Once ants have entered your home, it’s tough to get them to leave without a lot of work. Many pesticides and chemicals used for ant control are tough on the environment, and homeowners are forced to choose between dealing with these annoying insects and feeling good about their effect on the planet.
Fortunately, we have a few eco-friendly ways to get rid of ants in and around your home without dumping harmful chemicals into an already unstable environment.
Chalk it Up
Do your kids love to draw with outdoor chalk? If so, you’ve just found an unlikely method for getting rid of ants. Use your outdoor chalk to draw lines around the entry points to your home. The calcium carbonate in the chalk repels the ants. You can also repel slugs from around garden plants by scattering powdered chalk around them.
A Sticky Situation
If you seem to have ants that are relentless in their pursuit of a certain object, try placing adhesive tape around that object. Create a sort of moat around the object on the surface to stop ants from reaching it. Remember to place the tape sticky side up to trap the ants from getting to their ultimate destination.
Dust the Area
Flour is most often used for baking, but we’ve got some additional uses for eco friendly ant control with this common household item. If you have ants that seem to love your pantry shelves, try sprinkling flour along the back of them. The flour repels the ants and they won’t cross the line to get into your food.
A Chefs Tool – Black Pepper
Sprinkle black pepper where you see ants. The ants will immediately scatter. Pay attention to where they run; chances are they will be exiting your house and you’ll be able to treat the entry area with pepper too.
When All Else Fails
Here at Planet Orange, we are committed to protecting your home in ways that also protect the environment. Call us for all your eco friendly pest control needs, and rest assured that you are doing your part to keep the planet healthy.