[HikeMama]

Help! Ants are invading my home. I fear for my food. I don't want to ignore them- I want to get rid of them. How do you suppose I should go about that?

 

[editornj]

I tried SO many things (cinnamon, coffee, etc.) and finally something worked--big time. I was desperate, and was done trying to keep the ants outside. I put sugar and Borax in little cups in the places where I found ants. For a few days it was CRAZY. Ants came in droves. But then they were killed.

So I realize this isn't good for the ants.

I left intact the ant communities that were around the house and coming into the other rooms. (Cinnamon actually worked well to deter them from the other rooms.) I just couldn't deal with them in the kitchen any more.

 

[HikeMama]

Thanks!

 

[Amber Lion]

I stick a few drops of either lavender or lemonbalm essential oils on cotton balls, or q-tips, and then place them where the ants are getting into my house. Where I live there is an invasion every spring and if I'm on top of this they stay out of my kitchen. Every few days I have to replace or add more drops to the cotton or they'll start coming in once the E.O.'s wear off. Plus, it makes my kitchen smell nice.

ETA: I bet you could put the oils on cloth wads if you don't want to use disposable products like cotton balls or q-tips... can't believe I didn't think of that until just now! lol!

 

[GenB]

I have used club soda in the past with good results. Just put some in a spray bottle and spray away. Now if you don't want to kill them, just relocate htem, I am not sure what to do. I'm not even sure this kills them - I've just poured or sprayed the mounds on my patio (they get in the sand under the brick and dig it up) and poof!! They're gone the next day!