How do I get rid of ants in the house?
By waitress from Brick, NJ
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I was just reading yesterday tumeric repels ants.
Now, how to use is another method. You can get it cheaply at Asian or Indian markets, but it is a bright orange yellow and I use it for a dye. But I am thinking if you had sliding doors you might sprinkle it on the outside in the groove of the glass you never open.
Or maybe make it a paste with a bit of hot water and smear it someplace it wouldn't get tracked in.
Other than that, I know if you wipe with bleach where the ants travel, they will stay away for a while, then you need to do it again.
I was just reading yesterday turmeric repels ants. Now, how to use is another question. You can get it cheaply at Asian or Indian markets, but it is a bright orange yellow and I use it for a dye. But I am thinking if you had sliding doors you might sprinkle it on the outside in the groove of the glass you never open. Or maybe make it a paste with a bit of hot water and smear it someplace it wouldn't get tracked in.
Other than that, I know if you wipe with bleach where the ants travel, they will stay away for a while, then you need to do it again.
There is a product out that can be found at Wal Mart, KMart, Target, and any major hardware store. It's called Terro. It comes in a small bottle about maybe 3 inches tall, and I think the box it comes in is orange. It only costs a few dollars.
The small bottle will last a long time as you only use a drop at at time. It's very easy to use. First of all you keep watch and find out what route they are walking in your house. Then you simply take a small square--maybe 1" square--of paper towel and put it anywhere along their route. If you have small children pets you can find somewhere along their route that is not available to the children or pets. Once you've found a place to put it, simply put one drop of the Terro on the paper towel square.
Depending on how bad your problem is, many times by morning they will be all gone. The ants walk through the Terro, then carry it back to the nest where the queen and all the others eat it and die. This is the best solution to ants I have ever come across. And since you can be careful where to put it, it's safe for the family too.
I read that placing flour out around edge of counter tops etc. will help with ants. also real fine rusty-red ground pepper works well.
Will cinnamon work for keeping chipmunks and rabbits out of garden. The snakes eat all the bugs.
Combat makes an ant killing gel that comes in a syringe. You put a little bit in the ants path, I get it at Home Depot.
Or you can make your own. They like sweet stuff, so you can make a little sugar water or use syrup. Warm it in the microwave & add a little bit of Borax(find it in the laundry soap section), approx. 1/4 tsp Borax to 1T syrup. When it cools, put drops of it directly on the counter, floor, etc., or put some on flat pieces of paper or plastic & put it down. Don't kill the ants (as hard as that might be!), the point is for them to eat it & take it back to the nest to kill the others.They will converge on this stuff like you wouldn't believe-and that's good, in a day or 2 they will all be gone. But watch out, the eggs will hatch in a couple of weeks & you'll have to do it again, but if you catch them quick enough you can get rid of them before they lay more eggs! Works for roaches too.
Wipe down the area with paper towels soaked in white vinegar. Clean up the dead ants and wipe it down again with clean paper towels and the vinegar. After it drys, pour a little dry corn meal along the area where they are coming in. I had ants coming from under the carpet where the entry tile is. It took a very short time for it to work. Haven't seen them since. Knock on wood. GG Vi
If ants look like they are coming in via doorways, draw a line of chalk along the outside of the threshold. They will not cross this for some reason. Works for me! Another mixture similar to one mentioned already is mixing syrup and dry yeast. Good luck!
I also use the Terro. It does work but takes time and patience. You have to let the ants do the work. I am going to try the vinegar cleanup with the corn meal.
Thanks
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Because I have pets, I hate using toxic pesticides anywhere where they might be. I also hate the smell. The hot weather has brought out the ants in my house. I discovered that the vinegar/water mix I use to clean windows kills ants instantly. Other than wiping away the dead ants, I don't even have to mop or clean the area. The vinegar odor evaporates as the vinegar does, usually just a few minutes.
By Linda from Vista, CA
It's best not to let the ants in in the first place. If you can find out where they are making their way inside, sprinkle cinnamon there. They won't cross it.(07/27/2006)
By Susabelle
I hear that Alka Seltzer tablets will kill ants as well. Just put them where you find the ants and they will eat away and somehow it kills them. I hope this helps you out. (09/20/2008)
By Beth
