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Aside from using insecticide baits, you can also opt for other ways to
get rid of ants in the house. Here are some of the alternative options
you can take:
1. Search and destroy the queen ant. The queen ant is the
leader of the ant colony, and killing her means death for the whole ant
community. The queen ant is found inside the ant nest, and your main
goal is to find it by following the ant trail until you reach the
colony, and then locate the nest. The queen ant usually hides under the
burrows of the nest, so dig through until you have her killed.
2. Deprive the ants of food supply. The main reason why ants
thrive inside one’s house is because the house is full of edible stuff,
particularly in the places where food is served. The dining area and the
kitchen are the main point of attack for ants, and by keeping these
places clean ants will go somewhere else to look for food. When cleaning
the house, make sure that:
- You wipe all surfaces clean. Detergent is not enough in cleaning
floors, tables and counter tops; use vinegar or mild bleach
solutions to eliminate the scent of food, as ants are attracted to
the scent of food and not its looks.
- Secure the food in air-tight containers. This will not only keep
the food fresh but safe from being contaminated by ants.
- The sink should be clean at all times. There should no be dirty
dishes, no stagnant water, and no food residue in the drain.
- Pet bowls should be placed in larger bowls with water in them.
Like a moat surrounding a castle, this keeps the ants from getting
into the pet bowls and eating the food. Ants easily drown in water,
so this is one way of protecting your food, and pet bowls from them.
3. Kill them one by one. Normally ant colonies send out
individual members to do the scouting for food, and when you see one of
them roaming around the house, kill it instantly. This will tell the
rest of the colony that they have to leave and that there’s nothing they
can find in the house. If you meanwhile are planning to bait them all,
you can let the scout ant go and follow his trail until he leads you to
the colony. When killing them all, you can:
- Spray the ant trail with a bleach solution or all purpose
cleaner, then wipe it dry with a washcloth or paper towel. Do this
when you are about to kill them all, as excessive spraying may
signal them to disperse or go home.
- If you have found their colony, vacuum them using a vacuum
cleaner. Afterwards vacuum some baby powder to finally kill the ants
off.
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