It doesn’t matter if you live in a big house or a small house, in the city or in the country, keep a tidy home, or not. One thing all homes have in common in the spring is….ANTS. Ants and spring go hand in hand. Get over it, and deal with them.
Here are a few tips to help you rid your home of these uninvited guests.
Ants travel and make their way to food sources by following a pheromone trail. If you can detect the trail, eliminate it using one of these methods:
Use soapy water, an all purpose cleaner or a bleach solution to wipe the area where the ants have been travelling. Wipe away any dead ants by rinsing your sponge or cloth frequently in a sink of running water. Do this a few times to ensure the pheromone trail and area have been wiped a few times.
Mix a natural solution of equal parts cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the ants and the pheromone trail a number of times, and wipe away dead ants by rinsing your sponge or cloth in a sink of running water. The vinegar odour will be strong at first, but dissipate quickly.
Purchase commercial ant traps and place them in the pheromone trail area, and other areas in your home where you notice ants, usually doorways, kitchens and pet beds. Always read and follow the instructions on commercial ant traps. The active product inside will dry out over time, so make sure you know when you should be replacing the traps. (Usually one to three months.)
If you have a lot of ants, you may choose to vacuum them up, but it is best to kill the ants first using Borax or diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle either on and around the affected area first, then vacuum thoroughly. Make sure to empty your vacuum afterwards in case any ants are still alive.
So take heart in knowing you aren’t the only one battling the ants. Just make sure you win the war!