Are you exhausted after beholding tiny pavement ants moving out of your kitchen counter or from your patio? You are not the only one! A lot of people in America are very keen on keeping their homes free of pests but at the same time do not want to use chemicals that are unsafe for their health. Let’s enter the world of pavement ant treatment and find out the best natural ways to reclaim your space.
Pavement ants are known for their not giving up nature. They are usually able to enter people’s homes through the little crevices in the foundation, sidewalks, or driveways.
Ant Bait for Pavement Ants
One of the most efficient DIY methods of how to get rid of pavement ants is through luring them with ant baits-
These are a combination of a food attractant and a slow-acting insecticide which are available in different forms of liquid, gel, granules, and mix stations. Ants are attracted to sweet or protein-based baits, e.g. boric acid, peanut butter, sugar.
Inside your house, keep a check under sinks, and after appliances as these are the most popular spaces for infestation. Outdoor treatment requires sealing of cracks in pavement, houses, and gardens.
It is very important to use both sugar-based and protein/grease-based baits. Sweet baits may be used throughout the year, whereas protein baits are particularly used during spring. Change the type of bait or move it nearer the trail when ants are not responding to it.
For better results, baiting should be done consistently until the activity of ants stops. If the bait is not enough or it is removed too soon, it will only lead to a rebound in the colony. The most effective method for dealing with small to minimal infestations is to employ the use of ant bait for pavement ants.
How do Baits Work?
The bait you place attracts the worker ant. They eat the bait and carry some of it back to the rest of their ant friends. As a result, the dwellers of the nest help in spreading the poison to other parts and ants of the colony. The method ensures that the bait reaches the farthest parts of the nest before killing the ants. In the long run, such a strategy deals with the root of the problem and not just the visible foragers hence leads to the total control of the pests.
Top 5 Natural Pavement Ant Killers
Instead of using a chemical spray, opt for the following effective natural remedies for the pavement ant treatment:
Diatomaceous Earth: This is not only safe to humans and pets but also deadly to ants. Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth on ant trails and entry points. It dehydrates the ants.
Boric Acid Baits: Combine one teaspoon of boric acid, two tablespoons of sugar and a small amount of warm water. Put cotton balls in this mixture and place them in places where an ant has been spotted. The worker ants bite the bait and carry it back to their nest thereby killing all the ants in the long run.
Vinegar Solution: Ants hate vinegar! The scent of the vinegar covers the odor and the ants become disoriented and confused.
Volatile oils: Oils like Peppermint or tea tree work wonders. 10–15 drops of each oil should be mixed with a cup of water. This mixture should be used to mist the entry points. The smell is too strong for ants and this is what keeps them away.
Cornmeal or Cream of Wheat: Ants may be drawn to the trails, but they are unable to digest the food, which makes it a natural step of the process of cleaning the colony.
Safe, affordable, and easy-to-use are the three most important features of these solutions. Also, it means you won’t have to give up your health while using pavement ant treatment.
5 Steps to Pavement Ant Control
Close the Openings: Caulk can be used in sealing cracks on the floors, windows, and doors. Ensure that there are no plants touching the walls of the house. These are the necessary precautions to avoid ant invasion and this is important for any pavement ant treatment strategy.
Keep it Neat: Store all pantry items in containers with tight lids, and you should clean all up the crumbs and spills instantly. Don’t forget to discard the trash frequently and make sure house is always neat.
Avoid Dampness: Pavement ants prefer living in a moist environment. Repair any leakage, use a dehumidifier, and maintain suitable ventilation. Dry out wooden constructions or just wait for them to become less habitable.
Use Natural Ant Bait for Pavement Ants: Put DIY or store-bought bait stations around the ant tracks and paths so they can be drawn into it. The workers will carry the toxic bait and spread it to the rest of the colony, thus eliminating the queen and her brood. No pavement ant treatment is more effective overall than this slow-acting approach whose extended duration effect is to kill them all until their mating inside the next cycle is over.
Repeat as Needed: Some natural methods might also need to be used a few times to be effective.
Conclusion
Nothing can stop you from having a clean house and a green environment. By using the above-mentioned pavement ant treatment methods, you can be sure that the problem is solved efficiently without any harmful effects.