Ants are highly resilient insects that move quickly. They take up residence in locations where food and water are present and seldom leave unless forced to do so by you or an exterminator. One of the biggest misconceptions that the public holds is that you can whip up the perfect concoction of homemade deterrents and get rid of the problem for good.
Although some substances do repel ants, they don't address the underlying issues that attract them to a home or business. Without locating the source of the infestation, it's impossible to rid a property of the insects long-term. That's why home remedies most always prove ineffective when it comes to ant control.
Instead, it's best to call a pest removal professional who can assist with ridding the residence or business of ants effectively. In the long run, it's far less time-consuming and expensive to hire an exterminator to address the issue and identify the source of entry for the ants.
HOMEMADE DETERRENTS
Information on ant control using homemade deterrents can be found most anywhere, consisting of items readily available in your kitchen or local supermarket. You can pick up others at a local hardware store.
Mentioned below are some of the most common home remedies believed to be provide effective ant control.
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CHALK
Full of calcium carbonate, people promote this as an effective way to eliminate ant colonies inside the home or business. Drawing a line around the entire diameter of your property using the chalk can keep ants away.
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LEMONS & ORANGES
The strong citrus smell emitted from the fruit is said to be something that the insects despise. Mixing lemon with water and spraying it in areas where ants are visible is believed to get rid of the problem.
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SALT
Among the most coarse and abrasive seasonings available, salt stings the insects into submission. Ants do not like to feel pain, so they avoid the substance whenever possible.
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PEPPER
Sprinkling the seasoning around a home or business is said to be helpful because ants don't like the smell of pepper. It's a stronger smelling deterrent and one that people often use because they read about it online or in a printed publication such as a book or magazine.
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WHITE VINEGAR
Ants don't like strong odors. White vinegar sprayed on countertops and in locations where the insects are visible is said to remove their chemical trail, therefore thought to possess the ability to prevent the pests from invading your food supply.
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CINNAMON / CLOVE
The spice isn't just for seasoning oatmeal or toast. It's also one of the most promoted home remedies for getting rid of ants due to its distinctive smell that the pests despise.
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PEPPERMINT
The leaves and oil from peppermint plants are very unpleasant for ants because of their odor When planting a garden, many experts recommend using peppermint to keep pests out of your vegetables.
HOMEMADE PESTICIDES
Some homemade pesticides that people believe work include:
• Baking soda with powdered sugar • Salt and water • Cream of Wheat cereal • Equal sugar substitute mixed with apple juice
Many of these items are staples in kitchen pantries. Still, the ingredients cost money and can be ineffective in getting rid of ants that retreat into hiding places. As long as a pheromone trail is present, the insects will continue to invade spaces where food and drinks are accessible.
WHY THESE APPROACHES DO NOT WORK
Scientific evidence doesn't exist demonstrating the effectiveness of such homemade deterrents and pesticides. Even if able to kill on contact, they're only applicable to visible ants. Moreover, these approaches alone fail to address and resolve the insects' presence. As such, homemade remedies typically fail to provide long-lasting protection against future infestations.
WHY PROFESSIONAL ANT CONTROL IS REQUIRED
Professional ant control helps you achieve several things.
Firstly, an experienced pest control provider is able to identify the ant species accurately. Trying to treat an ant problem without knowing what type of ant you're dealing with can be counterproductive.
Secondly, an exterminator can locate and destroy both the ant colony and its nests thereby eliminating their hiding places.
Finally, a pest professional can locate the entry points used by ants to find their way into the home or business.
HOW WE TREAT FOR ANTS
Ants are the number one pest control issue and can prove virtually impossible for home and business owners to solve on their own. Ending an ant infestation typically requires proper ant identification, locating and destroying the nest or colony, as well as the use and application of specialized products.
As such, it is not advisable for property owners to attempt to eradicate an ant infestation without assistance from a professional pest control provider.
