Ants. No matter where we live, we all combat these unwanted invaders. Here at All County® Colorado Springs Property Management, we keep our properties safe from ants organically whenever we can, using home remedies. This not only keeps the environment safe, but protects our tenants’ children and pets. Here are 2 organic ways to control ants.
Vinegar Repellant
The strong smell of vinegar blocks ant pheromones, an ant’s main form of communication. This confuses the ants, keeping them out of your house. Mix 1 cup vinegar with 1 cup water in a spray bottle. If you see a trail of ants, follow it to the opening or crack they’re climbing through, and spray well. This will mask the scent trail.
Borax Ant Killer
When ants eat borax, it interferes with their digestive system and eventually kills them. But the ants last long enough to take it back to their nest and share it with other ants. It works for any type of ant. The important thing to keep in mind is that you need a variety of liquid and solid baits for it to work best.
Although it seems like ants will eat anything in sight, adult ants only consume liquids. But larvae can eat solid foods, and turn them into a liquid that the queen eats. By using a combination of solid and liquid bait, you’ll make sure to eliminate the entire colony.
Solid Borax Bait
Use solid bait to kill the colony. To create the bait, mix 1 part borax with 3 parts sugar. The borax will kill the ants, and the sugar will attract them to the borax. Shake the mixture well and spread it where you’ve spotted ants. It takes a week or so to kill the colony.
Liquid Borax Bait
Use the liquid bait to kill the adult ants. Here’s what you’ll need:
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons borax
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- A jar
- Cotton balls
- Shallow dishes
Shake borax and sugar in the jar until well mixed. Pour in water and stir until dissolved. Place cotton balls in the shallow dish and soak with borax solution, then place them anywhere you’ve seen ants. Use as many cotton balls as you need to address your ant infestation. Store extra solution in a cool, dry place.
That’s it!
Using a combination of vinegar and borax treatments, you should have your ant problem under control in no time. All this with the added benefit of little or no danger to the environment, your kids, or your pets. Make sure to repeat these steps at the first sign of ants returning.
We hope this All County® information about 2 Organic Ways to Control Ants was helpful. Call us at: (719) 445-7172 with any questions you may have about this article, or to talk to us about your property management needs. Let’s Rent Your Home Today!
