These tiny ants get attracted to the smell of food items and kitchen is the perfect source of food for them. You can often find these hardworking , disciplined ants marching towards kitchen in a trail.
To get rid of these tiny creatures from kitchen, you have to very careful in opting a suitable method. You cannot use any toxic or chemical means in kitchen because of food and other household utensils.
Here are some of the natural methods to get rid of ants using household ingredients.
Contents
Borax bait
Take borax and sugar in equal quantities and add some water to make a solution. Pour this solution on small cardboards and place them in different parts of kitchen.
Ants will eat this and take some to their nest which in turn will kill other members of them including queen.
Readymade borax baits are also available in the market if you find it cumbersome to prepare it at home. Be sure to replace this solution every two to three days since it may get dried up.
Lemon juice
Lemons as you know are acidic in nature, this acidity and their scent act as a good deferent to ant trails. Apply lemon juice to all the suspected entry points to kitchen.
You can even wipe the shelves and other crawling areas of ants in kitchen with lemon juice. This is effective as well as an easy way to get rid of ants from kitchen.
“It is not a one time remedial solution. Repeat the process for several days to get desired results. You can also clean and mop the floors with lemon juice , if mixed with warm water.”
Vaseline
Applying Vaseline on your face before bedtime will keep your skin fresh and moisturized. Another area where you can apply this cream before bed time is the kitchen.
Yes, just draw lines around food containers with this Vaseline, it will deter the ant trail due its slippery properties.
Diatomaceous earth
DE is made up of silica and silica is known for its moisture absorbing properties.DE cuts the outer skin of ants and dehydrates them to death.
And it can be used in kitchen also since it is a natural and toxic free substance. Shower DE in every nook and corners of kitchen be it cupboards slits , near drainage pipe of sink or any window panes.
“Buy only food-grade Diatomaceous earth since they are 100% organic and can be sprinkled in kitchen area”
White Vinegar
Vinegar is a strong disinfectant and a cleaning agent. Mixed with equal quantity of water , it can be used as a spray or as a cleaning solution.
Clean the shelves and countertop with a cloth dipped in vinegar solution. Do not forget to use it on regular basis for good results.
Coffee grounds
Did you know that residual coffee or most commonly called coffee grounds bear scent which is not liked by ants. So just put coffee grounds in a bowl and keep it near residual food or any other already identified crawling area in the kitchen.
Cloves and Cinnamon
Both these spices are found in three forms: whole spices, grounded and in oil form. To get rid of ants with the odor of these spices, you can use it in any form.
Just apply these at suspected places where they visit frequently. Repeated application will give better results.
Cornmeal and raw rice
Ants love to consume both the food articles but die after some time after eating them as they are too heavy for them to digest. Place them on a cardboard or a plate and leave it on the entry points. You will definitely see the results in few days.
Mint and Basil Leaves
If you are not having mint or leave plantation already at home then grow them. These herbs act as a strong repellant to ants.
Place these plantations near suspected entry points otherwise you can also place their leaves inside cupboards , window slits or wall cracks .
Preventive Methods
By following certain guidelines, you can prevent ant infestation in kitchen and once you have cleared infestation, it is very important to keep them away thereafter also. Having said that let’s find out these methods.
- Wash dirty dishes right after eating food since ants are attracted to any residual food. Don’t leave used dishes in sink for longer durations.
- Vacuum kitchen floor and counter tops after every few days.
- Left over food, cereals and sweet items should be kept in sealed containers.
- Regular cleaning of kitchen counters and shelves with soap water or vinegar will keep ants away from kitchen
Final Words
All the methods described above are natural as well as pocket-friendly. By maintaining cleanliness and hygiene of kitchen, invasion of ants can be controlled to great effect.
