So, yesterday, a bunch of ants came out of nowhere and completely infested my kitchen. It's getting hotter and they're looking for moisture, most likely, but it's getting out of hand. For every ten ants that I kill (I honestly want to cry for even killing them since I think carpenter ants are kind of sweet creatures), twenty more come back. The kitchen and the whole apartment is clean. There's no food out, but they're climbing into my appliances and kitchen equipment and it's really gross... Is there anything that you know that works to repel them away? I've tried cinnamon and it didn't work. I've tried powdered sugar mixed in with baking soda, and they avoid it like the plague even though it's mixed equally... I have two kittens, so I have to make sure that it's cat-friendly. Please give me any advice that you can. This is awful. ):
Carpenter ants can actually do a decent amount of damage, so I would call an exterminator if things don't improve. Can you tell where they are getting in? You can use glue or putty to patch any gaps they may be using. Otherwise there are some pet-friendly ant traps you can buy.
"Liquid peppermint soap, diluted in a squirt bottle will kill them. It will also prevent them from coming back."
"Leave a few tea bags of mint tea near areas where the ants seem most active. Dry, crushed mint leaves or cloves also work as ant deterrents."
"Trace the ant column back to their point of entry. Set any of the following items at the entry area in a small line, which ants will not cross: cayenne pepper, citrus oil (can be soaked into a piece of string), lemon juice, cinnamon or coffee grounds."
We used to have the same problem when we lived out in the middle of no where. It was awful, especially considering that I hate ants and think they're some of the most disgusting creatures on this earth. (Sorry ant lovers; if you exist) but I definitely would say call an exterminator or do a bug bomb, as they could easily end up in your food and everywhere else, which could cost you alot of money in the long run. Plus they're just icky.
I have this problem too! Usually I'm the type of person who puts my bugs outside but I've had to start killing the ants . I hardly keep food and I try to kill the ants whenever I see them but they refuse to go away. I'm supposed to be buying a insect bomb soon.
hoho i know this issue too well. ants invade our home like 8 times a year since we low key live in the forest. try terro's ant baits, you'll have hella ants for a few days but it'll supposedly kill off the queen. i recommend the kind that's already in the container.
I remember having an ant infestation awhile back, we tried bug spray but every time the ants would find another way back into our house, it was awful >.< So we tried ant baits instead, and the next morning we woke up to a bunch of dead ants on the floor, and they stopped coming back.
We found out why the ants came into our house though; we had just came back from vacation about a week ago, when the ants started showing up. Apparently our neighbors had a hose and everyday they would spray water through the hose and the water probably drained into the ground where the ants were, which was probably why they decided to take refuge in our home :/
For a temporary fix, use your vacuum to suck up the ants.
Cotton balls soaked in a mixture of boric acid and sugar works really well. You may have to alter that if the ants prefer more oily kinds of foods (I think peanut butter and boric acid works?).
GO TO THE STORE AND BUY SOME ANT-RID, maybe its called something else where you live, but when my house/ room was being raided by ants my parents gave me this liquid thing, you just put drops in areas where the ant paths are and over time the ants will go to them and start drinking? the liquid. It's really effective cause each time an ant drinks it and walks to another ant it passes it on. After the ants have gone just use warm water and a cloth to wipe the rest of the liquid away.
. I hardly keep food and I try to kill the ants whenever I see them but they refuse to go away. I'm supposed to be buying a insect bomb soon.
