How to Get Rid of Ants the Eco-Friendly Way

Ants can be a definate pest when they enter our homes and gardens. If you're allergic to pesticides and sprays, or just want to get rid of your ants in an eco-friendly way, here are some natural ways to rid yourself of those tiny pests. You probably have some of these items in your home already!

Things You'll Need:

* Citrus, herbs, spices (depending on which you prefer)

Instructions :

1. Clean first! Make sure the area you are about to work in is free of standing water or food
Do Some Sleuthing
One thing that will help you get rid of ants is to figure out why the ants are coming in. What are they after? Maybe they are seeking out crumbs next to the trashcan or water dripping from a faucet. Cleaning these areas is a good first step towards ridding yourself of these tiny creatures.

2. Many of these herbs listed are easy to find and inexpensive to purchase. A lot goes a long way.
Dry Solutions
The following dry ingredients can be sprinkled in ant-infested areas to discourage further ant
excursions:
-Mint (Spearmint)
-Cayenne Pepper
-Chili Powder
-Coffee Grounds
-Bay Leaves
-Black Pepper
-Cucumber Slices

3. The acids in citrus burns the ant's feelers. Try using whatever you have in the fridge.
Wet Solutions (Sprays and Such)
You can mix a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and douse ant-infected areas. You can also make a solution of water and citrus rinds (Like orange, lemon,
lime, etc.) and put that in a spray bottle. Peppermint oil can also be effective. If the infestation
is small, sprinkle a few drops in the area.

4. Go to the Source
If you've really got a vendetta, you can go straight to the source of the problem. The best recommendation is to pour boiling water into the anthill. One solution that I have heard that I
have not tried personally is to put grits on the ant hill. I think the theory is that the ants will
eat the grits and that they will then swell up. Poof!

Tips & Warnings

• Some of these solutions are going to work for you and others may not. Most of these ingredients are cheap and are better than spraying chemicals in your home. Experiment with different combinations and see what works for you!
• The reason many of these ingredients work is because they contain some type of natural acid that burns the ants feelers. If none of these work, try another food that contains a strong, natural acid.
• Don't be afraid to use coffee grounds outside. It can also act as a natural fertilizer!
• Be careful if you have pets. You might want to try and keep them away from the area you are working on so that they don't eat your ingredients!

-Katharine Ann