How to Get Rid of Ants

Baking Soda and Confectioner's Sugar

Combine equal amounts of baking soda and confectioner's sugar and place the mixture near ant trails and entry points in small lids or shallow containers. The baking soda reacts with the acid in ants' stomachs and kills them after a short period.

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Apply a thin layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth along ant pathways, entry points, and baseboards. This natural substance dehydrates ants on contact without affecting the rest of the colony. Keep the powder dry to maintain effectiveness.

Commercial Bait Gels

Apply ant bait gels in cracks or on small pieces of tape to keep them off surfaces. Most household ant species are drawn to sweet substances and these gels are formulated to appeal to their preferences. The bait is carried back to the colony resulting in colony collapse. For homes with pets or children, use fully enclosed bait stations.

Castile Soap Spray

Mix 1/4 cup of Castile liquid soap with 1 quart of water. This solution kills ants on contact and is particularly effective against scout ants. Spray directly on ants and along their trails to disrupt movement and deter them from returning. Note that it will not affect ants back in the nest.

Boric Acid Bait

Mix boric acid with sugar and water to create a homemade bait. Position it where ant activity is observed. Ants transport the substance back to their colony. Boric acid is toxic, so keep it away from children and pets. Refresh the bait regularly to maintain effectiveness.

Pesticide Spray

Apply pesticide sprays to areas where ants are frequently seen. These sprays provide immediate results by killing ants on contact and creating a residual barrier that prevents future infestations. Follow label instructions strictly and keep treated areas off-limits to children and pets until completely dry.

Pesticide Dust

Use pesticide dusts in hard-to-reach areas like wall voids, cracks, and crevices. The dust adheres to ants as they travel through treated areas. This method is particularly effective for ants that nest inside walls or other hidden spaces. Apply using a hand duster for even distribution.

Professional Pest Control

If your ant problem persists despite your best efforts, call in professional pest control services. Experts provide a thorough inspection, identify the type of ants, and use specialized treatments to eliminate the infestation. They also offer long-term solutions to prevent future ant invasions.

Deterrent Barrier

Place cinnamon, cayenne pepper, ground chalk, or cornmeal along door thresholds, window ledges, and baseboards. These natural repellents deter ants from crossing into your home.

Vinegar Spray

Fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water. Apply around potential entry points such as doorways and window frames. The strong smell of vinegar disrupts ant trails and makes your home less attractive to them.

Citrus Peel Powder

Dry citrus peels from lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges, then process into a fine powder. Distribute in areas prone to ant intrusion. The citrus scent is a natural ant deterrent.

Lemon Juice

Spray or wipe lemon juice on surfaces to remove pheromone trails and mask the scent of food. Placing lemon rinds in cupboards can also deter ants from taking up residence in your kitchen.

Essential Oils

Lemon eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, cinnamon, and citrus oils are effective ant repellents. Mix 1/4 cup of water with 7 to 15 drops of oil and spray along baseboards, windowsills, and entry points. Alternatively, place a few drops on cotton balls and tuck them into cabinets or pantry areas.

Black or Cayenne Pepper

Scatter finely ground black or cayenne pepper along baseboards and behind household appliances. The smell of pepper irritates ants and can keep them away from treated areas.

Coffee Grounds

Brewed coffee grounds can repel household ants. Sprinkle used grounds on disposable surfaces like index cards and place them near pet bowls and windowsills. Replace frequently as grounds lose potency when dry.

Keep Your House Clean

Quickly clean up spills, especially sugary liquids like honey, maple syrup, and soda. Store all food in airtight containers so scout ants cannot bring samples back to their colony. Daily sweeping and vacuuming in areas where food is prepared or consumed significantly reduces the chances of ants finding a meal.

Cut Off Food Sources

Keep food tightly sealed in containers or plastic bags. Wash plates and cooking utensils immediately after eating and clean crumbs from floors and countertops daily. Pay special attention to areas under kitchen appliances, couch cushions, and garbage pails. Remove pet bowls as soon as your pet finishes eating and clean them immediately.

Seal Entry Points

Use caulk to seal cracks or gaps in and around windows, doors, pipes, and your home's foundation. Ensure window screens are intact and mend any rips promptly. Reducing the number of entry points makes it significantly more challenging for ants to infiltrate your home.

Reduce Moisture

Regularly inspect your home for leaks and fix them promptly. Replace water-damaged materials. Direct moisture away from your home's foundation by fixing leaky gutters, pipes, and hose bibs. Ensure soil around the foundation is well-drained and clean up wet leaf litter and mulch near your house.

