How to get rid of ants in your home
Do you have ants in your house?
Have you noticed small piles of sand near your skirting boards? Or is your kitchen floor teeming with ants? Ants indoors are a problem that many homeowners face – often when spring begins.
You’ll typically find them in the kitchen, where they seek leftover food. They can find their way in through even the smallest crevices and cracks, and once inside, it can be difficult to get rid of them. Fortunately, there are several ways you can tackle the problem.
2 methods for combating ants in your home
It can be difficult to combat ants indoors, but there are two main methods you can try.
Destroy their nests
Ants in your house can be a nuisance, and this is usually because they have found a place to establish a nest. An ant nest can be extensive and cover a large area, and this is where the ants return once they have scoured your home for delights. Therefore, it can also be effective to destroy the nest – even it seems a little macabre. But to get rid of them, you need to destroy the place in which the ants have settled. That way, you can be sure to completely get rid of ants in your house.
Use insect repellent
In addition to destroying the nest of ants, you can also try an insect repellent. This can be very useful if you cannot locate the ant nest or if it is hard to reach. The advantage is that the ants often carry the poison into the nest, which means you can combat the whole colony. In addition, the ant poison works quickly and you will often be able to see results within a few days.
Get rid of ants in your home by destroying their nest
Ants indoors can be a huge nuisance, and one of the most effective methods of getting rid of them is by destroying their nest. We have put together our best advice on how to do this and what you should be aware of before you start combating ants in your home.
- Locate the ant nest: The first step is to find out where the ants live. But that’s easier said than done. The best approach is to watch the ants. They often follow a specific route to and from their nest. It may also be necessary to look outdoors, and you may even need to break up your floor or inspect the house foundation.
- Destroy the ant nest: Once you’ve found the nest, you need to destroy it. If the nest is outdoors, you can dig it up with a spade. If the nest is indoors, you can use an insect repellent. You can also pour boiling water into the ant nest to be sure you get all the ants.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the nest over the next few days. If the ants are extra difficult to get rid of, you may need to use more boiling water or poison in the nest. Also keep in mind that the ants may have several nests. It may therefore be necessary to repeat the process in other places around your home.
Use poison to combat ants in your home
If you can’t locate the ants’ nest, or if it is hard to reach, you can use ant poison. It kills the ants quickly and efficiently, and you will soon be able to see results. You may also be fortunate that the ants carry the poison down into their nest, and the whole colony is destroyed. Here’s how to get started using ant poison:
Choose the right type of poison: First of all, it is important to choose the ant poison. There are different types on the market, such as sprays, ant bait cans, and ant powder. It’s a good idea to opt for a product with a long-lasting effect. This will ensure that the poison works for some time after you have used it.
Place the poison in the right places: Once you have chosen an ant poison, place it in places where the ants are active, such as in the kitchen or around doors and windows. It is important that you place the poison along the ants’ routes to ensure that they come into come across it.
Be patient: When using ant poison, you need to be patient. Although the poison works quickly, it can take a few days before you see a significant reduction in the number of ants in your home.
Work safely: When you use poison to combat ants in your home, remember to work safely. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep the poison out of reach of children and pets. Ant poison can be harmful if ingested or comes into contact with the skin, so it’s important to be careful.
If the ants are not gone after a week, you may need to use more poison or try a different method. You should also be aware that ant poison does not always solve the problem in the long term. Ants indoors can be a sign of a bigger problem – such as a hidden ant nest or small cracks in your house. Therefore, if you continue to have problems with ants in your home, it may be a good idea to seek help from a professional pest controller.
Prevent the ants from re-entering the house
Once you’ve gotten rid of ants in your home, it’s important to keep them from coming back. We’ve put together a few preventive measures you can take to keep new ants out of your home.
Keep your home clean: First and foremost, it’s important to keep your home clean and tidy if you don’t want ants in the house. Ants are especially attracted to food and sweets, so remember to clean the kitchen thoroughly and don’t leave food scraps out. Also empty the dustbin regularly.
Check cracks: You should also make sure to seal all cracks and holes that the ants can use to get in – both outside and inside. Ants are small and can easily find their way in through even the smallest openings. Therefore, check your home for any cracks – especially around windows, doors and other openings, and find out how to best seal the openings.
Limit the number of ants in your garden: Ants are not actually harmful to your garden, but it may still be a good idea to limit the number of ant nests. Ants often build their nest under tiles, stones, or in tree trunks, so by limiting the number of ants in these areas, you can minimise the risk of the ants finding their way into your house as well.
Use insect repellents preventively: You can also prevent ants from entering your house by using insect repellent. You can sprinkle some ant repellent in strategic places around your house to prevent the ants from re-entering. You can also place out a few ant bait cans where you tend to find ants in the house.
Home remedies against ants
There are many different types of insect repellents you can use to combat ants in your home, but there are also several old home remedies. Perhaps they can prove effective in the fight against the little pests in your home?
Cinnamon: One of the most well-known home remedies is to use cinnamon. Ants do not like the smell of cinnamon, and they will avoid areas where cinnamon has been sprinkled. You can therefore sprinkle a little cinnamon in the places you have seen ants.
Vinegar: Another home remedy is to use vinegar. Ants also do not like the smell of vinegar, and they tend to avoid areas where vinegar has been sprayed. However, it’s important to be aware that vinegar can damage certain surfaces, so test it on a small area first. The smell can also be quite potent.
Coffee grounds: Ants don’t like coffee grounds either, so by sprinkling coffee grounds around the house you can keep the ants at bay. Coffee grounds are also biodegradable, which makes them ideal to use outdoors.
It is important to keep in mind that the home remedies against ants are not necessarily a permanent solution. If you have a big problem with ants in your house, you may need to use other methods. But it’s worth a try, because it may just work in your home.
Learn more about the house ants
It’s always a good idea to know your enemy before going to war. The same applies when you combating ants in your home. There are many different species of ants, but some are more common than others in Danish homes. These are the black garden ant and the jet ant.
Black garden ants are the most common ants. Small, dark, and fast, they can quickly invade your home if they find a way in. Garden ants are particularly attracted to sugar and sweets, so if you have ants in the house, it is usually garden ants that have found their way into your kitchen.
Garden ants often build their nest under stones and tiles or in cavities in walls and floors. They can also build their nests in woodwork, and in fact, in the worst case, it can cause damage to your home.
Although the black garden ant is the most common ant in Danish homes, you can also encounter other species. The jet ant is another species that can invade your home. They are known for their characteristic orange scent. You may also encounter Hercules ants, which are very big – hence the name.
