Dealing with ant infestations can be frustrating. If you’ve tried commercial ant traps with limited success, DIY ant traps may provide a more effective solution. As pest control experts, we recommend three homemade traps that are easy to make and highly effective at eliminating ant colonies.

Why Ants Invade Homes

Ants invade homes searching for food and shelter. Some species, like carpenter ants, can damage wood structures. Others are merely a nuisance. To get rid of ants and keep them from coming back, you need to kill the queen and destroy the colony. This is best accomplished using baited traps that worker ants carry back to the nest.

Advantages of DIY Ant Traps

Commercial ant baits contain slow-acting toxins that take days to kill ants. DIY traps often work faster by using foods ants love. Since you make them yourself, you can customize traps for the type of ants invading your home. They also give you more control over trap placement. DIY traps are very affordable compared to commercial products.

3 DIY Ant Trap Options

Here are three homemade ant trap designs recommended by pest control professionals:

1. Borax Sugar Trap

This trap uses borax and sugar to kill ants quickly.

What You Need:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons borax powder
• Jar or bowl
• Water

How to Make It:

1. Mix the sugar and borax in a bowl or jar.
2. Slowly add just enough water to dissolve the powder and make a syrupy bait.
3. Place globs of the bait around ant trails or nests.

The sugar attracts the ants while the borax poisons them. Take precautions to keep children and pets away from the traps. This bait works fast, wiping out ant nests within days.

2. Boric Acid Bait

Boric acid is another natural pesticide effective against ants.

What You Need:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon boric acid powder

How to Make It:

1. Bring the water to a boil and dissolve the sugar in it.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the boric acid until well blended.
3. Let the mixture cool.
4. Soak cotton balls in the bait and place them along ant trails.

The cotton absorbs the sugar water, drawing ants in. The boric acid will kill them within a few days. This trap is very affordable to make.

3. Yeast Bait Trap

Yeast bait traps appeal to ants’ sweet tooth while the alcohol produced kills them.

What You Need:

• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups warm water
• Jar

How to Make It:

1. Mix the yeast, sugar, and warm water in a jar.
2. The yeast will activate and start producing alcohol and CO2 bubbles.
3. Place the jars around ant nests.

The CO2 attracts ants while the alcohol intoxicates and kills them. Replace the bait every few days as the yeast ferments. The yeasty scent draws ants in quickly.

Tips for Placing DIY Ant Traps

• Locate ant trails by watching where ants enter and exit. Place traps along these paths.
• Try different baits to see which foods ants in your home prefer.
• For outdoor nests, sprinkle bait around the perimeter of a mound.
• Indoors, put traps along baseboards, under sinks, and other problem areas.
• Use multiple traps to surround and eliminate colonies.
• Check traps daily and replace bait as needed.
• Continue using traps for a week after ants disappear to kill any survivors.

Asked Questions about DIY Ant Traps

Q: What household items work to kill ants naturally?

A: Some common pantry items make effective DIY ant killers, including borax, baking soda, vinegar, salt, and chalk. Create traps by mixing powders like borax with something sweet. You can also sprinkle items like salt directly along ant trails.

Q: Will ants keep coming back after using DIY traps?

A: Ants may return if the queen and central colony are not destroyed. Use enough DIY traps to surround and eliminate the entire nest. It often takes more than one treatment to get rid of all the ants. Persist with the traps for a week after ants disappear to kill any survivors.

Q: Where should I place homemade ant traps outside?

A: Focus on areas where you notice ants entering and exiting. Sprinkle bait around the outer edges of visible ant mounds. Also place traps along any sidewalks, patios, trees, and exterior walls ants are trailing along. Trap outdoor ants at their source before they can get inside.

Q: How do you get rid of ants in your kitchen permanently?

A: Use a combination of DIY traps and eliminating food sources. Wipe up any crumbs and spills and store food in sealed containers. Place traps around the perimeter of the room and under appliances. Fix any leaks and clear out damp areas ants are attracted to. Continue using traps for a while after ants are gone to ensure you kill the entire colony.

Q: What scent do ants hate to keep them away?

