Here's How To Deal With Black Ants In Your Tampa Bay, Florida Home
Having black ants running around in your home can be a nuisance. Not only can the ants be annoying but the ant colony itself can cause damage to your home. Having ants in your home can make your house feel unclean and some species of ant can be dangerous. Fire ants, for example, are known for their aggressive behavior and will sting humans given the chance, while carpenter ants, on the other hand, can be extremely destructive to property.
However, even simple black ants inside the home are more than just annoying. They have been known to carry bacteria that will contaminate foods and if they come in contact with an open would, they can cause infections.
There are about 12,000 variety of ants worldwide and many of the black and brown varieties are known to be common pests of homeowners in the Tampa Bay area. Many of us who have had ant problems before are frustrated by how they seem to decide to take over our house like they own it. Aside from keeping the house absolutely spotless, there are a number of natural remedies you can try that will keep ants at bay.
How Do I Get Rid Of Black Ants At Home?
Use Chalk
Surprisingly, one of the best home remedies for preventing ants from entering your home is chalk. Chalk contains calcium carbonate and ants hate the stuff. It disrupts the sensory organs used for navigation. To use chalk to repel ants, spray some powdered chalk on entry points or use hard chalk and draw lines at entrance locations to prevent ants from entering the home.
Lemons
Ants hate the smell of lemons. For an effective ant repellant, squeeze lemons or place peels at points where you see ants entering your home. You can also wash your floors in water that contains lemon juice. While the bitter and sour scents from lemons will work to keep ants away, anything sweet will attract them in droves. Be sure to keep sweet foods sealed tightly and keep your house clean and free of lingering food particles.
Oranges
Just like lemons, ants can't stand the citrus smell delivered by oranges. The best method for using oranges, is to grind up the peels and combine with water to make a paste. Spread the orange peel paste around areas where ants have been seen or any entry points. You can also leave orange peels on your kitchen counter as a deterrent. It is a great use for all your old orange peels.
Salt Acts Like A Poison
When it comes to black ants in your home, salt is a very effective form of pest control. Salt acts as an alkaline poison that can penetrate and infect the exoskeleton of ants. On top of that, it is super cheap! To use salt as ant repellent, boil water on your stove and dump a large amount of regular table salt in the water. Stir to dissolve all the salt. Let it cool and then place in a spray bottle. Spray the areas on a regular basis where you have seen ants and watch them disappear.
Black Or Cayenne Pepper
Ants love sugar but they can't stand pepper. The strong scent of this spice is an irritant and effectively masks the pheromones that ants use for navigation. Black pepper works well for this, but cayenne pepper is even better. Simply sprinkle around areas where ants are entering your home. You can also create a simple solution of pepper and water and then spray the same areas. Ants will avoid these spots and likely won't return.
Ground Cinnamon And Cloves
The compounds in cinnamon and cloves is an irritant to ants and they simply avoid the smell at all costs. You can sprinkle ground cinnamon and cloves at the entrance of your home. It is also a great way to keep your home smelling fragrant and earthy. For a more effective treatment, try adding essential oils to the spice to help enhance the smell of the cinnamon.
White Vinegar
Just like with citrus fruits, the acidic scent of white vinegar overpowers the ants sense of smell and causes confusion in the insect. As a result, they will avoid vinegar smells whenever possible. Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. For added effectiveness, add a few drops of essential oils and shake well. Spray the mixture daily wherever you see black ants, as well as along doorways and windows. It won't kill them but will provide an effective deterrent that keeps them from coming back.
Peppermint
Peppermint has been known as an effective natural pest control substance, not just for ants but all types of pests. Ants do not like the strong smell of peppermint and will avoid it. Try mixing about 10 drops of peppermint essential oils with one cup of water in a spray bottle and apply to areas where you have seen ants. Repeat daily until ants are gone. Peppermint grows well in Florida. You can also try planting peppermint outside around the house to help create a barrier against these household pests.
When All Else Fails, Call Super D Pest Control For All Your Pest Control Needs
These safe and natural forms of pest control can work well against a black ant problem, along with a dedicated cleaning routine. However, these methods can require consistent attention in order to be effective. To guard against black ants and other types of pests around your Florida home all year long, call Super D Pest Control for a pest control maintenance plan. A maintenance plan can keep you home pest free and safe for your family and pets. Call us today at 727-433-5310 or contact us through the chat feature below. We look forward to giving you a pest free home.