The first step is making sure the perimeter of your home is hard for ants to get in through. Check around your house for cracks and crevices that they might be able to use as entry ways. Make sure your doors and windows seal all the way shut, without any holes or tears in screens. Ants are tiny and therefore can find a million different ways into your home, but if you cover the most obvious areas you will one step ahead. For entryways that can’t be sealed shut, you can apply talc and substances such as vinegar, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Be careful when going this route though if you have small children or pets in the home. Some of these substances may be harmful if ingested.
The next step is killing off the ants that have already gotten into your home. Our homes can easily become overrun by chemicals, so starting with the least harmful approach first is a good idea, leaving heavy chemicals as a last resort.
Start with the trails of ants that you see out in the open. Spray them with soapy water, or all-purpose cleaner. Then you just need to wipe them up and dispose of them. If you see a lone ant by itself, get rid of it as well. Colonies often send out one ant to find a source of food, so even if one ant makes it back to the others, you will soon have a much bigger problem on your hands.
After getting rid of the ants you can see, it’s time to use bait for the rest that can be hiding in tiny places. Boric acid powder or borax is commonly used and effective bait. Once the ant trail has found and ingested your bait, they will take it back and spread it among their colonies, killing them off at the source. Always be careful when using borax, as it can be harmful to children and pets.
If you’ve tried all these methods and are still dealing with an infestation, it’s time for a more heavy approach: foggers. Foggers will release a strong chemical throughout the air in your home, killing ants off once and for all. Because these chemicals are dangerous for humans to breathe in as well, you won’t be able to stay at your house while the fogger is going. If you have children in your home this is probably not the option for you since they are much more susceptible to falling ill from exposure. Because this is a heavy-duty approach that involves airborne chemicals, it’s always best to consult a professional for a consultation beforehand.
After you’ve rid your place of ants, the last thing you need to do is prevent them from coming back. The best way to do that is to keep a clean house. Wipe down counters regularly, especially after you’ve prepared food or had a spill. Store all of your dry foods in airtight containers so that no pests can make their way inside. Never let dirty dishes sit overnight, and keep your floors as crumb-free as possible. Finally, keep an eye on your pet’s food and water. This is often overlooked and can be a major attraction for ants.