Springtime brings beautiful weather and the arrival of ant season. There are a large variety of ants that invade our homes and yards each year. However, taking care of this problem does not require a lot of harsh chemicals or an expensive pest control bill. For a few dollars, you can get rid of ants yourself.



Many Types Of Ants

There are many different types of ants that invade our homes and gardens. There are over a dozen common ants that call different regions around the United States their home. However, they all share one important characteristic in common: they are attracted to either sugar or protein (or sometimes both). This is the key to effective ant control. It is important to understand that effective ant baits must actually attract the ants. Many commercial preparations are toxic to ants, but the ants will avoid most of these making them a waste of money. Some of the better commercial preparations mix some type of sugar or protein with a poison.

I have found the following solution to be very effective in eliminating all types of ants. Best of all, it only takes a few minutes to prepare during each Spring when the ants first appear.

How To Get Rid Of Ants

1) Gather some small plastic containers with lids. I will use either Philadelphia Cream Cheese or margarine containers that I have saved. Poke 4-5 holes spaced evenly around the outside each container about an inch from the top. These holes should be about the size of a pencil to allow the ants to enter the container easily.

2) Buy a box of 20 Mule Team Borax. This can be found in the laundry detergent section of any large grocery store. Borax is toxic to all types of ants.

3) Mix the Borax with granulated sugar in a 1:3 ratio. I will prepare 1 cup of Borax with 3 cups of sugar for 6-8 traps.

4) Fill the plastic container about half full with the powder. You want the level to be about 1/2 an inch or so below the holes in the container.

5) Add enough water to make the mixture slightly soupy. The exact amount of water is not important. The mixture will become like syrup over time.

6) Add about 1 teaspoon of peanut butter to the mixture. Stir until well mixed. Place the lid on the container.

7) Set the traps in areas where you find ants. These can be used indoors, but I find it more effective outside the house. I put them near the kitchen window, near the doors, under the house, by trashcans, next to existing ant colonies, or even in the flower garden.

The bait works in two ways. First, it is toxic to ants that ingest it immediately. Second, most ants will naturally transport the bait back to the colony where other ants will ingest the bait and die. Most types of ants will respond to the bait as it contains both sugar and protein. You will notice some dead ants in the vicinity of the bait within a couple of days. I find that within 2 weeks, it is difficult to find any ants around my home.

CAUTION: Borax is toxic. Do not place the traps in areas where children or animals (like the family pet) can accidentally open the lid and ingest the poison.

Try this simple but effective solution. It only takes a few minutes to get rid of ants and insure a season free of ant trouble.