Peasant and Soviet-worker ingenuity did not bypass such aspect of life as pest control, including with ants. Some of these methods do not work at all, others show amazing efficiency, leaving far behind modern chemical insecticides. Do folk methods of control deserve attention in our high-tech times, how to get rid of ants in an apartment using folk remedies?
Most people who turn to folk remedies for fighting ants think not only about effectiveness, but also about safety. Soda, which is familiar to all of us, is not capable of causing harm to humans (of course, subject to certain rules), but at the same time it is a terrible poison for insects (ants) .
When it enters the body, soda becomes a catalyst for a chemical reaction. The fact is that the environment inside the ant’s body is very acidic, and a “quenching” reaction . This suppresses the nervous system and almost completely destroys internal organs.
Sometimes it turns out that the pest is simply torn from the inside - too many gases are released, the chitin cannot withstand the pressure.
But there is a problem - ants do not eat soda . Moreover, they try to avoid any contact with her. But this is a minor problem - people have come up with several recipes for soda against ants, which are guaranteed to attract pests .
- Half a glass of soda is mixed with half a glass of powdered sugar (you can take less), all this is diluted with two to three tablespoons of water. The resulting mass is rolled into balls or sausages, which are placed in places where ants accumulate.
- Two tablespoons of soda are poured into one and a half liters of hot water. The resulting solution is thoroughly mixed and shaken, after which the product is ready for use. This method is more suitable for summer cottages - the liquid is poured onto the anthill and sprinkled with sand on top.
- Soda in combination with vinegar has an equally lethal effect on ants. Everything is simple here - holes are made in the soil of the garden plot (of course, directly on the anthill), soda is poured into it, after which vinegar is poured. The quantity doesn’t really matter, the main thing is not too little. The mixture will hiss and bubble, and the ants will go to their ancestors for dinner.
Soda in , but this will not lead . Ants avoid contact with this substance, so all that can be achieved is the escape of the pests.
Ammonia for ants at home
Ammonia is not used to kill insects. Its smell strong for the ant sense so no bait, including sweets, will force the pests to come close to the source of the “ambre”.
Thus, with the help of this remedy one can only expel them from the house . By the way, this happens quickly and for a long time. You should not use ammonia in its pure form. You yourself will suffer from the smell, but there is nothing to say about pets - for their sensitive noses this is a real nightmare.
Ammonia should be used . To prepare it, you only need one bottle (100 ml), diluted in a liter of water at room temperature . The mixture is thoroughly stirred and shaken a little. After this you can:
- wash the floors with the solution;
- spray areas where ants accumulate;
- fill the anthill.
Any of the methods is effective; insects run away from the irritant like the devil from incense. the preventive remains for approximately 2-3 months. During this time, the smell will not disappear completely, and will remind you of itself.
Soda
Most people who turn to folk remedies for fighting ants think not only about effectiveness, but also about safety. Soda, which is familiar to all of us, is not capable of causing harm to humans (of course, subject to certain rules), but at the same time it is a terrible poison for insects (ants) .
When it enters the body, soda becomes a catalyst for a chemical reaction. The fact is that the environment inside the ant’s body is very acidic, and a “quenching” reaction . This suppresses the nervous system and almost completely destroys internal organs.
Sometimes it turns out that the pest is simply torn from the inside - too many gases are released, the chitin cannot withstand the pressure.
But there is a problem - ants do not eat soda . Moreover, they try to avoid any contact with her. But this is a minor problem - people have come up with several recipes for soda against ants, which are guaranteed to attract pests .
- Half a glass of soda is mixed with half a glass of powdered sugar (you can take less), all this is diluted with two to three tablespoons of water. The resulting mass is rolled into balls or sausages, which are placed in places where ants accumulate.
- Two tablespoons of soda are poured into one and a half liters of hot water. The resulting solution is thoroughly mixed and shaken, after which the product is ready for use. This method is more suitable for summer cottages - the liquid is poured onto the anthill and sprinkled with sand on top.
- Soda in combination with vinegar has an equally lethal effect on ants. Everything is simple here - holes are made in the soil of the garden plot (of course, directly on the anthill), soda is poured into it, after which vinegar is poured. The quantity doesn’t really matter, the main thing is not too little. The mixture will hiss and bubble, and the ants will go to their ancestors for dinner.
