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Seeing ant trails walking in one lane of your kitchen may generally cause you a headache. Wiping them out simply may let them come back after a few moments. Yet, you don’t want to use harmful insecticides to kill them off. Fortunately, there is a natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen that may be there for you to the rescue.
Types of ants invading the kitchen
Initially, when you want to permanently get rid of ants in the kitchen in a natural way, it is really essential to identify first the type of ants roaming around it. Basically, this is due to the fact that different ant species require various food supplies and create colonies in locations different from the other. Moreover, they also demand different techniques and natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen.
The black ants
Generally, the black ants are the odorous house ants. This is the most common type of ants encountered inside the house. Basically, black ants are easy to recognize through the earthy odor that is typically emitted once a large colony is present.
Usually, the reason why black ants enter the house, especially the kitchen is because they look for water, sugary foods, and starchy foods. However, black ants colony is located outdoors.
Sugar Ants
Obviously, black ants and sugar ants are very confusing. Yet, there are still major differences between them. Even though both of these ant types are looking after those sweet foods and starches, sugar ants are more likely to look for food at night until dawn. Moreover, they are always looking for nectars as their main source of food.
Carpenter Ants
Basically, carpenter ants invade the house in the most severe way. Aside from that, they are the largest among the ant species. Normally, they like to feed over rotting wood. Due to this, the nest of the carpenter ants is located inside the house foundations like moist woods of decks and patios.
Ways to get rid of ants based on their types
Getting rid of black ants
Usually, you need a solid bait to target the colony of black ants. Better to seal the point of entry afterwards. Once you determine their point of entry inside the house, it is time to put a semi-solid bait either homemade or a commercial product. Basically, a honey-boric acid mix is the best example of a homemade semi-solid bait for this ant type.
Getting rid of sugar ants
Basically, sugar ants like syrups and nectars, so it is better to use integrated baits using this kind of ingredients. Subsequently, put the semi-syrup mixture at the point of entry of the ant colony at an overnight period. Finally, wipe indoor plants with cold water which serves as a preventive measure.
Getting rid of carpenter ants
Compared to other species, carpenter ants do not have the ability to carry the bait back to their nest. Meaning to say, using bait repellents to get rid of carpenter ants is not a good choice for this ant species. That’s the reason why there is a great need for an exterminator.
Natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen
Basically, ants penetrate the house and other parts, most especially the kitchen through cracks on the floor, doors, and windows. Usually, they enter the kitchen because they are in search of something that they might use to restock their food supply. The worst thing is killing a single ant doesn’t solve the issue. In fact, you just have to be aware that the presence of one ant means a colony is just around the corner.
Moreover, ants normally attract other ant species by creating a trail of chemicals. Basically, this chemical is known as pheromones. Sadly, even if you wipe the ant colony, they will still come back on your kitchen countertop. They will still reproduce because the egg-laying queen resides within the ant colony thus continuously sending worker ants in your kitchen.
Luckily, here are the steps for a natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen.
Natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen – step 1: Look for the entry point
Generally, identifying the point of entry of ants is very easy to locate. You just simply need to observe those ants inside your kitchen even for a minute and check where they are coming from.
Moreover, look for kitchen floor cracks, torn window screens, or small openings in the kitchen cabinet. Once you’ll get the entry point of the ant’s colony, remember not to seal it yet.
Natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen – step 2: Find the nest
Basically, the next thing to do like the natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen is to find their nest. Just wait for the ants to come back on their source. Moreover, try to locate the place that they’ll go once they exit from the kitchen.
Further, monitoring the movement of the ants’ colony may lead directly to their nest which holds the whole colony. Basically, the locations of the nest rested in two major points: the outdoors and indoors. Generally, outdoor locations are usually the ground and the trees while the indoors are in old-damaged cabinets and moistened walls.
Natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen – step 3: Target straight to their nest
Generally, once you determine the ants’ nest outdoors, better to destroy it immediately. One natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen is to pour boiling water on the nest for about half-gallon. Basically, this will make the ant colonies collapse and kill them.
Meanwhile, when the colony is located in an indoor part of the house, put boric acid powder on the location with a thin layer. Place it directly on the nest. Gently use a plastic squeeze bottle in order to destroy the ants.
Moreover, in the case of powder leftover, store it in a place that is hard to reach by pets and children. Subsequently, using a vacuum with a hose attachment, destroy the nest from the wall. Afterwards, immediately take away the vacuum bag contents outside.
Helpful Tip: Over the empty space, reapply the boric acid and re-construct any wall damage.
Natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen – step 4: Kill the ant colony through traps
Basically, in case you do not see the nest of the ants or you don’t want to destroy it, it is advisable to kill the colony using an ant trap. Moreover, you can also make your own homemade ant trap as a natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen. Generally, homemade ant traps are a small plastic bottle that is sealed.
Additionally, this ant trap is made of borax with an amount of one teaspoon. Aside from that, it also has a corn syrup that is usually a quarter-cup. Primarily, place the homemade ant trap near the colony’s entry point within the kitchen.
Generally, the moment the worker ants enter into their colony, they automatically carry the chemicals that they get from the trap into their colony. Primarily, the chemicals will be fed to the queen and the younger ants. Subsequently, this will result in the killings of the entire colony for a few days.
Helpful Tip: Take away all the food sources within the area of the ant traps so that distractions may not be present.
Natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen – step 5: Destroy all the remaining ants
Primarily, once you’ve killed the ant colony, stray ants over the kitchen surfaces may be seen. Usually, a natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen is to spread distributed amounts of diatomaceous earth. Moreover, keep in mind that it must be of a food-grade level.
Basically, this substance will dehydrate and kill the ants when it has been sprinkled over its pathways. Additionally, another natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen is the use of the soapy solution. Simply pour one tablespoon of dish soap into 12 ounces of water.
Generally, this soapy solution will immobilize the ants. Afterwards, better to wipe them away using a paper towel.
Natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen – step 6: Cover the entry point of the ant’s colony
Usually, once you determine the entry point of the ant’s colony, it is better to cover it. This is a natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen and to avoid new ant invasion within the kitchen.
Basically, use caulk as a sealer for fixing and sealing the cracks around windows and doors. Meanwhile, a joint compound must be used for covering tiny drywall damages.
Getting rid of ants in the kitchen using natural ant removal treatments
Below are some of the things that can get rid of ants in the kitchen in a natural way.
Vinegar
Generally, sprinkling some amounts of vinegar over the kitchen countertops may help to take away the ant pheromone trails being produced. Moreover, to get an effective result, spray vinegar many times in a day for about a week.
The mixture of boric acid and honey, peanut butter, or powdered sugar
Basically, the sweetness of the food will mainly attract ants. Aside from that, boric acid serves as a poison that is slowly releasing its power over time. The mixture will be carried by ants into their colony where it should be taken into effect.
Cucumber peels with lemon juice
Generally, the fumes emitted by citrus fruits and cucumbers cannot be withstood by ants. Moreover, these fruits and veggies are a big help as a natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen by squeezing some amount of juice into the cracks, windows, or ants point of entry. Additionally, you could also place the peel around the nest location.
Turmeric or cayenne powder
Basically, by simply sprinkling cayenne or turmeric powder into the ants’ nest or prospected area may prevent them from going back into it.
Dishwashing liquid
Generally, you can use this by spraying a mixture of the dishwashing liquid soap and water into the cracks of floors, walls, and windows. Moreover, you can also spray the mixture directly over the ants that actually roam around the kitchen.
You may also read What Can I Use to Get Rid of Ants in My House
Other Natural Home Treatment Techniques
1. Change the garbage location and recycling process
Basically, ants have the tendency to stick on the food or water source once they find it already. That’s why switching the garbage location and recycling process regularly may block the source of supply of ants. Generally, this is the easiest and simple way to get rid of ants in the kitchen.
2. Get help from your plants
Actually, most of the plants, whether indoor or outdoor, can house small insect species known as the aphids. Typically, the aphids create a sweet secretion in which ants are being attracted the most. Additionally, this also serves as one of the ant’s primary food sources.
Generally, with a little bit knowledge about this, you may consider planting aphid-attracting plants in your outdoors. However, be very careful in using sprays, fertilizers or insect repellents that may affect the aphid-attracting property of your outdoor plant. Once this ant’s food source is being cut, it will lead ants to go inside the kitchen and search for foods.
3. Take advantage of home cleaners with natural treatment components
Primarily, home cleaners containing natural ingredients like lemon, baking soda, and citric acid may be a big help in deterring ants inside the kitchen.
Wrapping Up
Ants invasion is one of the major problems inside the house, especially in the kitchen where most of their food source can be seen. Basically, seeing ant trails walking in a corner endlessly is, at some point, disgusting. Luckily, a natural way to get rid of ants in the kitchen is available in many ways to keep the house free of ants. Moreover, the methods do not require the use of any harsh chemicals that may also be harmful to humans. Just strictly follow the steps on getting rid of those insects to enjoy your house without any insects living with you.
