When Ants Attack: How to Get Rid of the Summer's Most Annoying Insects

The summer time brings a lot of wonderful things: longer days, sunny beaches, and warm nights. However, the summer also brings scorching heat waves, power-outs, and, worst of all, ants!

If you have ever had an ant invasion, you know that they can be quite a hassle. Ants can get into all levels of your house, any room in your home, and every unsealed morsel of food. 

Pesticides are typically manufactured with harsh chemicals that can be harmful to people and pets alike. And, the efficacy of some pesticides depends on the species of ant and may not always succeed in your situation. Luckily, there are many ways to stop ants in their trails without the use of pesticides. 

Use the following tips and tricks to avoid ant attacks:

Crossing the Moat 

Ants often swarm pet food bowls because they are typically pungent and easily accessible. An easy way to avoid this issue is to place the food bowl into another bowl filled with soapy water. This bubbly moat acts as barrier to keep ants away from your pet's food.

Rubber Band Barrier

We often think that our jars and other food containers are safe from the army of ants, but that is not always the case. Whether it is through a loose lid or due to a little residue left on the exterior, ants sometimes still get to jarred goods. Supposedly, adding a simple rubber band to your containers may help keep the ants away.

Drawing the White Line 

Chalk or baby powder are two old home remedies for ant protection. Both contain talc powder, which is a natural ant deterrent. You can sprinkle either substances on areas in which your ants are invading. 

It's a Grind

Like chalk and baby powder, coffee grounds naturally deter these invasive insects. Coffee grounds are especially useful when sprinkled in your garden particularly if you are also having issues with wandering cats, as they repel cats, too. 

Get Vicious With Vinegar

Vinegar is great for cooking, but did you know that vinegar is a useful cleaning agent and ant repellent, too? Due to its level of acidity, vinegar solutions can kill most bacteria, mold, and germs. Due to its scent, ants avoid vinegar. Thus, cleaning your counter tops, floors, and any other at-risk surfaces can keep your house clean and ant free.

Remove The Food Source

This may appear simple enough, but during the summer season it seems like ants will go after anything. You may find yourself searching for a single, stray Fruitloop that rolled under your refrigerator and has since attracted a swarm of ants. Though it may seem tedious, eliminating the food source is a sure-fire way to eliminate the ants.

However you decide to handle your ant attacks, do not be discouraged if no remedy works 100% of the time. Ant infestations have less to do with the cleanliness of your home and more to do with the weather. Ants are more prone to invade during rain and drought - it is simply their biology. Thus, whether you use home remedies or heavy duty anti-ant chemicals, sometimes you will just have to wait it out.