Keep food tightly covered.
Clean up food spills and crumbs immediately.
Rinse food and drink containers before throwing them in the garbage or recycling bins.
Clean your sink daily, including the strainer where food particles can catch.
Don’t leave pet food out all the time. (For my cat who likes to graze, I put the dish in a “moat” of water.)
What do ants eat?
It depends on the species. Many ants feed on “honeydew,” which is a secretion they get from aphids. Yard ants “have more of a protein diet,” Price says. “They have larger mandibles to collect small insects and body parts of dead insects.”
What smells do ants hate?
“There are essential oil blends that are effective at repelling ants,” Price says. Look for peppermint and other strong-smelling oils.
What household products kill ants?
Harlow-Ellis suggests Borax, but avoid other harsh household cleaners like bleach. These products would theoretically kill a couple of ants wandering around your home, but they are not effective for ant control since they have no effect on the colony. Plus, they’re harmful to kids and pets if left on surfaces.
What household products don’t kill ants?
Price says the internet is filled with myths that do nothing to stop ants. One is cinnamon: “They don’t like it but doesn’t repel or stop them.” The other is vinegar, which is one of the most common suggestions to get rid of ants. “It can temporarily disrupt the trailing pheromones, but they will reappear within a couple of hours,” Price says.
