Home Pest Controls: Preventing A Home Ant Invasion
January 30th, 2010 Posted in Ants & Roaches
When you discover one ant in your home it is very likely that another (or dozens more) will soon follow. Ants don’t really operate alone, which is why an ant problem can be really hard to deal with. Some ant colonies contain as many as 700,000 members.
This means 700,000 ants could possibly invade your home or property, this is an undesirable situation. Knowing what to do to turn a situation like this around, will help to turn an ant invasion into family friendly environment that is completely ant free.
Want to learn more?
Ant Mega Colonies: Could It Happen To Me?
Scientists have discovered that the Argentine species of ant (Linepithema humile) is part of one large mega-colony spreading across the entire planet. With a species of insect so powerful, how can a family ever face such a persistent pest? Well, it isn’t as bad as it seems, but it is still crazy.
This ant mega-colony exists across Europe, the United States, and Japan. This species of ant was introduced throughout the world by mankind’s constant movement across the world. Already known for producing larger colonies, scientists have found members of this species able to identify each other foreign members of their grand colony.
With no discernible difference in appearance than any other species of ants, the Argentine ants can tell apart a member of their family from a different species even if the one member is from Tokyo, Japan and the other is from Chicago, Illinois. Ants are normally very territorial, so the fact that these ants can stay connected in one large network of smaller colonies making up one big colony is astonishing. It’s hard to think of ants as just a regular household pest when you think of them in this context, especially when thinking of how to rid them from your home.
Important Home Remedies
If the destruction ants can cause literally can be seen from space, how are you supposed to deal with them? It’s actually pretty easy to deal with ants with regular household items. Here are a few techniques to get rid of ants:
Ant Powder
This method is only helpful if you can find the ant’s point of entry, but once that is found sprinkle tartar, chalk, talcum powder, cinnamon, or powdered laundry detergent over the entry to prevent the ants from entering from that spot.
Jelly
Deemed one of the more efficient means of preventing an ant invasion by exterminators this method is not safe to place around pets or children. By mixing equal part of jelly with borax and placing the mixture at an ant entry way, you will drastically prevent more ants from entering your home. The jelly attracts them, while the borax slowly poisons them.
Molasses
Better than the jelly mix, mostly because it is not harmful to pets or children, this remedy will kill ants after they consume it. Mix 1/3 cup of molasses, 6 tablespoons of dry yeast, and 6 tablespoons of salt to make the perfect at home ant remedy. Just place this remedy near where you’ve seen the most amount of ant activity.
Dish Soap
Pour dish soap or glass cleaner in an ant hill or wherever the ants have entered your home to instantly end the problem. This is an extremely poisonous method of ridding yourself of your ant problem.
Cucumbers
Ants, surprisingly enough, are repulsed by cucumbers, which makes them natural ant killers. Just use the cucumber peelings to deter them from your home. Sprinkle them around the exterior of your home and around entrance ways of your home.
Vinegar
Although it has a potent smell, vinegar is another successful and easy-to-use method of ant prevention. Like the other remedies, just place some vinegar in or around your house in places ants have or will frequent.
Organic Home Pest Controls
Prevent an ant invasion or stop a current ant invasion is by using EcoSMART’s home pest control. The above home remedies are helpful with dealing with an ant problem, but all aren’t always as safe and effective. EcoSMART’s products are engineered from natural plant oils to only target the adrenaline receptors found in insects like the ant.
Therefore, your dog could lick a spot where you sprayed EcoSMART or your children could be stepping right where you sprayed EcoSMART and there would be no negative consequences to this exposure. Our products are the best way to remain safe, while at the same time stopping an ant invasion from causing massive damage to your home.
5 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!
By Evonne on Feb 2, 2010
That is so cool. I love that it is safe for pets and children. I can’t wait to try it for myself.
By Jerri on Feb 3, 2010
How does this spray PREVENT an ant invasion?
By EcoSMART Brian on Feb 3, 2010
Hello Jerri,
Well, the ant powder, the jelly, the cucumber and the vinegar home remedies all prevent ant invasions because they deter ants from entering your home to begin with either by their smell or their taste.
EcoSMART’s home pest control spray also prevents an ant invasion because of the residue it leaves behind. After killing any ants currently in your home, the residue that is left repels any ants from returning to your home.
Let us know if you have any further questions or concerns.
By Linda on Feb 7, 2010
I am having some construction done on the outside of my home and they seem to have disturbed an ant colony – I’m finding them all over the house, but can’t seem to track the entry point. How do I treat this without clearly knowing the entry point? I also have a puppy and am fearful of using something harmful/toxic around him. I’d love to be one of your testers!
By EcoSMART Brian on Feb 8, 2010
Hello Linda,
Good question! Sometimes it is hard to identify the point of entry of an ant invasion, which is why EcoSMART’s organic insecticides are the only answer in some situations.
There is no need to worry about your puppy because our Ant & Roach Killer is completely safe for use around them.
This helps to explain in more detail:
http://www.ecosmart.com/discover/how