Natural Ant Control

Ahh, spring is in the air, and the ants are in my house again?! Tired of those pesky ants but don't want to use pesticide and toxic chemicals? There are some organic options available that will help you keep them away from the house.

Never use pine mulch, the ant's love it and you will be practically sending them an invitation to move in. If you are using mulch in walkways or flowerbeds close to your home pick a fragrant cedar mulch to help keep unwanted critters away. Not only is it pretty, the strong scent sends ants packing.

Another natural method for ant control is to use Pennyroyal Mint. This is a fragrant herb that can be planted around your house. When planting this herb, be sure to plant it in a coffee can or other container to control the growth. It will spread prolifically if not contained, but if you really enjoy the mint smell when you mow the yard you can plant it like any other herb. I prefer to keep it contained so my whole yard does not turn into mint, just around the house to keep the pests away. English Lavender is an herb that works as well, and it has pretty purple flowers on it.

Other common fragrant herbs are good for keeping the ants at bay, and can most likely be found in your pantry right now. Cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cloves, garlic, citrus oils, and vinegar can be used to naturally control ants. Other household items that are worth a try are baby powder, chalk (ground up kid's type), coffee grounds, instant grits and cucumber peels.

It is important to take away temptation from them. Keep your counters clean and your food in sealed containers. If they are in your home, there is something they are after, most likely food. Wipe your counters regularly as well as sweep and mop regularly to pick up small tempting food particles that may be an available food source for your little nemesis. Keep your sink clean and dry, not a smorgasbord of food for a hungry little (or big) army of ants. The cleaner the better as far as your house goes when you are dealing with an insect problem.

If at all possible, you can destroy the nest (mound). Organically it can be done with boiling water or lemon juice. The process may need to be repeated a few times for them to get this hint that they are not welcome. There are many methods available for pest control & you need to choose which one is best for your situation and what type of infestation you have. Whichever method you choose be mindful if you have small children or pets etc... that some methods are not recommended, even if they are organic.