Preventative measures, DIY methods can usually get rid of ants inside house
Although ants generally don’t harm people, infestations are a major nuisance. Fortunately, DIY and professional pest control options exist.
KEEPING ANTS OUT
If you see scout ants in your home, kill them immediately. Don’t leave any food out and keep kitchen surfaces clean.
If you continue to see ants, make sure you’ve closed off possible entry points, including small cracks in your walls or under windows. Start by caulking such areas, like window casings.
Next you can lay down barriers like salt or talc under doors to turn ants away, or apply scents such as vinegar, peppermint oil or cinnamon.
Bear in mind, anything you put down will also be of interest to pets and children, so be careful what you use. DIY METHODS FOR ANT REMOVAL
If ant explorers have morphed into a full-on colony, then you need a plan.
Start with soap and water. This will not only kill chemical trails, but any ants it touches. Add citrus to the water to increase effectiveness.
You can also purchase pest sprays and baited ant traps from local grocery and hardware stores. These use a mixture of sugars and ant poison, such as boric acid to attract, trap and kill ants. These traps won’t work on protein-feeders like carpenter ants, since the sweetness won’t interest them.
With a mixture of Windex, vinegar and water, you can spray around the exterior of the home where the house meets the pavement or ground to prevent more ants from infiltrating. Spray cracks around the baseboards and the base of the toilet if the infestation is in the bathroom.
HIRE A PEST CONTROL PROFESSIONAL
Large-scale infestations require a pro, who can locate the colony itself. Typically this starts by laying bait traps, which contain poisoned food taken back to the nest. Once found, exterminators can use a variety of techniques, including chemical sprays.
In the case of carpenter ants, early detection is critical. Left unchecked, they can cause significant damage to your home. A pest control pro may need to drill small holes in your wall to make sure the entire colony has been eliminated, and will often book a follow-up.
COSTS OF ANT REMOVAL
The cost to remove ants yourself can be quite low. The price of a liquid ant killer or an ant trap runs between $5 and $10.
DIY treatments may divert ants which haven’t established a colony, or deal with the scouts sent out to gather food. However, they aren’t as effective at long-term removal or in addressing large-scale infestations.
Professional exterminators can charge up to $1,000 to completely eliminate ants. A reliable exterminator can make sure ants don’t find their way back inside.