Eliminate their food source Prevention is more effective than cure, so clearing away food remains and spills is the first thing you need to do. Most of the time, ants make a camp in your home to forage for food. So be sure to store food in tightly sealed plastic bags and containers.
Most likely, you'll be able to find their food source — whether it's a juice spill or a dirty spoon in the dishwasher — and where they're getting in, too. Typically if you clean up the spill, the ants will go away on their own (until next time).
Clean with lemon juice – spray juice on surfaces to disrupt their route or leave dried lemon peels at entry points. Peppermint essential oil – sprinkle on cotton pads and place at entry points, under appliances and in any other small spaces. Display tansy flowers. Use cinnamon – use powder, oil or sticks to deter ants.
The most effective way of getting rid of ants permanently is to call a professional pest controller. They can eliminate an infestation as well as put measures in place to ensure you're never faced with one again.
Ants are among the most resilient creatures on Earth and exterminating them is very difficult. A regular pest-control maintenance plan is the best way to control them.
Because ants swarm, once you have an infestation, they can be difficult to dislodge. It takes vigilance and a combination of treatments using both home and perimeter insect control, but an ant problem can typically be resolved within a week or two. Follow-up prevention is key to ensure that they do not return.
Why Do Ants Suddenly Appear In Kitchens? A sudden ant infestation in your kitchen means there is a food source somewhere. The food can be honey, sugar, syrup, meat, fats, breadcrumbs, etc. Once the ants determine these food sources, they form long trails to connect their colonies to the food source.
How Long Can Vinegar Keep Ants At Bay? Vinegar only remains effective for as long as the scent lingers. When the solution dries up, homeowners need to reapply the solution in the problem areas to keep ants away.
Try pouring a line of cream of tartar, red chili powder, paprika, or dried peppermint at the place where you think ants might be entering the house; they won't cross it. You can also try washing countertops, cabinets, and floors with equal parts vinegar and water.
Moisture: Ants require a water source to survive and can even store water for later within their colonies, so they will return to the same home again and again if there is moisture available.
Peppermint is a natural insect repellant. You can plant mint around your home or use the essential oil of peppermint as a natural remedy for control of ants. Ants hate the smell, and your home will smell minty fresh! Plant mint around entryways and the perimeter of your home.
The Ants Are Looking for a Source of Water
Sometimes, ants aren't interested in the food you have in the house, but a reliable source of water, especially during the hot season, when temperatures are extreme. Ants can use a leaking pipe or a faulty faucet to drink water, so make sure your plumbing is ok.
Simply create a 50-50 water and vinegar solution and spray it around your kitchen. You can also use vinegar alone, and it works by killings ants and also by repeling them. Unlike humans, ants can smell vinegar even after it dries, making a great remedy.
Even if you work hard to keep your kitchen clean, you might be prone to ant infestations simply because ants can find easy access into your home. Cracks or holes in your walls, damaged screens, and cracks in window or door frames provide easy entry for ants to get inside.
Fish and lizards. Birds, such as sparrows, grouse and starlings. Mammals, such as bears and coyotes. Certain types of fungal infections, which have been documented to consume ants.
Natural deterrents.
Salt, baby powder, lemon juice, chalk, vinegar, bay leaves, cinnamon, or peppermint oil are a few items that you have around your home that will stop ants from coming inside. Lay these out in areas where you see ants, and they'll stop using that area as an entrance into your house.
Cayenne pepper or black pepper
Create a wall of pepper around the area where ants are entering. Much like vinegar and cinnamon, the insects can't stand the strong smell. Alternatively, you can also try mixing pepper with water and creating your own homemade cost-effective spray.
Ants will not stay in places in which there is no available food or water. Keep all food put away and crumbs and spills cleaned up. Seal left over food and pantry foods in pest proof containers. Look for even the slightest leak under faucets and drains and repair as needed.
Everyone gets the occasional ant in their house — it's only natural! Insects can sneak in through open doors or windows, so you're never going to prevent bugs enitrely. A sudden ant invasion, though, doesn't just happen randomly.