Soda in , but this will not lead . Ants avoid contact with this substance, so all that can be achieved is the escape of the pests.
Yeast and ants
Some people are dubious about this product, but in fact it really kills ants, and quite brutally. In the insect's body, they cause a reaction with massive gas release . As a result all metabolic processes are disrupted , the ant is paralyzed, after which it dies.
There is no point in using yeast in its pure form ; you need to use bait. More detailed recipes for preparing the products are discussed here.
Boric acid
It is harmless to people and is even used as a medicine. Ants die from boric acid en masse and quickly correctly ). The substance is inexpensive, so there will be no problems purchasing the poison. Just like yeast, it makes no sense to use it in its pure form - the ants are scared of the smell.
All recipes are based on creating delicious balls from different ingredients. The substance works quickly and reliably, but sometimes the technique fails - ants tend to adapt to certain toxic substances. Read more about this folk remedy here.
Cornmeal against ants
Not to say that this is a very effective insect repellent. The results from corn flour are questionable, and achieving them requires a lot of time. The principle of operation is based on the fact that ants love the smell of this product, but are not able to digest it .
Thus, the functioning of the digestive system is disrupted, as a result of which the pests die. Flour should be placed in small piles near places where insects accumulate. The method has a number of disadvantages :
- It’s not a fact that multi-legged animals will happily rush to collect corn;
- for the colony to die, each individual must try the food;
- cornmeal may attract other pests, such as cockroaches.
Whether you use flour or not is up to you, but remember that the result does not always live up to expectations . The optimal solution is to use it together with other insecticides , preferably chemical ones.
Vinegar for ants in the apartment
Vinegar will only kill an ant in some cases:
- if the insect tastes the substance;
- when a chemical reaction occurs;
- if an ant drowns in it (just kidding).
Thus, the action of the substance is aimed at expelling pests, and not at their destruction . The principle of operation is the same as in the case of ammonia (discussed above).
But it does not always cause disgust in insects; the essence is based on the fact that the ants lose their “smell” landmarks, which are confused by the product in question. As a result, the ants lose orientation in space, cannot get to food , and then go home .
Diluting vinegar in baits is not very effective. Its “aroma” strong, it is unlikely that even the most fragrant bait will be able to fight it off. The recipe is as follows :
- vinegar is diluted in any container with water (proportion – 1:1);
- the liquid is thoroughly stirred;
- the solution is poured into a spray bottle, after which it is sprayed near the anthill and in the vicinity of the main paths of movement of insects;
- After spraying with the residue, the floors are wiped in places closest to where the pests “reside.”
Judging by consumer reviews, the effect occurs 2-4 days after treatment . At first, the ants become fewer and fewer, and they become restless. As a result, the entire colony, led by the queen, leaves .
Folk remedies against ants have been tested by generations of our fellow citizens. Most of them are completely safe , but some precautions should still be taken, especially when working with vinegar and ammonia . Maybe you have a couple of new homemade recipes against ants in your “collection”? Share them in the comments!
Boric acid as a remedy for ants in the house
Using boric acid, you can get rid of house ants without resorting to harmful insecticides. Once ingested by an insect, boric acid gradually destroys the nervous system. Due to the accumulation of the substance in the ant's body, paralysis begins, which leads to the death of the insect.
Let's look at the popular and effective ways to use this antiseptic.
Powder
Boric acid in powder form can be used in several ways.
Recipes based on boric acid powder without adding liquid will effectively destroy ants.
You will need the following ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons of any jam;
- 9 grams of boric acid.
How to protect fruit trees?
Ants are excellent at loosening the soil, but they damage the bark of trees. They need to be protected. Special methods are used for this.
Adhesive and repellent belts
To prevent insects from climbing up the trunk, make a repellent belt. There are many options:
- whiten with lime;
- wrap the barrel from below with tape;
- lubricate clotheslines with Vaseline and wrap the tree;
- Apply grease to the barrel.
Tie with foil (slippery side out and sharp edges). Make a design like a skirt.
