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This Is How to Get Rid of Ants in the Kitchen

Nothing ruins your ability to relax at home like ants in the kitchen. You find you can’t pour a bowl of cereal or sit in your favorite chair without worrying it might be crawling with ants. You can’t eat a meal without fearfully inspecting every inch of it for signs of movement. Paranoia haunts almost everything you do in the house. Fortunately, you’re not without hope. It’s actually not that hard to get rid of ants in your kitchen. And we’re going to show you how to do it.

Just follow these steps to wipe out those pesky pests for good.

  1. Identify the Ants in the Kitchen

First, know your enemy: try to identify the ants in your kitchen if you can. This way, you can make sure you use the right products/methods to get rid of them. Look closely at their distinguishing characteristics. Then, search online for guides on common household ant types to identify the ants you’re dealing with.

  1. Set Up Traps

Now that you know what type of ants to combat, head to the store. There are three products you need to look for: ant bait, outdoor insecticide (non-repellant), and natural insect repellent. Make sure the products you buy specify that they work on your type of kitchen ants. Don’t bother with bug spray or other methods of killing ants on the spot. Killing them in the kitchen doesn’t do any good. Their death sends out a scent signal telling the rest of their colony to come right back to that spot. They will just come back the next day. Ant bait, on the other hand, poisons the nest. The ants are attracted to the poisonous bait and bring it back with them to the nest. If it works, the nest is destroyed. So, set up the bait and try not to kill them for a while so they can get the bait to the nest. They should be wiped out within 2 weeks. In the meantime, seal up any food that attracts the ants in zipper bags or food storage containers.

  1. Follow Them

Next, observe them to find out where they’re coming from and where they’re going. Ants travel in almost single-file pathways that are easy to spot. Ensure your ant bait is in the ants’ pathway. Follow the path to find their entryways into the kitchen. Then, go to the other side of the wall or door they’re coming from and keep following them. Hopefully, you can follow them all the way back to their nest.

  1. Block Entryways With a Natural Ant Repellent

When you know their entry points into the kitchen, block them with natural ant repellent. Toxic bug spray is unnecessarily hazardous to pets and humans in the household. And natural repellents work just as well

Ants are naturally repelled by:

  • Chalk
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Mint
  • Cinnamon
  • White vinegar
  • Oranges

Most people prefer to draw a circle of chalk around the entry points. It’s easy and doesn’t give off any odor, but it doesn’t work for very long. Alternatively, you can buy natural bug repellent spray that includes many of these ingredients. These won’t poison your household and usually smell just fine. Don’t forget to put the repellent around any cupboards or pantries you store food in.

  1. Destroy the Nest

If you were able to locate the nest, poison it with non-repellant insecticide. If the insecticide contains repellant, it will warn the ants to runaway. Then, they’ll just form a new colony nearby.

  1. Call Professional Help

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find the nest. And they won’t always take the bait, either. When all else fails, call professional exterminators like Altus Pest Control. It’s quite affordable and it’s the most lasting solution, anyway.

Keep This Guide

Don’t let household pests ruin any more of your days off. Keep this guide and follow these steps to get rid of ants in the kitchen. Now that your kitchen is ant-free, let’s talk about style. Check out our blog on kitchen decor under the Home Decor tab at the top of this page.

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