An ant infestation can occur at any time but is more likely in warmer months. Ants are a nuisance and may get into the food in your pantry. Read on for some tips and tricks to get rid of ants in your home.

Locate the Source

To get rid of ants, find where the insects are located. Ants often build colonies near food and water sources, such as leaking drains and behind counters and refrigerators. Use a flashlight to determine where the ants are coming from so they can be targeted appropriately with traps and bait. Make sure there are no holes or gaps around doors or windows. Leaving the windows or doors open gives ants access to your home.

Clean the Home to Get Rid of Ants

Ants come indoors looking for food. Some ants are attracted by food, moisture, and even the smell of scented candles, lotions, and soaps. Keep your home clean to deter ants. Thoroughly clean the kitchen after preparing a meal. Store food in air-tight containers. Put away your ingredients, wash the dishes, and sweep the floor regularly.

Mix a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water, then wipe down countertops, chairs, and cabinets with the solution. Using the same mix, mop the floor.

Get Rid of Ants Using Baits

After cleaning the house and locating the nests, target the ants with bait traps. Set up bait traps around infested areas of your home. Ants will taste the bait and carry some of it back to the anthill, poisoning and eliminating the colony.

Don’t be discouraged if the bait doesn’t seem to work; many homeowners find they need to try different traps to entirely rid the home of ants.

Apply Deterrents

There are also natural alternatives you can make to deter ants from taking up residence in your home. Ants don’t like the smell of lemon or peppermint, so spraying lemon juice or placing lemon peels or mint leaves near infested areas helps get rid of ants.

Many substances work as borders that ants won’t cross. For example, salt can be used to deter ants from specific areas.

Mixing white vinegar and water in a spray bottle also works as a non-toxic ant insecticide, and spraying it in highly concentrated areas will discourage ants from trespassing.

PRIME Home Inspections offers inspection services to customers in western Washington state. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to schedule an appointment.