How do you repel ants?
Question:We have window screens with a hole in them, which the ants are coming through. Any advice on how to repel them, preferably without the use of pesticides, would be appreciated.
Answers:
The best and safest way is to use boric acid. It is cheap to buy and usually comes in a large container. Follow the directions and the ants will take the acid back to the nest and take care of the whole colony. Read the directions-it is safe.
fix the screen
Try salt.
It really depends on the kind of ants. Raid has ant baits for a bunch of different ones. They work GREAT for Pharoh Ants which are really hard to get rid of. They are small red ants that people often confuse with fire ants. I use those baits all the time when I get them. Just be sure not to use any chemical cleaners or bug sprays where you put the baits. It will just make the ants go somewhere else in your house.
Salt doesnt work... The only way to truly repel them is with pesticide. But, luckily there are now many natural based ones out there. Just read the label!
Use spearmint gum, ants hate spearmint.
If you plant it near the foundation it will also keep them away from the house.
I find that pure mint oil works the best, I don't know why but it repels almost all bugs. Just wipe some on the surfaces and let it dry and you never see ants again.
A good product it Terro and it can be found at hardware stores. I have read that you can place corn meal around and they will take it to their home and eat it and die. I haven't tried, but it may be worth a try.
Some powders ants dislike but can you tape the holes with scotch tape temporarily?
take a drinking straw. cut it into 4 pieces. Mix some boric acid with peanut butter. Fill straws with peanut butter mixure. Place on the window sills.
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