Ants are small insects that can be both beneficial and harmful to humans. They help by eating small fleas, weak mosquitoes, and flies, but they also damage furniture, food, and upholstery. Ants can bite humans, causing redness and skin itching. Therefore, solutions are sought to eliminate them and keep the house ant-free. Ants build large colonies under walls, so the sooner they are dealt with, the better.
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Why Do Ants Enter the House? Causes and Motives
There are many reasons and motives attracting ants to enter the house. Ants primarily come in search of food, drink, and warm environments. Other reasons encouraging ants to enter include:
- Multiple ground-level entrances in the house.
- Cracks in walls and between tiles.
- Food crumbs scattered on floors, especially in the kitchen.
- Old or unoccupied houses that allow ants to build large colonies.
How to Identify the Type of Ants in the House
There are many ant species, and identifying them helps choose the best way to eliminate them. Types include:
- Acrobat ants: color varies from yellow, brown, red, black to dark brown.
- Argentine ants: dark brown in light.
- Asian ants: brown and black.
- Fire ants: reddish-brown.
- Crazy ants: black with very long legs.
- Black ants: dark black.
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Natural Ways to Get Rid of Ants Without Chemicals
You can rely on natural methods to exterminate ants completely without harmful chemicals, such as:
- Mix salt with a liter of boiling water and spray it where ants are found. Salt is a strong alkaline insect repellent.
- Draw chalk lines in areas with many ants. Chalk contains calcium carbonate that repels ants.
Using Vinegar and Lemon as Natural Ant Repellents
A mixture of vinegar and lemon can kill ants naturally without harmful chemicals, used as follows:
- Mix lemon juice with a cup of white vinegar. Spray this mixture on ant groups or in all corners where ants appear.
- The acidic smell repels ants, and the acetic acid in vinegar suffocates them, causing them to flee.
How to Prevent Ants from Entering the House in the First Place?
Some steps to prevent ants from entering include:
- Clean the house from any scattered food crumbs inside and around the kitchen to avoid attracting ants.
- Mix various acidic scents like lemon or orange juice in a spray bottle with white salt and vinegar, then spray the mixture on ants or their entry points.
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Effect of Spices Like Cinnamon and Black Pepper in Repelling Ants
Aromatic spices such as cinnamon and black pepper have a harmful effect on ants:
- Both have strong, pungent aromas harmful to insects.
- Sprinkling black pepper and cinnamon where ants are found kills them immediately.
- Spraying floors with this dry mixture naturally repels ants.
Using Poison Baits: How They Work and Are They Effective?
Some people use poison baits to attract ants and kill them completely. Effects include:
- Poison baits are chemical products bought from pest control stores. The active ingredient affects ants immediately.
- Ants die one or two days after eating the bait.
Best Available Insecticides for Ant Control
There are many insecticides available in the market to eliminate ants, such as:
- Advion Gel: An insecticide gel with 0.05% Indoxacarb, odorless, attracts ant colonies and kills ants instantly.
- Hawk Insecticide: A 500 ml ready-to-spray insecticide that permanently kills ants without odor or toxins, safe for humans and pets.
How Does Regular Cleaning Affect Reducing Ant Spread?
Daily cleaning has great effects on reducing ant spread and protecting family health:
- Ant eggs cause rapid colony growth, so daily cleaning prevents their appearance.
- Regularly clean kitchen floors with ceramic cleaner since ants search for food crumbs there.
- Cleanliness is essential to prevent ants and harmful insects from entering.
Tips for Sealing Cracks and Gaps That Ants Enter Through
To fully get rid of ants and prevent entry, follow these tips:
- Use putty to seal all cracks in walls, between tiles, window frames, around plumbing pipes, and electrical cables.
- Seal and let the putty dry to block ant entry and keep the house clean.
Does the Presence of Ants in the House Pose a Health Risk?
Ants are non-venomous, but their presence carries some health risks:
- Some ants on food are harmless if accidentally ingested, as stomach acid digests them.
- However, ants carry germs and bacteria from dirty places on their bodies, spreading contamination.
Difference Between Controlling Regular Ants and Termites
Controlling ants is essential but differs between regular ants and termites:
- Regular ants feed on waste, small insects, and fungi.
- Termites feed on wood and plant fibers, digest cellulose in furniture and damage it.
- Use appropriate insecticides for either ant or termite infestations.
When Should You Call a Pest Control Specialist?
Call a specialist when:
- There is a large number of ants inside the house.
- Ants infest bedding materials, making DIY control difficult.
- Specialists have advanced tools and expertise to eliminate ants professionally.
Conclusion
Ant groups come to the house primarily seeking food, but many other factors cause them to multiply rapidly. They spread throughout the house, damaging furniture, food, and upholstery. Therefore, cleaning the house thoroughly from food crumbs and sealing all cracks and gaps to prevent ant entry are necessary. Natural remedies or chemical insecticides can be used to exterminate ants immediately once detected.
