YOUR home can become ant-free – without using toxic chemicals.
Experts have shared cost-effective tips on easy steps to be rid of these pesky insects.
No one likes to have a house full of ants – but there are natural ways to repel them[/caption]
Invasive crazy yellow ants have been targeted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service[/caption]
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) warned that despite summer ending, “don’t expect pests to go away anytime soon.”
In September it issued its “bi-annual Bug Barometer forecast” for the start of fall.
And the result wasn’t great for those nervous about home invasions by the annoying creepy-crawlies.
The NPMA said, “Milder-than-normal temperatures could extend pest activity well into the fall and even winter months across much of the United States.
Dr. Jim Fredericks, the association’s senior VP, added, “When colder temperatures are delayed, pests like ants, mosquitoes, and ticks continue to thrive, putting people and pets at risk for longer than expected.”
So, how should Americans banish these nuisance pests?
Some might resort to liquid, granular, or gel baits.
But others are put off by scary-sounding chemicals in contact sprays such as those containing bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and fiproni.
Plus, insecticide applications in residential areas can result in “significant water contamination,” warned the National Library of Medicine.
HGTV said, “Left alone, ant colonies multiply, and a small problem can become a nightmare pretty quickly.
“Each ant colony can contain hundreds or thousands of members.”
Fortunately, there are plenty of non-toxic options, including these alternatives suggested by HGTV:
- Citrus peel – Dry citrus peels from lemons, limes, grapefruit, or oranges. Blitz the dried peels in a food processor and sprinkle the powder where ants enter your home.
- Vinegar spray – Fill a spray bottle with equal amounts common white vinegar and water. Spray where ants invade.
- Oil spray – Essential oils including peppermint, tea tree and citrus types repel ants. Blend 1/4 cup of water with 7 drops of citrus oil or 15 drops of tea tree or peppermint oils. Shake well and spray along baseboards and windowsills.
- Cotton – Place a few drops of orange, lemon or peppermint oil on cotton balls and place inside cabinets or pantries to repel them.
- Baking soda – Mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar and place in a small lid or shallow container in areas they’re invading. Baking soda reacts with an acidic material in their stomachs and kills them.
- Corn syrup – Blend equal parts Borax and corn syrup. Smear on a small piece of cardboard. Ants love corn syrup, and when they eat it, the Borax kills them.
Other tips include ensuring your kitchen is regularly vacuumed to prevent them being attracted to food debris.
Ideally, seal all doors and windows, and cracks in your home’s foundation, as ants can pour into the tiniest of crevices.
Plus, keep an eye on leftover pet food, which also lures the pesky insects.
Don’t leave your cat or dog’s food sitting out longer than necessary.
Asian needle ants can tolerate cooler weather[/caption]
The bugs are small and blend in well with their surroundings, with most people noticing them after being stung[/caption]
Just several months ago The U.S. Sun warned about “killer” ants invading the United States.
An invasive species of carnivorous Asian needle ants has been spreading in several states, as they hunt for prey such as flies, beetles, grasshoppers, and termites.
Stings – which feel like a needle plunging into your skin – from this foreign species can lead to anaphylaxis, reported ABC.
As of June 2025, Asian needle ants had spread across 20 states, including Wisconsin, Texas and Washington.
In 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it had eradicated yellow crazy ants.
These are an invasive species which spray formic acid on birds, causing injuries including blindness and even death.
The ants were successfully removed from Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, a remote U.S. atoll in the Pacific.
The tawny crazy ant – which also produces formic acid as venom – was found to have recently invaded the Gulf Coast region.
The University of Texas in Austin said they spread at an “alarming rate, threatening wildlife like nesting birds.”
The South American species was first found in Houston in 2002, and “through sheer numbers these ants may directly affect the survival of nestlings.”
