once and for all. We use natural methods where possible, but above all, we focus on effective solutions for getting rid of ants and other pests.

Don’t hesitate to contact our team for an assessment or for more information.

Pascal Rock
Pascal Rock  
Director, Elite Pest Control
Founder and mainstay of Elite Pest Control, Pascal Rock has embodied expertise and dedication for over a decade. His training, acquired with expert mentors in extermination and pest decontamination, has shaped an outstanding professional. Under his leadership, a team of six seasoned technicians deploys the very best pest control strategies. Together, they ensure the peace of mind and safety of residents and professionals from Montreal to Quebec City, by offering fast, effective interventions, available at all times.