How To Get Rid of Ants In House? 4 Easy Ways To Kill Ants
Ants in the house might be a really irritating problem. They are the small insects everyone wants to get rid of. At the beginning of summer, they enter our houses and although they are not very dangerous, they might be quite tiresome. Ants in the house are troubling especially in the kitchen, where they can access every sweetened product. Ants are also attracted by the dampness in the bathroom. How to kill ants in the house? Many homeowners decide to use an insecticide, but because of the substances used in those products, they might be dangerous for pets and people. Choose effective, natural ways to kill ants in the house.
Ants in the house - not all are the same!
Ants are the insects from the family of hymenopterans. Not all of them, however, are the same. A lot of species demonstrate specific behaviours and different appearance. The insects typically build their nests in form of soil mounds.
That is not the only solution they use. They can also nest under the floor planks or right by the water drain. A single ant nest might contain up to ten queens laying eggs. In Europe, there are over 100 of ant species, but not all of them pose a threat to home interiors. Ants one can typically encounter in the house are:
- the Pharaoh ant,
- the carpenter ant,
- the black garden ant,
- the red wood ant,
- the European Amazon ant.
Other popular ant species
The ant species mentioned above are the most popular ones. But depending on the region, other types might appear as well. Other most common ant types include:
- the shining guest ant,
- Tetramorium atratulum,
- Formica pressilabris,
- the blood red ant,
- Manica rubida,
- Messor structor.
Are you wondering what are the differences between these ants? They all have characteristic body shapes. Some of them are covered with distinct elements.
Which ants are most likely to appear in a house?
Pharaoh ants are one of the most popular ants living in houses. They usually build several nests, with a queen laying eggs in each one. Their fast reproduction is a big minus. Such ants living in the house eat practically everything containing protein or sugar. Unfortunately, the insects contaminate the food they find and spread viruses.
How to get rid of ants in the house? Remember this basic fact
Ants appear in the house when they search for food. The first method to kill them is putting all food products in air-tight containers. Thanks to this, the problem should be resolved by itself. It is also recommended to clean the kitchen after every meal, so that no food leftovers are left on the countertops. You should also invest in a good, air-tight trash bin.
What might be the reason for ants in the house?
Ants might get into the house through slits by the windows, cracks on the walls or through the sewage system. Consider sealing those places with plaster or silicone.
It might be not enough, however. If this is the case, try some home remedies to kill ants in the house. You don’t have to use chemicals.
How to get rid of ants in the house? Home remedies to kill ants
You can fight with ants in your house using natural methods or chemicals. There are four proven natural ways to kill ants, thanks to whose you will remove the ant infestation in your house.
Lemon and water to kill ants in the house
Lemon juice mixed with water is a perfect natural way to kill ants. The sour taste and smell can effectively repel the insects, and as a result - get rid of the ants. Keep in mind that the mixture works for a relatively short time, so if you want to achieve the right result, you need to spray the strategic spots at least once a day.
Garlic and water for ants in the house
Another effective method to kill ants in the house involves a mixture of water and garlic. Garlic smell is very intense, so it’s a perfect ant repellent. How to prepare the mixture?
Crush the garlic, put it in a jar of water, close it and set aside for 24 hours. Afterwards, put the solution in a pot and let it simmer for 15 minutes. After it cools down, use it to spray the spot the ants appear in your house.
How to get rid of ants using citruses?
Citrus fruits are perfect ant repellents. Orange peel contains a toxic for those insects substance. Chop it evenly or grate it and spread at the spot the ants appear in the house.
Getting rid of ants in the house using rice
The fourth method to kill ants in the house is rice. Apparently, white rice is quite an effective natural way to kill ants. They carry the grains to their nest. After some time, the rice starts to rot and get covered with mould. It is very toxic for the insects.
Ants in the house are usually not harmful for humans, however, their presence is not welcome. Thanks to those home remedies, you can effectively get rid of ants in your house without risking your own health.
Ants are not the only insects you can find in your house or garden. Learn how to repel mosquitoes and get rid of aphids.
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