Seal up any entry points with caulk or sealant. Then you can use natural deterrents, like coffee, white vinegar, citrus peel, or peppermint oil, which work to disrupt the pheromone trails that guide other ants.

These stations attract ants, enticing them with bait, and then transfer an ant-killer product onto them. The worker ants take this to the nest and it slowly kills the entire colony. In my case, I wasn’t sure where the nest was; however, there were a few places where the ant activity was more prolific, so I just poured a little pile of the granules in each of these places.

The best ant killers you can buy in 2023

Alharbi JS, et al. (2019). Monomoriumant is a carrier for pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria. Carpenter ants are most often found in forests, on logs and fallen trees. They tend to build their nests in these pieces of wood, excavating tunnels to live in. If you don’t want to kill them, then there are some humane options that seek to irritate the ants into moving home. Nemasys’ No Ant is just one such product, so may be worth trying if you’d rather avoid products that kill ants (and often other insects) outright. Anything else? Keep your yard clean of debris. Cut off any vines or vegetation that touches or leans onto the exterior walls of your house and windows that can make it easier for ants to enter your home. 19. Cut off sources of food You can also place the grounds on windowsills. The grounds may lose their potency once they’re dry, so make sure to change often. 14. Boric acid

You can spray or wipe lemon juice to detract ants by removing pheromone trails and masking the scent of food. Rather than poison the pests, Nemasys’ unique formulation harmlessly irritates ants to the degree that they abandon the nest and move away to a different area. Enjoy a beautiful display of daffodils in your garden next spring with this expert advice on how to plant daffodil bulbs Some products may be delivered straight to your door from one of our suppliers and these products will be labelled within the product description.Using ant bait, as well as directly targeting the nest (identifiable by a soil mound) is the best ant killer method to help control an infestation of fire ants. The Home Defence Ant Stop Granules are for outdoor use only, and can help with getting rid of ants on patios or lawns. Naturally, the formula is harmless to pets, people, other wildlife and the environment, too. If you want to be rid of ants without the killing, Nemasys No Ant is the obvious solution. Ants hate the smell of mint. Try scattering fresh mint around your home, particularly near entry points. Alternatively, use a few drops of peppermint essential oil on a cotton wool pad and wipe the areas of your home where ants tend to appear,' says Tim Warren, DIY Expert, Adkwik.

Combine spray glass cleaner with liquid detergent or dish soap to deter ants from coming into your home. The mixture will remove the ant's scented pheromone trail that they leave behind as they walk. Unlike some other ant killers, Nippon states that children and pets don’t have to be kept away from the treated area, which is good news if you were concerned about either. However, as with all chemicals, it’s still best to keep curious hands and paws at a safe distance – just in case. Talcum or baby powder is a safer alternative for pets and kids, and diatomaceous earth can be used for carpenter ants and other pests.’ Again this method doesn't directly kill ants but will stop them coming into the house by disrupting the scent trail. To learn how to get rid of ants in house and rid yourself of these scurrying pests, you need to find out how they're getting into your home. You might have to play detective a bit to locate their point of entry, so observe their movements and follow their trail - you probably won't be able to miss it, given that they come in such high numbers.It’s always recommended to read the manufacturer’s instructions first, to be sure exactly what your product is capable of and how it should be used, but these are some other insects that can be kept at bay by ant killers: Finding the nest, and treating it directly, is the most effective way to cause problems caused by carpenter ants. Looking for specialised gardening advice? Or just hunting for a specific product? Visit your local store and get help from dedicated staff.