Ants are common household pests that can invade our kitchen and contaminate our food. They can become a persistent nuisance and getting rid of them is a frustrating experience. Ants can work like machines and their primary function is to grow their colony and protect the queens. Keeping a proactive approach, using the right strategy and implementing preventive measures can help you get rid of ants in your kitchen. In this article, we will guide you on how you can protect your kitchen from these tiny insects.
Maintain a Clean Kitchen
Cleanliness is the first line of defense against ants in your kitchen. Keep your kitchen clean and dry. Wipe out the spilled crumbs, food particles, and especially the sugary substances as ants are attracted to them. Store garbage in sealed dustbins and dispose it of regularly. Sweep and mop the floor with disinfectant daily and do not allow standing water sources. Seal your food containers so that ants do not access them easily, and clean the appliances properly to remove any food residue.
Seal Entry Points
Ants can enter your kitchen even from the tiniest holes. Seal any cracks, gaps, and holes in windows, doors, and walls. Seal them with caulk, cement, or weatherstrippings. Pay close attention to space around utility lines and pipes as ants can make their way into your home through them. Install screens on doors and windows and make sure that they are in good condition.
Reduce Moisture
Ants are drawn to homes because they think they are finding a place to live, feed, and have access to water. In fact, ants don’t need a lot of water to survive. A damp dish towel or a mat in the kitchen will keep them going. If there is a fan in the kitchen, put your towel and mat near it to help it dry out faster, or toss it in the dryer. Identify and repair any leaking pipes that may be attracting ants. Eliminate standing water, particularly around houseplants.
Use Ant Baits
You can use ant baits available in the market or can also go for a DIY bait. It is an effective way to get rid of ants in the kitchen with ant control services.
Commercial Baits
Place commercial baits strategically in the area where you see ant activity. Let the foraging ants consume the bait and return to their nests to share it with others. This will eliminate their entire colony, though it takes several days to fully work.
DIY Baits
You can create homemade ant baits from readily available ingredients like borax and sugar, corn meal, peanut butter, and borax. Sugar and peanut attract the ants while borax is toxic to them. Sprinkle some corn meal near ant trails, so that they can consume it. Ants can’t digest it and eventually die.
Eliminate Ant Nests
Identifying and locating ant nests is crucial to completely eliminate ants from your kitchen. Follow ant trails and watch out where ants are coming from and going to your kitchen. This will lead you to their nests. For outdoor nests, use a tool to dig the ground. Indoor nests can be located inside wall voids and beneath the flooring.
Natural Remedies
You can also use some home remedies to get rid of ants in the kitchen. Here are several ingredients easily found in your kitchen that can repel ants:
Vinegar
Create a mixture of water and vinegar in equal parts. Wipe off the surfaces and countertops with it. The strong smell of vinegar will disrupt ant trails. You can also mix vinegar with essential oils to repel ants from your kitchen.
Lemon
You can use lemon juice and peels to deter ants. They could not stand their strong citrus smell. Dilute a few drops of lemon essential oil with water and spray it in the areas where ants are more active. It is a non-toxic way to deter ants from your kitchen.
Borax
Mix borax with sugar in one-third ratio and place it in frequently visited areas by ants. Sugar will attract them and borax will kill them.
Mint
Plant mint around your home or you can keep a potted mint plant in your kitchen. Dip cotton in mint essential oil and place them in the entry points. This will deter the ants as they dislike the smell of mint.
Cinnamon
Place cinnamon sticks or sprinkle some cinnamon powder on entry points to repel ants. The strong scent of cinnamon can disrupt their pheromone trails, which they use to communicate with each other and find food sources. You can also use cinnamon essential oil with water and spray it around areas where ants are active.
Use Soapy Water
Use soapy water to repel ants. Take a plastic spray bottle, fill 1 cap with liquid hand soap, and add water. Shake the spray bottle to allow the soap and water to mix. Spray the mixture on ants in your kitchen whenever you see them. Wait for 5 minutes to wipe it off because ants are much easier to remove from your countertop when they stop moving.
Regular Pest Control
Hiring a professional pest control in Faridabad and regular inspections will prevent ants from invading your home and kitchen. They have the right tools, insecticides, and experience to deter these tiny insects and their colonies and can implement long-term prevention techniques.
Summing UP
Ants in the kitchen can be frustrating, but with proper management, you can get rid of them and avoid future infestations. Begin by identifying the type of ants and then use a combination of cleaning measures, sealing of entry points, natural remedies, and using ant baits to get rid of these annoying kitchen pests. Keep in mind that patience is key, and if you have a severe infestation or an indoor nest, it is best to consult a pest control professional. Follow this step-by-step guide to get rid of ants in your kitchen and enjoy a more comfortable home.
Author Bio: Aditya Keshari
