In many cultures, ants form an integral part of cuisine, rituals and medicine as well as in biological pest control.  However, these very small insects are also considered invasive pests especially inside residential structures.

If you have ants for house visitors, you need not use the store-bought insect repellant and start spraying each and every corner of the house.  You should consider the many eco-friendly ways to prevent ants from making your home theirs, too.

Ant Deterrents

If the ants in your home are still trying to get a foothold, you may apply milder ant deterrents.  You have many choices in the matter, of which the most common, most effective and yet the most affordable can be found in your kitchen pantry.

You may choose liquid or solid materials as ant deterrents depending on what works the best for your case.  Start with the liquids like vinegar, which can be sprayed on the areas where ants have access like doorways and windows.  You can even add a small drop of honey to the vinegar for greater efficacy.

You should also consider other acidic liquids like lemon juice, citrus oil and a pureed blend of water and orange peel placed on the ant trails.  The rationale is that the smell will eliminate the scent of the ant trails.

If the liquid ant deterrents do not achieve the purpose, then move on into the solid types.  You can sprinkle cinnamon powder, baking soda and even talc powder on the affected areas.  Even coffee grounds and powdered garlic around pots and pet bowls will do the trick.

If ants are causing havoc on your garden, you should plant mints around your flower beds and vegetable patches.  Think of it as companion planting in that the strong smell of the mint plants drives away the ants from invading your precious flowers and vegetables.

Better yet, you can use ants to suit your gardening purpose.  Make a sugar trail from the house to the compost pile and make the ants work their magic on the compost.

You should also ensure that the house is free from stray food and water that will attract the ants.  You must also check the plumbing lines for leaks as well as clear the house of dead insects.

Ant Eradication Tips

If you have to eradicate ants, you have to use stronger but still eco-friendly methods to do so.  First, mix 1/8 teaspoon powdered borax with sugar to attract and then kill ants.  In fact, these are also the ingredients of commercial ant killers.  However, be very careful to keep the mixture out of reach of children and pets as borax is toxic in big doses.

Second, you may use dry grits.  Just place it in places where the ants congregate.  The theory is that when water combines with the grits in the stomach of ants, the grits will expand and, hence, kill the ants.

Ants can be man’s friends in the general scheme of Mother Nature.  But when they take up residence in your home, then it is time to take action.