A: Strong odors like mint, citrus, vinegar, and spices can repel ants. Try planting mint or scattering lemon peels. You can also wipe surfaces with a vinegar-water solution. Use strongly scented detergents and avoid perfumes or foods with fruity aromas that attract ants.

Q: Are ant traps safe to use around pets?

A: Avoid using ingredients like borax around pets. They may ingest the bait while grooming. Boric acid products are low in toxicity but can still cause upset stomachs if pets eat them. Keep ant traps away from foods and surfaces pets access. Supervise children and pets when using any pesticides.

Preventing Future Ant Infestations

Eliminating ants completely takes diligence and patience. Here are some tips to help prevent ants from invading again after addressing an infestation:

• Caulk any cracks and crevices ants could enter through.
• Store food in sealed containers and avoid leaving out sugary substances.
• Clean up spills and crumbs thoroughly and take out trash regularly.
• Fix water leaks like leaky pipes, faucets, or appliances.
• Keep counters and floors clean by wiping them down with natural disinfectants.
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in problem areas to deter ants.
• Use natural ant repellents around entry points.
• Fill in any ant mounds located right next to your home’s foundation.
• Trim back branches touching your home and plants covering vents or windows.

When to Call a Professional Exterminator

If DIY traps don’t solve an extensive ant problem, you may need professional help. Consider calling an exterminator if:

• You are unable to locate or eliminate multiple ant colonies.
• Ants have nested inside wall voids, under floors, or other inaccessible areas.
• Carpenter ants are severely damaging your home’s wooden structure.
• You are uncomfortable using pesticide baits, especially with children or pets in the home.

Licensed exterminators have the expertise and stronger chemicals to fully eradicate ant colonies. Get professional assistance if DIY options fail to get your ant infestation under control.

Conclusion

Ants can be a challenging pest to remove from a home once established. Avoid toxic chemicals and save money by making your own ant traps. Bait recipes like borax sugar, boric acid, and yeast provide affordable and effective DIY options for eliminating ants. Strategically place traps both outdoors and indoors to surround and wipe out colonies. With persistence, homemade traps can successfully rid your home of invasive ants.

3 Effective Ant Traps You Can Easily DIY, Backed by an Expert

Dealing with ant invasions can be frustrating. If you’ve tried commercial ant traps with limited success, DIY ant traps may provide a more effective solution. As pest control experts, we recommend three homemade traps that are easy to make and highly effective at eliminating ant colonies.

Why Ants Invade Homes

Ants invade homes searching for food and shelter. Some species, like carpenter ants, can damage wood structures. Others are merely a nuisance. To get rid of ants and keep them from coming back, you need to kill the queen and destroy the colony. This is best accomplished using baited traps that worker ants carry back to the nest.

Advantages of DIY Ant Traps

Commercial ant baits contain slow-acting toxins that take days to kill ants. DIY traps often work faster by using foods ants love. Since you make them yourself, you can customize traps for the type of ants invading your home. They also give you more control over trap placement. DIY traps are very affordable compared to commercial products.

3 DIY Ant Trap Options

Here are three homemade ant trap designs recommended by pest control professionals:

1. Borax Sugar Trap

This trap uses borax and sugar to kill ants quickly.

What You Need:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons borax powder
• Jar or bowl
• Water

How to Make It:

1. Mix the sugar and borax in a bowl or jar.
2. Slowly add just enough water to dissolve the powder and make a syrupy bait.
3. Place globs of the bait around ant trails or nests.

The sugar attracts the ants while the borax poisons them. Take precautions to keep children and pets away from the traps. This bait works fast, wiping out ant nests within days.

2. Boric Acid Bait

Boric acid is another natural pesticide effective against ants.

What You Need:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon boric acid powder

How to Make It:

1. Bring the water to a boil and dissolve the sugar in it.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the boric acid until well blended.
3. Let the mixture cool.
4. Soak cotton balls in the bait and place them along ant trails.

The cotton absorbs the sugar water, drawing ants in. The boric acid will kill them within a few days. This trap is very affordable to make.

3. Yeast Bait Trap

Yeast bait traps appeal to ants’ sweet tooth while the alcohol produced kills them.