Wrap polyethylene and coat with tar. Make the belt closer to the ground.
Water ditch and tires
To limit access to the trunk, dig ditches around the perimeter and fill them with cement mixture. When the concrete has hardened, pour in water.
For the same purpose, use tires from car wheels. To do this, cut in the center so that you get 2 rings. Insert through the crown onto the circum-trunk circle upside down. Pour water.
The second option is convenient when the tree is massive and it is impossible to thread a rubber ring through the crown. In this case, the tire is cut and inserted under the tree, and the cut edges are fastened with staples, etc.
To prevent insects from moving to the trunk, the rubber is lubricated with turpentine, oil and other oil-based substances.
Borax solution for ants
Borax is a sodium salt of boric acid that has a pronounced toxic effect on house ants. Housewives have long used this substance to kill insects in their homes.
Preparation
Making insect bait using borax is very simple. In two hundred grams of water you need to dissolve a teaspoon of concentrated (20%) borax solution, add a little sugar or honey. You will end up with a very toxic ant killing solution.
How to remove house ants from an apartment:
Application
The poisoned solution must be distributed over flat lids or saucers. Place baits in the kitchen, near baseboards in rooms, and in areas where you frequently see ants.
Lures
The purpose of baits is to lure all insects at the same time to one place, where a trap or poisonous substances awaits them. For this purpose, products are used that have a pleasant aroma for ants (to attract them).
With boric acid
This is a recognized substance among gardeners. To prepare the product, a powder mixture is used, which can be purchased at a pharmacy.
Peculiarities:
- a weak concentration of the substance does not destroy immediately, it acts gradually (the ant, returning to its home, regurgitates the remains of food with acid, as a result of which it poisons all other family members);
- strong concentration kills instantly;
- boric acid helps to sterilize females and males, so the reproduction process stops.
Best recipes:
- Add 20 g of boric acid to 400 ml of water. Add a little jam, honey or sugar to attract. Use the liquid to trap (pour into open bottles) or spray the paths of insects.
- Take mashed potatoes or minced meat, mix in a 2:1 ratio with acid. Form into balls and place in a place accessible to insects.
- In 1 tsp. (5 g) boric acid, add boiled or raw egg yolks (4 pcs.). Pour in a little fragrant vegetable oil and stir in enough flour to form flour crumbs. Scatter it in the favorite areas of insects.
- Combine 1 tsp. acids with 4 tsp. glycerin, 1 tbsp. l. water and sugar (the amount is arbitrary). Make balls. Place them in areas where ants often appear.
With borax
Borax is considered as effective as boric acid. Compositions are made from it:
- 1 part granulated sugar, 0.5 parts substance. Place in lids from jars and plastic bottles. Place containers near potential anthills.
- To the same mixture, add water mixed with honey to form a paste. Used against house ants. Apply the mixture onto pieces of cardboard and place it on the floor.
With baking soda and cereals
The alkaline substance destroys ants. It is enough to sprinkle soda on the path along which insects move or fill up the entrance through which they enter the house.
The second option is to mix soda with water until a paste forms, adding a little honey. Pour into caps. Place the containers at a short distance from the ants’ homes.
The safest method is to scatter millet grains on the floor or pour them into an anthill. The principle of action is that millet, when mixed with gastric juice, swells greatly and clogs the stomach. The process leads to the death of the pest.
With starch and yeast
The yeast, after being eaten, swells in the ant's stomach. Starchy substances affect the gastrointestinal tract. This is fatal to the insect. The products are used individually or together:
- Dissolve the yeast in warm water, adding a little honey. Pour into the caps. Place it around the apartment.
- Sprinkle the anthill with a dry mixture of starch, ground black pepper and salt.
Sweet baits
Ants have a big sweet tooth. This is especially true for domestic pests. They can often be seen near sugar bowls and saucers with jam. Sweet baits are designed for this weakness.
First way:
- Pour 2 tbsp into 200 ml of water. l. sugar or 1 tbsp. l. honey/jam.
- Pour the solution into a shallow container. Place it on the floor. Ants, hoping for a “sweet treat,” will drown in the liquid.
