Wait! Don't step on that ant! Stomping on every ant you see in your kitchen won't solve your insect problem. And that ant scurrying across your floor might be the key to wiping out an entire ant colony. Check out these 10 expert tips for ridding your house of ants and other insects.
Disrupt the ant trail so more ants won't follow it inside. Mix vinegar and water, then spray it where you've seen ants to cover the ant scent.
Test the ants to find out what type of foods they like. Set out sugar or honey, fried food and peanut butter, then see which food attracts ants. Use whichever food they prefer for bait.
Place liquid ant bait stations in areas where you've seen ants, like under the sink and along walls, to make it as easy as possible for the ants to take the toxic bait back to the nest.
Look for water-damaged areas in the house and places where water has recently leaked to find the ant nest. Spray the nest with an indoor insecticide.
Spray an indoor insect killer in places where ants can enter, including windows and doors, holes in exterior walls and cracks in the foundation.
Spray outdoor insecticide on the foundation walls, and on and under the first course of lap siding to keep ants from entering the house.
Look for ant nests or tunnels in the foundation or siding. Spray the area with an insecticide to kill the ants.
Spray a lawn and garden insect killer on the grass within one day of mowing. Also spray on trees and shrubs. Spray on a calm day to prevent drift.
Apply fire ant bait using a broadcast spreader. Fill the spreader over the driveway or a tarp to catch the granules that fall through the spreader.
Trim back trees, shrubs and plants so they're at least 6 in. from the house, roof and deck. This eliminates bridges for ants to reach your home.
Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.
