What is a good homemade ant killer? I have two dogs and three kids and I don’t want to poison them. I just want those ants gone.
Megan, Mississippi
Yes, there are pet friendly ant killers out there and many of them you can make yourself. When you asked about a good homemade ant killer that won’t poison your kids or pets, we have the answer for you. While this is something cheap, it really works. Plus, it’s something you probably have at home right now.
The solution to your ant infestation and flying ants, too, is white vinegar. Now, if you have just a few ants on occasion, mix up one part vinegar to one part water in a sprayer.
But, if you have a serious ant problem, your homemade ant killer without Borax involves using vinegar full strength. When you spray it directly on the ants, it kills them. It’s the best easy-to-make ant killer around!
If you spritz the places where they enter your home or tend to congregate, it repels them. And if you can’t stand the odor of vinegar, add lemon juice to it. Lemon and other kinds of citrus fruits are natural ant repellents. Your pets and kids likely don’t care for the odor either and avoid areas that you spray. However, if they decide to have a taste, it’s not poisonous, just unpleasant.
While you take care of the ants with vinegar, there are other steps to take so that ants won’t come back to your home. After you feed your pets, if you feed them indoors or out, don’t leave out any leftover food or crumbs that could attract ants. Wipe the area with a paper towel dipped in vinegar for good measure.
Make sure your garbage has a tight lid and keep the floors and counters free of spills. If you know where ants tend to enter your home, place cinnamon, black pepper, or mint there as a barrier. Of course, using these spices is better than putting down Borax or boric acid when you have small children and animals.
If you take a look at this article, you can see how to take care of certain species of insects, like carpenter ants:https://www.tipsbulletin.com/natural-ant-remedies-how-to-get-rid-of-ants/ So here’s to having an ant-free summer this year.