Tips for Keeping Ants out of Your Home
Ants are attracted to homes that appear to be a food or water source. Ants may also be looking for shelter. In dry weather, ants may come inside to take advantage of moisture in the home. In Texas, fire ants are a whole other issue all their own, but they normally keep outside. So, for the purposes of this article, we’ll give you some useful tips for keeping regular black ants out of the home. Here are some common tips for keeping ants out of your home:
Eliminate Cracks, Large or Tiny
Make sure to keep your home free of cracks and openings for ants to get inside. Seal any cracks, especially around doors or windowsills. Make sure to check under window ledges. I’ve found plenty of openings under windows, and above. Even the tiny cracks are big enough for ants to come in and get everywhere.
Keep Walls Clear
I made a mistake when I first moved to an apartment of placing the bed directly near a window. If you’re in a brand new home or apartment, keep the furniture clear of corners or windows until you have time to get to know your surroundings. Ant colonies might be present and not active when you first move. Note any utility lines that run into the house. If they are not sealed properly, they can be a welcome highway for ants to enter.
Clean the Kitchen Often
Kitchens are common entry points for ants, due to the moisture and food crumbs that pile up. Wipe the sink dry after washing the dishes, and keep crumbs out of the kitchen as much as possible. If you’re a messy eater like me, vacuum often near areas where you eat and crumbs accumulate. Store foods in containers, or in the fridge. I don’t like to leave cereal in open boxes. Instead, I’ll seal leftover cereals in air-tight containers.
Some Natural Remedies Might Work
Salt is the natural enemy of ants and they will avoid it. Place salt around openings in your home that can’t be sealed, like windows. Keep in mind, this may make the ants try to find other areas to enter the home, and won’t kill them, just deter. Salt solutions can sometime be used. Thirsty ants will drink the salt water and die. Cinnamon, citrus, and vinegar are other unproven, but sometimes helpful natural ant repellents as they disrupt their pheromones. Essential oils also may deter ants, but don’t use them if you own certain pets as they can be toxic to animals.
Keep Wood Away from Your House
If you’re used to keeping lumber or wood piled up against your home’s foundation, move it to a different spot. Anything that’s pressed up against your house that can be used for nesting will be very attractive to ants.
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