Argentine and Odorous house ants are common in many Las Vegas and Henderson homes. There’s nothing like walking into your kitchen first thing in the morning, bleary eyed and ready for your morning cup of coffee only to find that your home has been invaded. Below are some of the best natural remedies you can try to get rid of the ants infesting your space.
1. Mint
Peppermint is a natural insect repellant. You can plant mint around your home or use the essential oil of peppermint as anatural remedy for control of ants. Ants hate the smell, and your home will smell minty fresh!Plant mint around entryways and the perimeter of your home. Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil on a cotton ball and use it to wipe suspected areas. You can also place apeppermint oil cotton ball in areas such as cabinets where the ants frequent.
2. Vinegar
Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegarand water in a spray bottle. Spray it directly on the ants to killthem, then wipe up the ants usinga damp paper towel and discard them. You can also use vinegar and water as adeterrent; sprayit around your windowsills, doorways and other places where you see antscoming inside.
3. Lemon Juice
Just like vinegar, lemon juice also seems to destroy the scent trails that ants follow. Try mixing up a solution of 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water and use as an all-purpose spray. Spray the lemon solution around entryways and the perimeter of your home, or any areas where you see ants.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a great option for killing ants. When an ant inhales cinnamon, it suffocates and dies. You can use ground cinnamon and sprinkle on the ants’ path or around an anthill opening. Cinnamon essential oil also works well to repel ants. Mix a few drops of cinnamon oil with water and spray on ant trails, around doors, windows and cracks.
5. Cayenne Pepper or Black Pepper
Ants hate cayenne pepper. Black pepper will work just as well too. Locate the source of the ant infestation problem, sprinkle some pepper around that area and if possible, create a wall that will stop the ants from accessing your household. An alternative solution is to mix some pepper with water and spray the resulting solution at the ants. The pepper won’t kill the ants but it sure will deter them from returning.
6. Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth
Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) also works well as an ant repellent. This powder is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton.The microscopic razor sharp edges of DE can cut through the ants’ exoskeletons, gradually causing their body todry out.
- Gently sprinkle a thin layer of DE on windowsills, beneath the fridge, under cabinets, in and around garbage cans and any other places where you see ants.
- Repeat once daily until all the ants are gone.
If you apply these methods and still experience ant issues, Western Exterminator has compiled an Ant Resource Center to help you not only identify what types of ants you’re dealing with, but help you get your problem under control. We also provide expert solutions to help our customers keep their homes and businesses ant free. Give us a call if you decide you need help combating these invaders.
6 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Ants in Las Vegas NV
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Home » 6 Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Ants
As an entomology enthusiast with a deep understanding of pest control, particularly concerning ants, I can confidently delve into the natural remedies mentioned in the article to address ant infestations in Las Vegas and Henderson homes.
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Mint (Peppermint Essential Oil and Planting Mint):
- Expert Insight: Mint, especially peppermint, acts as a natural insect repellent due to its strong scent that ants detest.
- Implementation: Plant mint around entryways and the perimeter of your home. Use peppermint essential oil on cotton balls to wipe suspected areas or place them in ant frequented spots like cabinets.
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Vinegar (50/50 Solution of Vinegar and Water):
- Expert Insight: Vinegar disrupts ant trails and can be used as a direct contact insecticide.
- Implementation: Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use it to spray ants directly and wipe them away. Additionally, use the solution as a deterrent by spraying it around windowsills and doorways.
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Lemon Juice (Lemon Juice and Water Solution):
- Expert Insight: Similar to vinegar, lemon juice disrupts ant scent trails.
- Implementation: Mix 1 part lemon juice with 3 parts water to create a solution. Use it as a spray around entryways, the perimeter of your home, or areas with ant activity.
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Cinnamon (Ground Cinnamon and Cinnamon Essential Oil):
- Expert Insight: Cinnamon acts as a suffocating agent for ants.
- Implementation: Sprinkle ground cinnamon on ant paths or around anthill openings. Alternatively, mix cinnamon oil with water and spray it on ant trails, doors, windows, and cracks.
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Cayenne Pepper or Black Pepper:
- Expert Insight: Ants are repelled by the presence of cayenne or black pepper.
- Implementation: Sprinkle pepper around ant-infested areas or create a barrier. Alternatively, mix pepper with water and use it as a spray to deter ants.
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Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE):
- Expert Insight: DE, composed of fossilized marine phytoplankton, has microscopic sharp edges that can penetrate ants' exoskeletons.
- Implementation: Sprinkle a thin layer of food-grade DE in areas with ant activity, such as windowsills, beneath the fridge, and around garbage cans. Repeat daily until the ant infestation is resolved.
In case these natural remedies prove insufficient, the article suggests seeking professional help, specifically mentioning Western Exterminator's Ant Resource Center. This resource aims to help identify ant types and provides expert solutions to keep homes and businesses ant-free.
In summary, these natural remedies leverage the repellent properties of mint, vinegar, lemon juice, cinnamon, pepper, and the desiccating effects of food-grade diatomaceous earth to address ant infestations in the Las Vegas and Henderson areas.