Learn How Ants Are Getting In
Learn How Ants Are Getting InWhenever you spot an ant, there is no doubt a vast army of them nearby. Ants rarely are alone. Just one ant is a sign that you either have an approaching ant infestation, or you are already in the midst of one.
Your first job is to work out how those ants are getting in. Look for small cracks in your property’s walls, gaps around the windows and doors, etc. Booking an ant inspection in Virginia can go a long way here.
Make Your Kitchen Less Appealing
Ants are in your home for a reason. They want food or water. Make sure that you deny them access to it.
Any food needs to be stored securely. Garbage bags need to be taken out quickly. Pet bowls shouldn’t be left out. You will be surprised at how quickly ants will give up bothering to come into your home when they realize that there just isn’t anything there for them.
You may still have a few stragglers, but this should deal with the bulk of the problem.
Sprinkle Pepper Around The Place
There are a lot of chemical ant treatments out there, but why not choose the natural remedies first? Sprinkling pepper around the place keeps ants at bay. They don’t like the smell.
If you don’t fancy having pepper in your home, then the following is also known for reducing ant populations in the kitchen:
- Coffee grounds
- Salt
- Curry powder
- Cinnamon
- Chalk
For the most impact, spread anything close to the areas where the ants appear to be getting in. You may also want to sprinkle some over your baseboards. Sure, you probably don’t want this stuff in your home long-term, but your goal is to eliminate ant populations now. You can look for longer-term solutions later on.
Spray The Ants
Fill up a spray bottle with one of the following:
- Lemon or lime juice
- White vinegar
- Dish soap mixed with water.
If you ever spot an ant, give them a spray. It will kill them. Of course, you can also use chemical spray products, but these are not always great to have around the kitchen.
Use Boiling Water
Boiling water is another great way to get rid of small ants in the kitchen. A couple of squirts on an ant and they will die.
If you are lucky enough to find the nest of the ants, then you can pour the boiling water inside. They will all perish.
Use Borax
We are in two minds about whether to recommend borax for use in the kitchen, but as long as you keep it away from the food then you should be fine.
Borax can be mixed with water and sugar to form a paste. When spread close to areas that the ants frequent, they will pick it up and take it back to their nest. The borax will poison the ants and can completely destroy a colony.
You may not want to use this method if you have pets or children in the house. It is toxic, and it really shouldn’t be ingested.
Ditch Plants
If you have plants in the kitchen that seem to be teeming with ants, then get rid of them. It is likely that the ants have set up home there. While you can ‘treat’ these plants, it generally isn’t going to be worth it.
Book An Ant Inspection in Virginia
No matter what you do, it is almost impossible to eliminate all ants. You may have eliminated a few stragglers, but there is probably a horde of them close by.
If you have a lot of small ants in your home, then we recommend booking an ant inspection in Virginia with a professional, like the team here at My Pest Pros. We can find the hiding holes of those awful ants and eliminate them.
Look For Long-Term Solutions From My Pest Pros
If you are looking for carpenter ants treatment in Virginia, then reach out to My Pest Pros today. Our team is there to provide a long-term solution for you.
Not only can our team help to eradicate ants that you already have in your home, but we can provide solutions to stop them from coming back. This means that you never have to worry about ants in your home again.