Ants are a ubiquitous nuisance in the household. Most homes will have an ant infestation at some time. Whether it’s a trail of black ants wandering in your pantry or annoying carpenter ants residing on your deck nobody loves coexisting peacefully with these annoyances. These pests might look tiny but they carry a plethora of disease-causing germs. They also contaminate your house and expose you and your loved ones to a myriad of infections. Therefore, you must get rid of these creatures as soon as possible. Getting help from certified ant control Melbourne professionals is quite effective in alleviating the infestation with minimal downtime. However, there are a few DIYs that might also help you get rid of small issues. If you are troubled with pesky ants dwelling in your premises and are looking for effective solutions to get rid of them then this blog is for you. Continue reading further to learn great tips on how you can keep ants away from your house.
Listed below are some preventative tips you can use to get rid of ants in your house:
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth or silicon dioxide is dust derived from the crushed, fossilised remnants of ancient aquatic creatures known as diatoms. DE is not poison. It, however, kills ants as well as other critters by sucking the oil from their bones and completely drying them out. Simply sprinkle DE powder anywhere you observe ants entering or travelling through your home to kill them. This solution will greatly help you in treating a small infestation.
However, if the infestation is severe, you must enlist help from qualified ant removal Melbourne specialists. Trained experts will easily rid your place of these annoyances using effective and safe techniques.
Pepper
Ants are dependent on their perception of smell to traverse the environment, and the smell of pepper is repulsive to these critters. Dust ground pepper along your floorboards and behind appliances to stop them from getting into your home.
However, you must keep in mind that this DIY might be risky for kids. Pepper powder might irritate your kids or loved ones if they come in contact. Therefore, it is recommended to not use this tip on a large-scale infestation and rather contact a licensed Pest Control Melbourne service provider to help you effectively get rid of pesky nuisances most safely.
Essential Oils
Natural ant repellants such as peppermint, lemon, thyme oil, cinnamon, neem, eucalyptus, tea tree oil and lemongrass oil, can help to keep ants away from your property.
For maximum benefits, take 2 cups of water and add a few drops of any essential oil of your choice to it. Spritz the mixture around your home’s walls, windows, floorboards, furniture and doors. This DIY is completely safe for kids and is also pocket-friendly. However, if you have furry friends, you must be cautious as some essential oils might be irritating for them.
White Vinegar
If you detect a trail of ants in your house, prepare a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar and wipe down the affected area with the solution. This solution kills present ants while repelling future ants by creating a persistent vinegar aroma that serves as a natural repellent for ants. This is an effective DIY solution. Nevertheless, you must keep in mind that vinegar might leave a lingering smell. Hence, you must use it carefully on certain surfaces.
Baking Soda/Borax
Baking soda and ants don’t really get along. Baking soda and borax both kill ants when consumed. For optimal results, use equal quantities of baking soda for ants and confectioner’s sugar in a shallow container accessible to ants. You can also use borax instead of baking soda as it is also equally effective in eradicating ants from your premises.
This method, however, can be risky if you have kids or pets at home. As it can be toxic for them if consumed and might cause serious problems. Therefore, if the ant infestation is serious you should contact your nearest ant control Melbourne specialists and let professionals tackle the situation using their expertise and advanced methods.
Chalk
Calcium carbonate is found in chalk. You can draw a thick line with chalk on the affected surface. Calcium carbonate present in chalk can confound an ant’s smell track, making it more challenging for them to follow up the path of other ants. Draw a thick, broad line of chalk all around surfaces you want to preserve, such as a patio table or grill, for the greatest effects.
Chalk can be the most affordable solution to keep ants away however, it is not a lasting solution. And might have to reapply it often.
Citrus Fruits
Fruits such as oranges and lemons contain d-limonene, which is harmful to ants. Fill a gallon jar halfway with leftover orange peels. Fill the jar partly with peels and the remainder with water for the best results. Keep the jar in a shady place for about 3-5 days. Strain the liquid, then return it to the jar with a spoonful of molasses as well as a spritz of dish soap. Mix the mixture thoroughly, then pour it into a spray bottle and spritz it straight on ants as you spot them.
On contact, the citrous oil would kill the ants. This citrus oil extract may also be used to reduce ant trails, so spray it wherever you’ve noticed ant activity.
Contact Professioanls
The above-mentioned tips might help you in treating a small problem. However, they do not provide you permanent relief from these pesky pests. Also, tackling the issue carelessly might cause problems as you can get ant bites which can be painful. In such circumstances, you should engage in professional ant removal Melbourne services and rest easy knowing that skilled professionals will effectively treat your property, eradicate the infestation and prevent future infestations.