Good Lifestyle

Seeing ants inside the house is never a good sign. When there is one, there are probably many more hiding places in the wings, just waiting for you to leave a spare crumb during your evening cleaning. However, you don't need Share your space with pests . Read more to get the best advice from pros to get rid of ants in the kitchen. There are simple remedies that you can use and strategies to avoid the problem in the future.

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Why are there ants in my kitchen?

Ants are attracted to the same things as humans are: "food, water and shelter", says Nicole Carpenter , Chairman of the Pest Prevention Service Black devastation . "It's all about survival for them, and a kitchen is a place that offers the three things they need to prosper."

The pros point out that the presence of ants does not mean that your space is "dirty" by all means. "Despite our perception of cleanliness, there are inevitably sources of food and water that ants will discover and consume," explains Scot Hodges , Entomologist certified ACE and vice-president of professional development and technical services to Arrow exterminators . "By finding a food source, they mark a path with pheromones, communicating its location to other ants - this marked path is what we generally observe as a line of ants."

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14 methods to get rid of the ants of the house for good

1. Boric acid

This is a proven measure to get rid of certain types of workers' ants - and that that professionals use all the time. Among DIY hacks, it's your best bet.

"Boric acid serves as a common active ingredient in many ants, and when consumed, ants transmit it, causing the disappearance of many members of the colony," explains Hodges. "Its slow action nature takes 48 to 72 hours to eliminate ants."

However, you will have to apply it correctly. If you use too heavy a hand, ants will simply avoid it, which will make them move elsewhere and not kill the colony of ants.

"The effectiveness of boric acid lies in its application on cracks, crevices and empty areas, in small thin quantities," explains Hodges. "The final result should not be visible; otherwise the ants will probably be clear."

2. Essential oils

Essential oils cannot kill ants, but they dissuade them - more, they are sure for humans, pets and the earth.

"Just add a few drops of essential oil with strong scents, such as peppermint, tea tree or lemon eucalyptus oil, in a bottle of water, to mix it, then to Spray in all areas where ants have been seen, focusing on the potential entry of points such as cracks, holes and gaps, especially in the ground, "explains Carpenter.

"I also like to use lemongrass oil because, in addition to being effective in detering ants, this oil is excellent mosquito repellent , so that you can kill two birds with a stone using lemongrass oil, "she adds.

3. Distilled white vinegar

This method could kill certain ants and dissuade others, but it will not eliminate them completely.

"The ants found dragging inside a house are a small part of the real colony, generally located outside - and when ants are inside, they find a food source and bring it back in the colony, "explains Kevin Hawthorne , certified council entomologist Terminix service .

"You can use distilled white vinegar to wipe the ants inside, as on the counters, and it will kill the ants that are contacted and will help eliminate the pheromone path they use to locate the food source "He adds.

However, the other ants of the colony may be able to find another path to this source of food.

4. Baby powder

The texture of this product makes it a useful defense against annoying ants.

"Baby powder effectively absorbs moisture, causing dehydrates and death of ants," explains Carpenter. "In addition, as many baby powders are based on talc and consist of fine particles, it can make it difficult for ants to cross the powder area, which makes them difficult to move and reach sources of food."

Sprinkle it on the entry points for the best effects.

5. Terre de diatomées

This powder substance is made of fossilized algae and it is an effective way to ward off the ants in the kitchen. Like baby powder, it dehydrates the ant.

Spread a thin layer on all the entry points and all the cracks where you have seen ants. You should see a relief within 24 to 48 hours, but you may need to repeat the process if the ants find another route to their food source.

6. Café Caris

"There is no particular property of coffee grounds that would dissuade ants better than any other product with a spicy smell - whether vinegar, essential oil or coffee grounds, they all work By masking the perfume paths of ants and making them more difficult to find food sources, "explains Carpenter. "The coffee grounds will not kill ants but can make them want to leave your space and find another palace to live."

Take your used coffee grounds and spread them in the areas where ants enter your home. "This method is inexpensive, ecological and safe for humans and pets," adds Carpenter.

7. Cayenne pepper

The strong perfume of Cayenne irritates the ants, so they will try to avoid it. He also disrupts their pheromone path. You can sprinkle it with the input points or mix it with water in a spray bottle and spray the path and the entrance points.

8. Agruus

This is another way of throwing ants on their fragrant path. Boil the ass in the water, add the mixture to a spray bottle and spray the whole colony and the entry points.

