Ants are persistent little buggers, so once they visit your home, they won’t leave willingly. The question is, do you want to battle the ants on your own, or will you call in a professional to rid your house of ants? Let’s look at your options.
Destroy the Nest (Carefully!)
Destroying the nest and the queen is the only way to be sure a colony will not spring back to life. Thanks to the eating habits of ants, baiting works well to destroy colonies long-term. Flooding the nest with boiling or soapy water works quickly, but you must eliminate every nest in, under, and near your home.
Don’t Feed Them!
If you don’t feed the guests, they will stop coming back. Pick up, sweep, and mop on a regular basis. Wipe down all surfaces with either a mild bleach solution or a vinegar solution. Store food in airtight containers, even if it is in the top cupboard. If they can smell it, they will search until they find it.
Seal Off Entryways
Figure out how the ants are getting in the house and seal it off. Silicone caulk, putty, and plaster provide permanent barriers when used correctly. Focus on possible entry points like utility lines, windows, vents, sinks, and baseboards.
Build Barriers
Barriers can also be created with chemicals. Diatomaceous earth, borax, salt, and commercial ant poisons can repel and kill ants.
Bait the Scouts
Once the ants are in, it’s time to eliminate the colony through its workers. Borax mixed with sweetener attracts ants and works to destroy them both inside and out, like with diatomaceous earth. Workers share the poison with others, who die off. Since ants eat their dead, the poison’s reach grows.