Inexpensive Home Remedies to Prevent or Kill Off Ants

Ants are well known pesky little insects that ruin picnics, but they're also known for being in places they shouldn't be: like inside your house. Constantly buying pesticides and insecticides can cost a pretty penny over time. Fortunately, there are plenty of inexpensive home remedies and recipes to kill off these insects.

Multi-Insect Cigarette Spray

This particular home remedy works not only on ants, but on several different insects; so you're getting a "two-for-one." Simply soak a single cigarette in a quart of water. Then, pour the water into a spray bottle (and label it!) Simply spray the mixture around doorways, windows and so forth to prevent and kill off ants.

Boric Acid Remedies for Ants

Author's Note: Boric acid is deadly to ants, but it's also dangerous for children and pets. Therefore, when using this method, be sure to keep it out of reach of pets and children.

Mixing half a teaspoon of honey with half a teaspoon of boric acid is a sure way to kill off an ant colony. The ants will take the honey back to their queen, who will eat it and die within hours from the boric acid; thus killing off the entire colony, as no more ants can be produced by the queen.

You can also use any sweet type of "goo" and mix it with boric acid for the same effects, this includes any flavor of jelly. However, when using more watered down options (such as jelly,) you will need to use more jelly than acid to keep things thick for the ants to transport it back to their queen.

Fruits to Get Rid of Ants

An easy trick that requires no extra work on your part is to leave a piece of fruit, preferably a melon, in a far corner of your yard. By doing so, you are guiding the ants away from your home toward a different source of food. If you can, consider placing a small piece of fruit out there on a regular basis. This will keep ants out of your home and your kitchen.

How to Protect Plants in the Garden from Ants

Lastly, it should be noted that ants don't only cause issues inside the home; but also outside in the garden. Fortunately, there's a simple and easy way to prevent ants from ruining your favorite plants, whether they're vegetables, fruits, flowers or whatever.

Simply rub a small about of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline,) around the base of the plant. The ants won't be able to climb up onto the plant and therefore will leave it alone.