So there you are preparing a nice meal in the kitchen when you notice something out of the corner of your eye. Is something moving in the fruit salad? Eeewwwww!
Yup, sure enough, whether they're so tiny you have to squint to see them or whether they're the larger kind, you've got invaders----it's ant season!
They don't come marching two by two either, as the nursery rhyme goes, it's more like 1,000 by 10,000! It's not pleasant to have to kill any living creature, but in this case, if you don't do something fast, these little invaders will soon take over. They have their rightful place out in nature, but they are very inconsiderate house-guests.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT THESE LITTLE BUGGERS?
So do you reach for a can of toxic insecticide spray, poisoning your self and your family in the process? Are there safer, more environmentally friendly and perhaps even more humane methods that actually work?
Absolutely!
Here are the methods I've put to the test and they've proven very effective........
THE 3 THINGS YOU NEED
- Isopropyl Alcohol and a Spray Bottle
- Clear Duct Tape - preferably waterproof, but any strong duct or packing tape will work
- Diatomaceous Earth --Food Grade
That's it! Put the isopropyl/rubbing alcohol into a spray pump bottle and spray directly on the ants. It kills them instantly and hopefully as humanely as possible. Isopropyl alcohol is a much safer alternative to commercial pesticides which are toxic to humans and pets as well as the 'pests' you're trying to get rid of. It dries very quickly too.
You're probably wondering about the clear tape. What could that be for? If you can locate the insects main access points, you can tape over it to block their entry. For example, I noticed an army of invaders entering through small cracks around the kitchen window sill. So I taped over this area thoroughly with a good quality waterproof clear duct tape. I chose clear for aesthetic reasons. I made sure to seal up all the tiny cracks and crevices. This 'worked a treat' as they say here in UK.
As for the Diatomaceous Earth, just dust/sprinkle a small amount of it around baseboards where insects tend to travel, or along obvious ant trails. Make sure it's just a light dusting or they will just go around it. It works on other insects as well.
In case you're not familiar with it, Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a powdery substance derived from algae-like plants known as diatoms and is prized for its natural insecticidal properties.
Here’s how diatomaceous earth works: each particle of DE contains microscopic sharp edges. When insects contact these sharp edges, their exoskeletons are damaged and the diatomaceous earth dehydrates them.
DE is safe and non-toxic, but just be sure to wear a dust mask when applying it and of course make sure pets and children can't eat it or breathe it in.
Result? No more ants! Yaaay!