Eliminate Rotted Wood

Carpenter ants are particularly drawn to rotting wood. Maintain your deck and other wooden structures in good condition by keeping these areas dry and well-maintained to deter ants from establishing colonies inside your home.

Disrupt Scent Trails

Combine glass cleaner with liquid dish soap to disrupt the scent trails ants use for navigation. Spray where ants enter and travel, then wipe down to leave a slight residue that continues to deter new ants. This method confuses ants and prevents them from following established trails.

Lawn Damage

Ant hills smother grass and create bare patches. Ants that burrow underground can also disturb plant roots, leading to poor plant health and growth.

Structural Damage

Carpenter ants burrow in wood and can cause structural damage to your home, porch, deck, trees, or firewood supply.

Plant Damage

Some ant species chew on plant stems or trunks in search of sap, which can potentially kill plants or trees over time.

Indoor Invasion Risk

Outdoor colonies near your foundation significantly increase the risk of ants finding their way inside your home in search of food and water.

Sugar Ants

Drawn to sweet substances and commonly found searching for food sources near kitchens and outdoor dining areas.

Carpenter Ants

Known for nesting in wood, they can cause significant structural damage if they invade wooden structures around or inside your home.

Ghost Ants

Tiny and hard to see. They thrive in damp environments and have a strong preference for sweet foods.

Acrobat Ants

Named for their ability to raise their abdomen over their head. Typically nest in decaying wood and forage for both sweets and proteins.

Argentine Ants

Highly invasive ants that form extensive colony networks. Aggressive competitors that often displace native ant species.

Pavement Ants

Typically nest in pavement cracks or beneath stones and are known for their territorial aggression when defending their colonies.

Pharaoh Ants

Notorious for being difficult to control. Often found in warm, humid environments and are capable of nesting inside walls.

Boiling Water

Rake open the ant nest and pour in boiling water. Adding liquid dish soap to the boiling water enhances its effectiveness. Use caution on lawns, as boiling water can kill surrounding vegetation.

Vinegar Solution

Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then add a few drops of liquid soap. Rake open the ant nest and pour the mixture inside. Vinegar can also kill vegetation, so use it carefully on lawns.

Water Saturation Method

Drench the nest with a continuous stream of water for 15 to 30 minutes, thoroughly saturating the surrounding soil. Since ants can survive underwater for about 24 hours, repeat the treatment after 22 to 23 hours to ensure they drown.

Boric Acid Solution

Combine 3 tablespoons of sugar or peanut butter with 2 tablespoons of boric acid crystals and 2 cups of water. Boil for 6 minutes to dissolve, then cool and store. Place 2 to 3 tablespoons in a covered container with holes punched in it near the ant nest.

Chemical Ant Killers

Open the top of the ant mound and apply an ant-killing pesticide available in granules, dust, powder, or liquid form. Strictly follow product instructions. Some treatments act as slow-acting baits that ants carry back to the nest, while others provide immediate contact killing.

Diatomaceous Earth

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around ant nests and trails. It works by absorbing oils and fats from the ants' exoskeletons, causing them to dry out and die. This method is long-lasting as long as the powder remains dry and undisturbed.

Dish Soap and Water

Mix two ounces of dish soap per quart of water and spray on ants and their trails. This kills ants on contact by penetrating their exoskeletons and suffocating them, and also disrupts pheromone trails to prevent more ants from following.

Keep a Healthy, Fertilized Yard

Regular lawn care including proper fertilization and mowing maintains a robust yard that is less attractive to ants. A well-maintained lawn is less likely to have the damp, shaded areas ants prefer for nesting.

Relocate Waste Containers

Place trash cans and compost bins away from your lawn to reduce ant attraction. Ensure containers are sealed tightly to prevent ants from accessing food scraps and organic matter.

Remove Dead Branches and Debris

Promptly remove any dead tree branches, limbs, or other yard debris. These provide ideal nesting sites for ants and other pests, and are particularly attractive to carpenter ants.

Clean Up Spilled Food and Drinks

Immediately clean up any spilled food or drinks during outdoor activities. Sugary and sticky substances are particularly attractive to ants and can quickly lead to an outdoor infestation.

Patch Up Leaky Pipes

Inspect your yard for leaky pipes or other water sources like leaky irrigation and fix them promptly. Removing these moisture sources is one of the most effective ways to deter ants from your property.

Reduce Mulch and Rock Beds

If you have persistent ant problems, consider removing or reducing mulch and rock beds. These materials retain moisture and create favorable conditions for ants to nest and thrive.

Disturb Ant Mounds Regularly

Regularly inspect your yard for ant mounds and disturb them with a rake or shovel. This disruption discourages ants from settling in your yard and prompts them to move elsewhere.