I really hate to kill any life, but I also hate ants trying to eat my food. So how can I ant proof my apartment, or otherwise get these colonial creatures to leave me alone?
2007-05-02 11:05:12 · 6 answers · asked by Existentialist 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Ants don't care for mint or citrus, cloves or bay leaves, so think orange peel, peppermint tea, lemon juice, ground cloves, etc. If you can plant mint around the foundations of your home, you may deter them from entering. Vinegar has the same acid as citrus, so use it to clean with and ants won't feel welcome. (It probably erases or overpowers the odor trail other ants have left for them to follow.)
Clean bench tops and cupboards down really well, and then wipe down with a clean damp cloth that has a few drops of essential peppermint oil on it, you may need to apply a few drops of oil a couple of times.
Ants hate the smell of it and it is also environmentally friendly, and safe for humans and children, and no residue powders etc to clean up. And the big bonus is that the room smells fresh and minty. I also want to add that you can put the oil on a cotton ball after cleaning and put in the areas you have ants and that should help too...replace once the smell is gone.
I hope this is helpful,Good Luck!!! :)
2007-05-02 12:53:07 · answer #1 · answered by princess M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I might had killed atleast 50,000 ants by now by my single hand, but used an object though. But later discovered that, u can temporarily stop them using talcum powder. lol, yes, i know its funny, yes, i just tried it worked, I throwed on the way of the ants, and no ants in sight after few minutes. You can get cool, nice smell and the problem too might get solved.
Another way , WATER, ants can cross water, try spraying water on the way or before the ants could show up.
Try to track where they are showing up, if its inside of the building, watch their track and close their opening. If its outside may be report to the states health officer, that lots of bees, insects, ants etc are here. And when they showed up, inform about the ants. only if this problem is a worse.
2007-05-02 18:25:44 · answer #2 · answered by K.A.G.S. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have found that ants will leave if there is no food source. Put any opened foods in the fridge (peanut butter, cookies, bread...) and take your trash out right away. Don't let it sit for even a minute. Wipe down your counters and leave them a little bit damp. Ants hate water and wil not walk across your counters if they are wet.
2007-05-02 18:11:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be a good idea to report this problem to your landlord. A carpenter ant infestation may be indicative of a colony living in the timbers of your building. I have witnessed the destruction the little critters can do. They are attracted to moist wood and will tunnel into it to nest. You will not be able to prevent them from entering your home unless you get rid of the nest. Check out this website for lots of info on ants. I have used their products with great success.
2007-05-02 18:39:20 · answer #4 · answered by sassy sue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm...there are lots of ant traps on the market that kill the ants. I have seen a spray used, and you spray it over any places you think the ants use to get into your apartment, and they steer clear of the area without being killed. Can't remember what it was called though. Sorry :(
2007-05-02 18:11:09 · answer #5 · answered by senegalcricket 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wipe down counters, sinks, cupboard doors and shelves with diluted BLEACH water. Same with the kitchen and bath floors.
Make sure you take out the trash every day.
There are also natural sprays "orange scent" that deter ants.
2007-05-02 18:15:50 · answer #6 · answered by yackycritter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