Second method:
- Spread 2–3 mm thick stationery glue over a piece of cardboard.
- Place a treat (sugar, honey, jam, candy, etc.) in the center.
- Place the trap in the area with the greatest concentration of insects.
Most often, ants crawl towards such a trap at night. The downside is that the glue dries quickly, so you have to make a new trap every evening.
Useful tips
The effectiveness of the fight against house ants depends on the correct use of boric acid and borax. We bring to your attention useful recommendations for preparing poisoned baits:
- Be sure to follow the recipe proportions;
- If you have pets at home, replace minced meat with pieces of fruit or sweets;
- Be sure to place baits in areas where you most often see house ants;
- Remember that boric acid can accumulate in the human body and be harmful to health, so handle the substance with care.
Video about home remedies for cockroaches and ants in the house:
Fighting ants with boric acid and borax is a long process, so you need to regularly change and prepare fresh insect bait.
The presence of insects in an apartment is not a pleasant sight. It evokes only negative emotions in everyone. Therefore, we have to look for a solution to the problem. On the one hand, it is much easier to purchase one of the products offered in the store. But not all of them help at once. Others give results, but not at all what they expected. Still others, characterized by the rapidity of the effect, are toxic and are not suitable for residential areas where there are children and animals. What to do then? After all, the need for deliverance is 100%. Insects not only leave traces of their presence, but also damage furniture and food. Most of them pose a threat to human health and life. Even ants, seemingly harmless goosebumps, are already a serious threat. Getting rid of them can be delayed for several months or even years if not approached correctly. Traditional methods will save you from an unpleasant neighborhood and are safe. For example, boric acid against ants in an apartment. The recipe offered by folk practice has variations, but all of them are effective in controlling pests.
Time frame for disposal
The time you spend exterminating ants depends on several factors. One of them is the time of the destructive effect of the boron preparation on the colony. One ant that gets acid into its body will die within two hours. But expecting that the entire colony will die just as quickly is too optimistic.
When you start fighting insects, be patient. Remember that the nest may be located several tens of meters from your apartment or property. Delivery of the poison you have prepared to the very center of the nest can take considerable time.
Obviously, it will take more effort and time to destroy garden ants, since the territory is open and it is almost impossible to limit crawling predators’ access to alternative food sources. Aphids are such protein food on the site. Killing ants means fighting aphids.
Why are ants considered pests?
Ant poison made from boric acid has been used for a long time. As evidenced by those who have already used recipes with this substance, the result exceeds all expectations. The main thing is that it is completely harmless and not difficult to perform. But in order to use it, you need to understand why cute goosebumps became pests. After all, it has always been believed that the ant is one of the insects that is beneficial.
In nature, there are more than one or even two types of small workers. But in a residential building or in the garden there are only two types:
- small black;
- red, much larger than the previous species.
In natural conditions, for example, in a forest. Creatures like ants are really useful. They monitor the cleanliness of the territory in which they live. Even in the garden, if they appear, they will be busy cleaning up the most harmful creatures: aphids, flies and larvae. Black and red ones will also remove pests from their path, as they feed on the larvae of aphids and other insects. But besides this, they eat vegetables and fruits and cause serious damage to plant roots.
Goosebumps carry many diseases on their paws
In an apartment, such neighbors are no less dangerous. A remedy for ants in an apartment with boric acid will save you from:
- parasitic infection;
- food spoilage. Especially grains and flour;
- from encroachment on the skin. This happens very often when housing is extensively infested. Attacks occur on children and the elderly, who are attracted by their smell.
The Power of Boric Acid and Borax
Boric acid against ants in the apartment in combination with borax, egg or other ingredients has rightfully earned popularity in use. But why are substances so unique? Why are they able to help in such a difficult situation?
The first ingredient that helps in the fight against insects is borax. Also called borax. It has been used for a very long time and not only on the farm as a poison against pests:
| means | peculiarities |
| Chemical name | Sodium tetraborate |
| Substance formula | Na2B4O7 |
| Toxicity and use | Recognized as toxic and prohibited for use in the food industry. Used as a preservative E285 |
In fact, according to chemists, this type of compound is poisonous only to very small creatures. It can have the same effect on humans as salt. But only ants will consume it during the preparation of the mixture. In case of contact with skin, it does not pose a threat. Used to clean surfaces such as windows and stoves, bathtubs, pipes. Removes organic contaminants. Suitable for whitening laundry.
