Spring is the start of the mating season for ants, which means they can come into homes to search for food, but there is a simple way to keep them out with just one kitchen ingredient. It may seem common sense to use a spray to keep unwanted insects away, but this can be expensive, and many people do not want to use toxic chemicals in their home, especially if they have pets or children in their household.
Instead, a professional from Myles Pest Services has shared that the best way to get rid of ants is a natural remedy, as all you need is a little baking soda. It may seem bizarre, but baking soda reacts to the acids inside an ant and begins to produce carbon dioxide, and the pressure will build up inside the ant to eventually kill it.
The expert said: “Ants, like all living creatures, have a delicate pH balance within their bodies, and that’s where baking soda comes in.
“This magical compound, when ingested by ants, disrupts their pH balance, sending them spiralling towards their inevitable demise.”
There are many popular natural solutions to get rid of ants, such as using white vinegar, cinnamon, orange peels or even using spicy cayenne pepper.
These methods can work as strong smells as known to disrupt the pheromone trails ants use to communicate and find food sources, but it is only a short-term solution that will keep ants away for a little while.
Baking soda will outright kill ants and also help prevent an infestation as they will carry the solution back to their colony, making it an effective way to keep ants away for good.
How to use baking soda to get rid of ants
Ants are unlikely to eat baking soda by itself as it will not smell very appealing, so the best way to use it is to mix it with sugar to bait them.
Mix one part baking soda and one part sugar into a bowl and then pour it in places where the ants tend to congregate.
Sprinkle it near your kitchen doorway, around windows, and anywhere in the garden you have spotted ants moving around.
If you wish, you can also put some newspaper down before pouring the baking soda solution, as it can make it easier to clean up afterwards.
Once the ants have carried the solution away, it can take a few days or even a week for it to take effect on the ants, as they need time to transport it back to their colony.
The expert said: “Unfortunately, it’s not an instant knockout. It takes a bit of time for the baking soda to do its magic and wipe out the ant colony.
“When ants consume the baking soda mixed with a tempting treat, it gradually disrupts their digestive system, causing them to meet their untimely demise.”
However, after the time is up, you should not have any ants crawling around, so you can enjoy this spring without worrying about these pests sneaking into your kitchen.