Getting Rid of Ants for Good

by Jill Swensen on July 14th, 2013 | 2 Comments »

Don't tell the authorities, but I'm a cold-hearted killer…of ants. I refuse to tolerate anything with more than four legs living in my house, so each summer I have a new group of invaders to deal with.

I hate to do so with chemicals, though, especially since I have small children. So I've searched out the best ways to eradicate sugar ants using household items.

Shoot to Kill

To kill an ant instantly, mix a solution of 1 tsp dish soap and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on the ants. They'll die quite quickly, and you can wipe up the "mess" with a paper towel. The soapy water has killed the ants and cleaned their trail. Two birds with one stone!

The Waiting Game

To get rid of ants for good, you have to get rid of the colony. This takes time. Sometimes up to a couple weeks. But using the right bait will get the job done.

To tackle the colony, you'll need Borax, honey, and old prescription bottles. Mix 1 tsp honey with 2/3 tsp Borax per bottle and place them on their sides wherever the ants' trail is. They'll take this delectable "treat" back to their home and, after a couple weeks, bye bye colony. If the honey/Borax mixture is depleted before the ants are gone, simply make more and refill. Note: Borax should not be ingested by people, so use with caution around children.

Jill Swensen blogs at Being Spiffy where she writes about everything she's passionate about, from fashion and style to crafting, baking, and entertaining. Anything she can do to make your world a little more spiffy! Follow Jill on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.