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Ants are common invaders of homes across the United States and are mostly harmless. They can be hard to get rid of, but it’s possible to repel and eradicate ants over time using the natural methods described above. Commercial products are also available to help kill or detract these pests. Bait traps that contain pesticides in an enclosed form may be preferable for some people over sprays.
Use an Indoor Commercial Ant Bait
The odorous house ant (Figure 10) is probably the most common house-infesting ant species in North Carolina. Their name comes from the odor similar to rotten coconut that is noticeable when you crush them. Workers are about 1⁄8-inch long and brown to black in color. There is one node on the pedicel that is hidden by the overlapping abdomen (see the picture above).
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Glass cleaner and liquid detergent
Create a syrupy paste with borax, confectioner’s sugar and water. Put the mixture inside shallow containers with narrow, ant-sized openings and place them near ant mounds or wherever you see ants. Enticed workers carry the sweet substance back to the nest to share with their friends. Fortunately, there are safe ways to kill ants when they get in your house. Get rid of these foraging insects using eco-friendly home remedies made from things you’ll find in your pantry or at the supermarket. As common household pests go, ants can try a homeowner’s patience.
Odorous House Ants vs. Carpenter Ants
Drawn to odors, fermented hair, and stagnant water in sink and bathtub drains, your bathroom appeals to these ants. Some common household products may help you get rid of ants, such as white vinegar, Borax, essential oils, and coffee grounds. That said, certain items may not be safe to use around pets or children.
Colonies that live on the coast have slightly different habits from inland colonies. Even queens have different sizes when compared to inland and coastal Monomorium ergatogyna colonies. Typically found in sand, these ants build underground nests. They are considered agile and also aggressive, even if they don’t sting.
Black Harvester Ant
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It often shares its habitat with other fire ants such as the Golden Fire ant. Common in California, the ants can also be seen in mountainous areas as they are adapted to living both at sea level and high altitude. These ants (Pogonomyrmex californicus) are found in warm areas of the South, particularly coastal areas such as California.
Additionally, ant poison can be dangerous for pets and young children, so be careful when applying these chemicals in your home. Try using a 1-to-1 vinegar and water mixture to clean hard surfaces, including floors and countertops, wherever ants are likely to travel. If you see ants, spray the mixture on them or wipe them up with a paper towel.
How do I get rid of ants permanently?
Like most essential oils, keep tea tree oil out of reach of pets. For additional information, visit Tips for Effective Ant Baiting. Because ants need water and food to survive, start by cleaning up in and around your home. Odorous house ants are tiny (less than 1/8 inch in length), and while bothersome, don't do much damage except ruin the sugar in your sugar bowl.
Best ant traps, poisons, and repellents
It’s nigh on impossible to calculate with accuracy how many ants are on Earth, but estimates put the number at about ten billion billion. And sometimes, it can feel like a good proportion of those ants are marching through our homes. Repeat the process one more time to ensure that you eliminate the trail. Place whole cloves around areas of the kitchen where you notice ants hanging out. Place a bowl of potpourri scented with cinnamon and cloves on countertops. Put several drops of peppermint on a cotton ball and set it in strategic locations throughout the home to drive ants away.
You deal with one trail of ants, only to find others coming back for more. If you're wondering why do ants come into the house, the unfortunate fact is that warmer weather often heralds some unwanted house guests. However, they build galleries inside wood leaving fine sawdust-like material behind. Most commonly, they are found under sidewalks and the sides of California homes. However, further differences are seen within the species depending on its habitat. The Southern Fire ant (Solenopsis xyloni) is the fire ant with the largest distribution in California.
If these fail, try using bait traps or commercial repellants. Granular insecticides can be used in the place of sprays to treat the soil around the home. Do not apply granular insecticides if the grass is wet from rain or dew because insecticide granules will get hung up on the vegetation. The treated area should be watered lightly to ensure that the insecticide is released into the soil. No one knows exactly why odorous house ants can explode in number in urban and suburban areas, but entomologist, Dr. Grzegorz Buczkowski from Purdue University has a theory. In a study, Dr. Buczkowski monitored odorous house ants in a forested area that was later cleared for a home.
Check that doors and windows fit properly; install weather stripping where needed. Spot treatments around areas where power lines enter the home can be effective. The main reason that ants enter homes is in search of food or water. Once an ant finds either―or both―of these, it carries it back to its nest while leaving a scent trail for other ants from its colony to follow to get more.
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