How to Kill Ants Inside

When you live in an old house that also happens to be in the midst of ongoing (forever?) renovations you end up with tenants that you did not plan on. Mice, snakes, lizards, wood roaches, raccoons (yep…sigh) and ants.

Ants are irritating, aren’t they? The minute you miss a crumb on the floor or leave a sticky spot on the counter they are there en masse. Honestly, I don’t care HOW cute Pixar tried to make ants (Ant Bully) they are still pests.

Here are some things to try. Remember these remedies do take a little longer to work but the results are good and they don;t mess with the environment!

Try sprinkling cayenne pepper in a line on your door frame and by windows…or even around your house..Ants do NOT like cayenne pepper.

Use a solution of cider vinegar and water to clean with. It is a great cleaner and ants hate it.

Boric acid mixed with sugar water. Just leave it in a small container in an out of the way spot on your counter and let the ants indulge in a last meal. You can also soak cotton balls in it and leave them around.

Make a paste with equal parts borax and confectioners sugar that has a little water added.

Boric acid and jelly.

Cornmeal will also kill them. It expands in their stomachs.

Vinegar in a spray bottle will kill ants when you spray them with it.

If you are having trouble with ants getting into your pets’ food dish just set the dish inside another dish that has water in it.

Drink some mint tea and leave the tea bag or used tea leaves by the places ants are coming in.

That should be enough to get you started. Boric acid is slightly toxic so be careful around kids and pets. And…when you are creating your evil mixture? Don’t think about Atom Ant!

Image:Jusben/Morguefile