If you have an ant problem in your Phoenix home, but you are concerned about using harmful chemicals to get rid of them, there are natural ways you can eradicate those pests without putting your family at risk.
Here are some natural ways to prevent and kill ants in your home without the use of harsh chemicals. Of course, you can always ask your trusted Phoenix ant exterminator for tips as well.
Cut Off Their Food Source
Keeping your home as clean as possible is key, especially in your kitchen, dining and pantry areas. Open food sources are the biggest way to attract ants, so it stands to reason that if you cut off their food source, you can prevent them from invading in the first place.
- Seal leftovers in reusable containers.
- Wipe up crumbs from countertops, floors, and underneath and around kitchen appliances. Don’t forget couch cushions, around garbage cans, and inside your pantry.
- Keep pet food in a sealed container. Clean up leftover food from around the bowl once your pet has eaten.
Get Rid of Scent Trails
Everyone has white vinegar in their house, so make use of natural products you already have on hand. This natural all-purpose cleaner can help remove ants from your home. First, check out the lines the ants are following to see where the scent trail is located. You can’t see the trail, but you can watch where they travel to come up with a good idea where it starts and leads.
Spray your countertops, walls, baseboards and window sills with a mixture of white vinegar and water to eradicate the scent trail.
Use Natural Remedies
There are many natural spices, herbs and essential oils that will kill or deter ants. You may want to try a few to see which one works best.
To keep ants away, try:
- Black pepper or cayenne pepper
- Coffee grounds
- Peppermint
- Chalk
To kill ants:
- Cornstarch
- Cinnamon leaf essential oil
- Boric acid
- Food-grade diatomaceous earth
Seal Entry Points
Due to their tiny size, ants can get into your home from the smallest of openings. All they need is a miniscule crack and they can gain entry. To ensure they don’t make it into your home, close off main entry points, such as cracks in the floorboards or torn window screens. You can’t find every entry point, of course, but start with the main ones for the best results.
Clean Up Your Landscape
Ants use tree branches or nearby vegetation to get into your home. This is why you should cut back overhanging tree branches, and trim shrubs near your siding to discourage ants from using these things as a springboard to your home.
Call an Ant Exterminator in Mesa AZ
If all else fails, call in the pros. A pest control technician knows the behavior of ants and knows how to get rid of them. Ants are social insects, working in organized patterns to gather intel. They do this by using pheromones to track and communicate. Your trusted ant exterminator in Chandler AZ has ways of finding their nests, which can be challenging to the average home owner. That’s why ant control is necessary in order to be ant-free.
Call Frontino Pest Control today for a consultation. We can treat key areas with bait that kills off not just the ants but their nests as well. We are located in Phoenix and can be reached at 602-338-9223.