Something's Bugging Me

[Kem]

Does anybody have any green tips for getting rid of ants?  I have my annual spring ant march going on around my kitchen window sill, and would love to have some alternative treatments rather than commercial ant sprays!  Thanks!

[Michelle]

Kem-

I read that the steps below can help. Maybe someone else has a better idea to share.

Step 1

Use a chalk line. Ants hate to cross a chalk line. Even sidewalk chalk will work. Draw a half circle shape at the place where the ants are entering into your home and this should keep them out.

Step 2

Mix a vinegar dish soap solution. In a spray bottle mix white vinegar, about 1 cup, and 1/4 cup of dish soap, such as dawn. Spray along the area where the ants are coming into the house.

Step 3

Find the ant trail that the ants are following to get into your house. Go outside at their point of entrance and sprinkle a line of salt. Ants will eat the salt, but it will make them super thirsty. The ants will then begin drinking water until they explode.

[Kem]

Thank you so much, Elizabeth! I'll give these a try.

Elizabeth said:

Kem-

I read that the steps below can help. Maybe someone else has a better idea to share.

Step 1

Use a chalk line. Ants hate to cross a chalk line. Even sidewalk chalk will work. Draw a half circle shape at the place where the ants are entering into your home and this should keep them out.

Step 2

Mix a vinegar dish soap solution. In a spray bottle mix white vinegar, about 1 cup, and 1/4 cup of dish soap, such as dawn. Spray along the area where the ants are coming into the house.

Step 3

Find the ant trail that the ants are following to get into your house. Go outside at their point of entrance and sprinkle a line of salt. Ants will eat the salt, but it will make them super thirsty. The ants will then begin drinking water until they explode.

[Abbyg]

If ants are on the floor, chalk lines are good. In window sills and door frames use bay leaves.

[Patrick Berkery]

Here's my homemade version of a Terro poison trap which is safe to use:

I use a dixie cup or my daughter's used apple sauce conatiner (cut down to 1/4 inch or so height).
Mix 1 tsp sugar with 1 tsp 50 Mule Train Borax, then mix in about 20 drops of water to make a slurry.
Then make a ramp with tape for the ants to enter.
Create a small trail of the slurry from the ant trail, up the ramp, and into the mix.
You can tape it to a wall or place on a shelf, but you want to be in the trail close to where they come out.
The ants will swarm and eat. They take the bait back to the nest and kill the queen.

It may take a few days and you may need to refresh or add traps, but I've had great success with this method.

[Penny]

I use the non-sugar from restaurants that comes in blue packets. Kills all kinds of ants. Sprinkle dry for house ants at point of entry dampen for red ants or the larger outside ants. They take it back to their next and it evidently drys them up. I don't use this for anything than ants as I figure if it kills ants I don't want to put it in anything I drink.

[Julia Yoder]

The ants are looking for water. Give 'em what they want, but outdoors. Place a jar lid of water/juice/fruit & vegi bits outdoors near your kitchen window. Check daily, so make sure it stays wet. Also, scatter a row of whole cloves indoors on your kitchen window sill; they don't like the smell and will avoid the area.

[Kem]

Penny said:

I use the non-sugar from restaurants that comes in blue packets. Kills all kinds of ants. Sprinkle dry for house ants at point of entry dampen for red ants or the larger outside ants. They take it back to their next and it evidently drys them up. I don't use this for anything than ants as I figure if it kills ants I don't want to put it in anything I drink.

[Kem]

I had no idea about the sugar packets! Thanks so much -- that will be an easy fix to remember and you're right, I don't want to ingest it anymore, either!

Kem said:

Penny said:

I use the non-sugar from restaurants that comes in blue packets. Kills all kinds of ants. Sprinkle dry for house ants at point of entry dampen for red ants or the larger outside ants. They take it back to their next and it evidently drys them up. I don't use this for anything than ants as I figure if it kills ants I don't want to put it in anything I drink.

[Kem]

Thanks so much! Cloves are a much better altermative than pesticides!

Julia Yoder said:

The ants are looking for water. Give 'em what they want, but outdoors. Place a jar lid of water/juice/fruit & vegi bits outdoors near your kitchen window. Check daily, so make sure it stays wet. Also, scatter a row of whole cloves indoors on your kitchen window sill; they don't like the smell and will avoid the area.

[DARLENE MOBLEY]

I used boric acid solution and sprinkled it in the corners and at the base of the floors.

[Kem]

Thanks -- I've never heard of that remedy, but I will certainly give it a try, too. Fortunately, my ants have subsided for this year, but I'm saving these tips for their inevitable return next near!

DARLENE MOBLEY said:

I used boric acid solution and sprinkled it in the corners and at the base of the floors.

[Cattie Neen]

I had used Pine Sol on the door stoop for years and never had ants, now we have had fire ants out in the yard, and I was told to use club soda. Since there tunnels can be 30 ft or more, the soda smothers them. Seems to work. Or they just moved away which is okay by me too.