10 Ways to Tell Bugs to Bugger Off
Are ants in your house driving you buggy? Wait! Don’t step on that ant! Stomping on every ant you see in your kitchen won’t solve your insect problem. And that ant scurrying across your floor might be the key to wiping out an entire ant colony. Check out these 10 expert tips for ridding your house of ants and other insects.
Create a Dead End to Ant Trails
Spray vinegar and water on trails. Disrupt the ant trail so more ants won’t follow it inside. Mix vinegar and water, then spray it where you’ve seen ants to cover the ant scent.
Make a Bait Menu
Test different foods. Test the ants to find out what type of foods they like. Set out sugar or honey, fried food and peanut butter, then see which food attracts ants. Use whichever food they prefer for bait.
Find the Nest
Spray nests with indoor insecticide. Look for water-damaged areas in the house and places where water has recently leaked to find the ant nest. Spray the nest with an indoor insecticide.
Spray Insecticide Along Major Routes
Spray indoor poison along entry points. Spray an indoor insect killer in places where ants can enter, including windows and doors, holes in exterior walls and cracks in the foundation.
Spray Poison on their Front Door
Spray outdoor poison below lap siding. Spray outdoor insecticide on the foundation walls, and on and under the first course of lap siding to keep ants from entering the house.
Uncover Every Nook and Crannie
Check grout lines and cracks. Look for ant nests or tunnels in the foundation or siding. Spray the area with an insecticide to kill the ants.
Spray Poison the Day After Lawn Treatment
Apply insecticide to lawn and shrubs. Spray a lawn and garden insect killer on the grass within one day of mowing. Also spray on trees and shrubs. Spray on a calm day to prevent drift.
Put the Fire to Fire Ants
Fire ants require special bait. Apply fire ant bait using a broadcast spreader. Fill the spreader over the driveway or a tarp to catch the granules that fall through the spreader.
Collapse the Bridge
Trim trees and shrubs. Trim back trees, shrubs and plants so they’re at least 6 in. from the house, roof and deck. This eliminates bridges for ants to reach your home.