What You Need:

• 1 packet active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups warm water
• Jar

How to Make It:

1. Mix the yeast, sugar, and warm water in a jar.
2. The yeast will activate and start producing alcohol and CO2 bubbles.
3. Place the jars around ant nests.

The CO2 attracts ants while the alcohol intoxicates and kills them. Replace the bait every few days as the yeast ferments. The yeasty scent draws ants in quickly.

Tips for Placing DIY Ant Traps

• Locate ant trails by watching where ants enter and exit. Place traps along these paths.
• Try different baits to see which foods ants in your home prefer.
• For outdoor nests, sprinkle bait around the perimeter of a mound.
• Indoors, put traps along baseboards, under sinks, and other problem areas.
• Use multiple traps to surround and eliminate colonies.
• Check traps daily and replace bait as needed.
• Continue using traps for a week after ants disappear to kill any survivors.

Asked Questions about DIY Ant Traps

Q: What household items work to kill ants naturally?

A: Some common pantry items make effective DIY ant killers, including borax, baking soda, vinegar, salt, and chalk. Create traps by mixing powders like borax with something sweet. You can also sprinkle items like salt directly along ant trails.

Q: Will ants keep coming back after using DIY traps?

A: Ants may return if the queen and central colony are not destroyed. Use enough DIY traps to surround and eliminate the entire nest. It often takes more than one treatment to get rid of all the ants. Persist with the traps for a week after ants disappear to kill any survivors.

Q: Where should I place homemade ant traps outside?

A: Focus on areas where you notice ants entering and exiting. Sprinkle bait around the outer edges of visible ant mounds. Also place traps along any sidewalks, patios, trees, and exterior walls ants are trailing along. Trap outdoor ants at their source before they can get inside.

Q: How do you get rid of ants in your kitchen permanently?

A: Use a combination of DIY traps and eliminating food sources. Wipe up any crumbs and spills and store food in sealed containers. Place traps around the perimeter of the room and under appliances. Fix any leaks and clear out damp areas ants are attracted to. Continue using traps for a while after ants are gone to ensure you kill the entire colony.

Q: What scent do ants hate to keep them away?

A: Strong odors like mint, citrus, vinegar, and spices can repel ants. Try planting mint or scattering lemon peels. You can also wipe surfaces with a vinegar-water solution. Use strongly scented detergents and avoid perfumes or foods with fruity aromas that attract ants.

Q: Are ant traps safe to use around pets?

A: Avoid using ingredients like borax around pets. They may ingest the bait while grooming. Boric acid products are low in toxicity but can still cause upset stomachs if pets eat them. Keep ant traps away from foods and surfaces pets access. Supervise children and pets when using any pesticides.

Preventing Future Ant Infestations

Eliminating ants completely takes diligence and patience. Here are some tips to help prevent ants from invading again after addressing an infestation:

• Caulk any cracks and crevices ants could enter through.
• Store food in sealed containers and avoid leaving out sugary substances.
• Clean up spills and crumbs thoroughly and take out trash regularly.
• Fix water leaks like leaky pipes, faucets, or appliances.
• Keep counters and floors clean by wiping them down with natural disinfectants.
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in problem areas to deter ants.
• Use natural ant repellents around entry points.
• Fill in any ant mounds located right next to your home’s foundation.
• Trim back branches touching your home and plants covering vents or windows.

When to Call a Professional Exterminator

If DIY traps don’t solve an extensive ant problem, you may need professional help. Consider calling an exterminator if:

• You are unable to locate or eliminate multiple ant colonies.
• Ants have nested inside wall voids, under floors, or other inaccessible areas.
• Carpenter ants are severely damaging your home’s wooden structure.
• You are uncomfortable using pesticide baits, especially with children or pets in the home.

Licensed exterminators have the expertise and stronger chemicals to fully eradicate ant colonies. Get professional assistance if DIY options fail to get your ant infestation under control.

Conclusion

Ants can be a challenging pest to remove from a home once established. Avoid toxic chemicals and save money by making your own ant traps. Bait recipes like borax sugar, boric acid, and yeast provide affordable and effective DIY options for eliminating ants. Strategically place traps both outdoors and indoors to surround and wipe out colonies. With persistence, homemade traps can successfully rid your home of invasive ants.