20 Effective Methods on How to Get Rid of Ants in the House

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A few tiny visitors can turn your home into an unwanted colony, but there are plenty of simple ways to kick them out for good. From natural repellents to traps, we’ll cover a range of effective methods to help you reclaim your space and keep those ants at bay.

Natural Ant Repellents Using Essential Oils

Bottles of tea tree and peppermint essential oils surrounded by fresh mint leaves.
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Essential oils can be a great way to keep ants away from your home. Oils like peppermint and tea tree have strong scents that ants dislike. Just mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and spritz around entry points to help keep those little invaders at bay!

Creating a Vinegar Solution for Ant Control

A spray bottle filled with a clear vinegar solution, placed on a countertop with scattered ants nearby.
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Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. This simple solution can disrupt ant trails and deter them from entering your home. Just spray it around entry points and watch those little invaders disappear!

Setting Up Ant Baits for Effective Elimination

Ant baits and spray on a kitchen counter .
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Using ant baits is a smart way to tackle those tiny invaders in your home. Place the baits where you’ve seen ants, and let them take the bait back to their colony. Over time, this will help eliminate the entire nest, giving you a more permanent solution.

Employing Boric Acid for Ant Management

A bowl of white powder with ants around it on a wooden surface.
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Boric acid is a handy tool for tackling ants in your home. Just mix it with sugar and water to create a bait that attracts them. Once they consume it, they’ll take it back to their nest, helping to eliminate the colony from the source.

Maintaining Cleanliness to Deter Ants

A clean kitchen with wooden cabinets showing a clean countertop.
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Keeping your home clean is a simple way to keep ants away. Make sure to wipe down surfaces and sweep up crumbs regularly. A tidy kitchen is less inviting for these tiny intruders!

Using Soap and Water to Disrupt Ant Trails

A hand holding a spray bottle filled with soap and water, spraying on a surface with ants.
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Mixing soap and water in a spray bottle can be a simple way to tackle ants in your home. Spray the mixture directly on the ants and their trails to break down their scent markers. This method not only helps eliminate the ants you see but also disrupts their communication, making it harder for others to follow.

Using Diatomaceous Earth as an Ant Barrier

Diatomaceous earth sprinkled on the floor with ants nearby.
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Diatomaceous earth is a natural way to keep ants at bay. Just sprinkle it around areas where you see them coming in. This fine powder damages their exoskeletons and helps keep your home ant-free.

Sealing Entry Points to Prevent Ant Invasion

A close-up of a caulking gun sealing a crack in the wall to prevent ants.
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One of the easiest ways to keep ants out is by sealing up any entry points around your home. Check for cracks in walls, gaps around windows, and spaces under doors. A little caulk or weather stripping can go a long way in stopping these tiny invaders from making themselves at home.

Employing Ultrasonic Pest Repellers

Ultrasonic pest repeller plugged into a wall
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Ultrasonic pest repellers can be a handy tool for keeping ants at bay. These devices emit high-frequency sounds that are unpleasant for pests but inaudible to humans. Just plug them in, and let them do the work while you enjoy a pest-free home!

Planting Ant-Repelling Herbs Around the Home

A vibrant garden with various herbs and flowers, showcasing mint and other plants.
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Planting herbs like mint, basil, and rosemary can help keep ants at bay. These plants have strong scents that ants dislike, making your garden and home less inviting for them. Plus, they add a lovely touch to your outdoor space and can be used in your cooking!

Creating a Citrus Spray to Repel Ants

A bottle of citrus spray with oranges and lemons on a marble surface.
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Citrus is a great natural way to keep ants away. To make a simple spray, mix water with lemon juice or orange peels in a spray bottle. Just spray it around entry points and watch those ants steer clear!

Utilizing Baking Soda and Sugar as a Trap

A bowl filled with sugar and baking soda surrounded by ants.
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Mix equal parts of baking soda and sugar to create a simple ant trap. The sugar attracts the ants, while the baking soda disrupts their digestive system. Place this mixture in areas where you’ve seen ants, and watch them disappear!

Using Cucumber Slices to Deter Ants

Cucumber slices placed in a patio to deter ants.
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Cucumber slices can be a fun and natural way to keep ants away. Just place them in areas where you see ants, and their scent will help deter these little critters. Plus, it’s an easy method that doesn’t involve harsh chemicals!

Setting Up a Borax and Sugar Mixture

A bowl with a mixture of sugar and borax surrounded by ants.
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Mix equal parts of borax and sugar in a bowl. The sugar attracts the ants, while the borax helps eliminate them. Place the mixture in areas where you’ve seen ants, and watch them carry it back to their nest.

Implementing a Salt Barrier to Block Ants

A close-up of ants on a wooden floor with salt sprinkled as a barrier.
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Using salt as a barrier can be a simple and effective way to keep ants out of your home. Just sprinkle a line of salt at entry points like doorways and windowsills. The ants won’t cross it, helping to keep your space ant-free!

Utilizing Coffee Grounds as an Ant Deterrent

A close-up of scattered coffee grounds on a surface.
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Coffee grounds can be a simple way to keep ants at bay. Just sprinkle them around entry points and areas where you’ve seen ants. The strong smell can deter these little invaders from coming inside your home.

Using a Natural Ant Spray with Dish Soap

Natural ant spray made with dish soap and water, with ants on a surface.
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A simple mix of dish soap and water can be a great way to tackle those pesky ants. Just combine a few drops of dish soap with water in a spray bottle and give it a shake. Spray directly on the ants and their trails to help eliminate them naturally and keep your home ant-free!

Creating a Peppermint Water Spray

A spray bottle filled with peppermint water next to a pot of fresh mint leaves.
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Mixing peppermint oil with water makes a great spray to deter ants. Just combine a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and shake it up. Spray the mixture around entry points and areas where you see ants; they dislike the strong scent!

Employing Professional Pest Control Services

A pest control professional in protective gear treating an ant infestation outside a house.
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If you’re tired of battling ants on your own, calling in the pros might be the way to go. They have the tools and knowledge to tackle even the toughest infestations. Plus, they can offer tips to help keep your home ant-free in the future!

Understanding Ant Behavior for Effective Control

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Ants are social insects that work together in colonies, making them efficient at finding food and shelter. They leave scent trails to guide others to resources, so if you spot one, more might follow. Knowing their habits helps you choose the right methods to keep them out of your home.