9. Borax

It is the same agent as boric acid. Carpenter has a creative way to use it to create bait.

"Mix the borax with something sweet like sugar water or honey," she explains. "Sugar attracts ants, while Borax acts like a poison which they wear in the colony, affecting other ants, including the queen."

Just make sure it is out of reach for children and pets.

10. Liquid detergent

This hack is common for treating the plants infested with parasites. He kills ants but will not distance them for good. "The soap obstructs their spiracles (holes on the sides of their abdomen which they breathe), making them suffocate," explains Hawthorne.

"However, simply using soapy water to clean the surfaces will not kill the ants that crawl on this surface," he notes. "Again, you can wipe the ants with soapy water and this will kill these particular ants, as well as potentially eliminate their pheromone path, but the colony will not be assigned to lose a few individual ants."

11. Peppermint

Like other essential oils, peppermint disrupts the navigation of ants. Carpenter suggests adding a few drops to a spray bottle with water and vomiting it on the entry points.

12. Cinnamon

"Cinnamon has a strong smell that makes it difficult for ants to navigate and find food sources," says Carpenter. "The owners can use it like any other repellents, simply by placing them in areas where they have seen ants; if you have cracks and holes in windows, doors or walls, strategically put the Cinnamon in these areas could help prevent ants from entering your home. "

She adds that cinnamon powder is more effective as a dissuasion of ants than cinnamon sticks: "It is easier to spread in larger areas and places that are difficult to reach where cinnamon sticks are barely possible."

13. Boiling water

This method will not help to eliminate ants in the kitchen, but you can use it to destroy the anti -out nest if you can find it. Just boil the water and pour it on the mound. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

14. Salt

To make boiling water even more effective, add a few tablespoons of salt to the mixture, according to Tick .

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Additional steps to take

Seal all entry points

Carpenter says that it is crucial - if the ants cannot enter your home, then they cannot infest your kitchen.

Check your inside plant

If you notice that ants flock to your potted plant or fresh bouquets, you may have to get these things out. Peonies and roses tend to attract ants. They are also known to tackle a tour of everything you bring about the producers' market.

Keep the kitchen clean

"Make sure that counters, stovetops and other surfaces are clean and free from food products; store foods in [hermetic] containers; immediately clean up overturned food and ensure that animal feed areas are clean and exempt overturned food, "said Hawthorne. "Finally, make sure that the trash can be removed if necessary, and the trash is clean and free from debris accumulated at the bottom."

Do not leave the hanging food

This one is tall - if there is food, the ants will find it. If there is nothing to support them, they will find a new place. Do not forget: this includes pet food.

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Types of ants to look for

The type of pest in your kitchen says a lot about the infestation of ants and if you will need professional help as soon as possible.

"In many cases, you can collect specimens (more, the better it is) and visit a local company to fight pests for identification," explains Hodges. "You can also go to a local county office, if they are available because they can help identification."

Hodges notes that online resources can be useful, but a magnifying glass may be necessary to identify certain species of common ants.

Sugar ants

They nest outside and come inside to find candy.

Ghost ants

They are super small and pale in color, which makes them difficult to spot.

White foot ants

They are generally after candies and water and take their names from their white legs.

Fatty ants

It is an invasive species in the United States.

Acrobate ant

These ants nest in rotten trees and wood.

Fragrant houses

These guys take their name from the rotten smell they emit when crushed. They are generally attracted to sugar -rich foods, often feeding on a puceron honeydew and nectar outside.

Pavement ants

It is one of the most common ants in the United States and is often seen in the cracks of the sidewalks, hence its name.

Frames of frame

Be careful if you see them. "They can indicate underlying structural problems such as water leaks or damage caused by humidity, which could be more important than the simple presence of ants," explains Hodges.

Red ants

These require professional help. "In the case of fire ants and other species of ants that bites and / or bite, it would be a good idea to contact a professional to prevent children, pets and adults from being bitten or stung" , explains Hodges.

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What if I still have ants?

According to Hodges, decide when calling a professional depends on you. "Each person has a threshold different from the number of pests they can tolerate-for some, they can see some, for others, it can be hundreds or thousands," he said. "Generally, if you are continuously encounter problems with ants, it may be advisable to consult a professional."

Conclusion

The way you are going to get rid of ants in the kitchen depends on the level of infestation, the type of ant and the supplies you have at hand. Although products like boric acid and borax can work better, a number of things can help limit the presence of ants. For more home improvement tips, visit Better life again soon.