The Ants Go Marching : 4 Tips For Keeping Ants Out Of Your Home

The ants go marching one by one…

I hate insects. I really do. I can be ever-so-slightly dramatic when I spot them inside my home. So when everyone begins to bask in the glow of sunshine and warm temperatures, I am busy preparing myself for battle with the enemy–ANTS!

How to get rid of ants

When we moved into our home four years ago, I was not prepared for the amount of ants trying to take over my kitchen. We were trying to avoid the cost of an exterminator. So my battle began. That first summer was tough. I tested out different products and strategies. I had to stay vigilant daily. After four years, I am happy to say I have found 4 tried-and-true tips for eliminating the daily struggle.

4 Tips For Keeping Ants Out Of Your Home

1. Appliances 

In mid-March I pull out all of our major kitchen appliances (stove, refrigerator, desk, etc.) to do a deep clean. I sweep and mop every spect of dust and food off the floor behind each appliance. Then I wipe down the sides of each appliance and the counters before putting them back in place. 

2. Cabinets & Drawers

Next, I wipe down every cabinet, drawer, and pantry shelf in the kitchen. I am very determined to get every nook and cranny–even the silverware tray receives a good scrub. Coincidentally this happens to be the perfect time to assess what you may want to keep or eliminate. My shelves definitely feel a little lighter every spring.

3. EcoSmart

EcoSmart is my weapon of choice for inside our home. Once I see the first ant of the season, I immediately spray the entire perimeter of our kitchen, hitting the bottom of my baseboards as I go. I let it sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping it up with paper towels. I love that it doesn’t stain, and it’s pet and child friendly. I have tried other organic insect repellents to no avail. EcoSmart has been the only one to work immediately on contact. It does leave a strong peppermint odor, so I open a kitchen window for about an hour afterwards.

After four summers in our home, I have found that I need to use EcoSmart less and less, as the ant sightings become less frequent. I attribute that to the product itself and my keen eye when it comes to those creepy crawly insects.

4. Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer

We use Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer once a week during the summer. After the kids go to bed, my husband sprays the perimeter of our home. I love that it not only repels ants, but other insects and SPIDERS! Those eight legged creatures make my skin crawl. I attribute seeing a minimal amount of spiders and earwig bugs to using the Ortho spray.

After a lot of trial and error, I am happy to say this routine has worked wonders. I can go weeks without having to use EcoSmart.

I would love to know what you use to get rid of ants? Do you have a tried and true routine? 

 

Nikki Wildemuth
Nikki is new to the area. She graduated from the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities Campus in 2009 with a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education. She married her husband the same year. Nikki loved the creativity of teaching and continues to bring that same creativity as a stay at home mom. During the day you can find her chasing after her precocious toddler. By night she is a Pinterest junkie! She enjoys getting out and spending time with her family!

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