It is often used as a separate universal insect repellent. Borax for ants has a recipe that is easy to make at home. You will need equal quantities of sugar, cocoa and borax. Mix well until smooth and sprinkle in places where insects like to walk. If you can guess where the anthill is, be sure to add this mixture closer to this place.
Let's move on to the question of how to poison ants with boric acid. You can prepare many recipes yourself using herbs, decoctions and chemical compounds. But boric acid for ants in the house is safer and has a fast-acting formula. Why? The secret is in the composition.
Boric acid against ants in the house is safer and has a fast-acting formula
Need to know! Each recipe should be carefully studied before use. If borax is used, it is best to monitor the dosage of the drug. If you overdo it a little with the powder product, the effect will last for a long time, since the ant will die even before it gets into the nest.
Let's start with the fact that boric acid is a medicine and is used mostly in medicine. An excellent remedy for head lice and infectious diseases of the eyes, skin and mucous membranes in general. At the same time, it has a negative effect on parasites. Such as cockroaches and ants. By preparing a mixture of eggs and acid yourself, you can forget about the invasion of uninvited guests. You can buy this substance in three forms:
To prepare bait for ants, only the second and third types of preparation are used. Once the acid enters the pest’s body, it begins to corrode the parasite’s body from the inside, which is what is required for quick disposal.
Insect control
To say goodbye to annoying neighbors, you need to use ant borax. It is sold packaged in small bags. It is a white free-flowing powder
Despite the fact that it is practically harmless to pets, adults, and children, it must be scattered with caution and in places inaccessible to animals and children.
Borax recipe for ants
Sugar bait
They start with the most standard option. Required:
- sugar - 20 g;
- borax - 2.5 g;
- boric acid - 2.5 g;
- viscous sweetness - 5 g.
The quantity can be balanced taking into account the scale. All ingredients must be mixed and placed on the prepared surface. Place in a place where ants frequent. For example, near the trash can. The bait will work due to its sweet smell.
Sugar bait
All you need is acid and powdered sugar. The mixture should be left in the insect habitat. Stages of preparing pest control mixture:
- Pour powder into powdered sugar. It’s better to do it on a lid or napkin.
- Place it in places where ants walk.
Poisoning should be done with caution so that the mixture does not get into food or into the hands of children.
Recipe with egg
Boric acid with egg
You can prepare the poison so that the ants readily react to it. Required:
- yolks - 4 pcs.;
- acid - 1 tsp.
The egg must first be boiled and only the yolk should be removed; the white is not needed. Instructions:
- Crush the yolks.
- Mix with powder in a small container, such as a bottle cap.
- Mix and make balls.
- Place it in the right place.
Household residents should not interact with this product. It is better to leave it near the door, threshold or garbage.
Syrup
Syrup for pests
Not only the mixture, but also the liquid version of the pest control will help remove ants. Use: 2 glasses of water, 0.5 tsp. boric acid, 4 tsp. Sahara. Stages of preparing the mixture:
- Dilute the acid in water.
- Mix with sugar.
- Pour into small containers.
- Replenish the liquid in the containers in a timely manner until all insects are eliminated.
The distribution area varies; you can place several caps around the room to make the bait more effective.
Glycerin mixture
Insects can be poisoned by surface treatment. You must first remove all food and utensils.
Need to use:
- sprinkler;
- water - 100 ml;
- sugar - 1 tbsp;
- glycerin - 1 tsp;
- boric acid - sachet.
To treat baseboards and cabinets, you need to dilute all ingredients in water. This option needs to be done several times a week.
Yeast
A folk method of exterminating ants in a home. Take acid, yeast, water and jam. The following proportion of ingredients is observed: 1/1/3/1. Option steps:
- Pour warm water into the yeast.
- Add all ingredients and stir until the mixture is homogeneous.
- Place into lids and place.
They are placed on baseboards, door openings, floor cracks and pipes. This is where ants can live.
