How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally by Apex Pest Control

How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally

Ants are fascinating to watch as they build miniature fortresses in the dirt or carry food 10 times their body weight across the sidewalk. But your admiration quickly turns to aggravation when they move into your pantry or start exploring your bathroom sink. If you’re looking to reclaim your space without turning to toxic chemicals, you’ll be pleased to learn there are many ways to get rid of ants naturally.

How to Identify Ants at Home

Different ant species have different appearances and habits that help you tell them apart. Here are the most common types of ants in Sacramento:

Carpenter ants are large, black, and known for chewing through wood. They don’t eat it like termites do, but they excavate it to create tunnels and nests, which can lead to structural damage if ignored.
Argentine ants are uniformly brown and relentless in numbers. They form super-colonies, which makes them particularly tough to deal with. They also travel in wide trails and are often spotted in the kitchen scavenging for sugar.
Odorous house ants are well-named. They’re tiny, brown or black, and absolutely stink when crushed. They love sweets and moisture, making under sinks or along bathroom tiles their favorite places to congregate.
Pavement ants are dark brown to black and nest under sidewalks, patios, and foundations. They often venture indoors in search of food, forming visible trails along baseboards and kitchen surfaces.

How Ant Colonies Function

Ant colonies are metropolises with highly organized structures. The queen is at the center of it all, whose only job is to lay eggs. Worker ants handle everything else, including gathering food, defending the nest, and caring for the young. They communicate with pheromones, which act like scented road signs that guide others to food and back.

This system is efficient and hard to disrupt. That’s why simply killing a few scouts isn’t enough. If the colony is still intact, they’ll send more. Understanding this structure is the key to figuring out how to exterminate ants in the house, especially if you’re leaning toward natural solutions.

Natural Methods for Repelling & Exterminating Ants

When ants invade, you don’t need to turn your home into a chemical war zone to fight back. Here are some natural ant repellents to try, many of which you probably already have in your kitchen or can easily find at the store:

White vinegar: Ants rely heavily on scent trails, and the strong smell of vinegar wipes them out instantly. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray it along windowsills, doorways, baseboards, and anywhere else you’ve seen ants traveling.
Lemon juice: Would you prefer a lemony fresh scent? This accomplishes the same thing as vinegar. Simply squeeze fresh lemon juice anywhere ants are sneaking into mess with their tracking systems.
Cinnamon: It smells great to us, but ants hate it. Sprinkle it along ant trails or near entry points to send a not-so-warm welcome message.
Peppermint oil: Add 10 to 15 drops of peppermint essential oil to a small spray bottle filled with water. Mist it around your home’s outer walls, baseboards, windows, and doors. This acts as a natural ant repellent that also freshens the air.
Diatomaceous earth: This fine powder is harmless to humans and pets but deadly to ants. Sprinkle it in thin layers where ants are active. The microscopic sharp edges scratch their exoskeletons, causing them to lose moisture and die from dehydration.
Baking soda and powdered sugar: Combine equal parts and leave small dishes of the mixture near ant trails. The sugary scent draws them in, but they end up eating baking soda, too. This reacts with the acid in their digestive systems, producing carbon dioxide. The gas builds up, disrupts their digestive processes, and eventually kills them. This method works best on odorous and Argentine ants that are drawn to sugar.
Boiling water: For outdoor nests, pour boiling water directly into the mound to instantly wipe out part of the colony. Just be cautious and avoid this near plants or wooden structures.
Sealed entry points: Natural ant extermination isn’t just about killing them—it’s also about keeping them out. Walk the perimeter of your home and seal up cracks with caulk. Pay special attention to windows, doors, and plumbing access points.

These solutions don’t work overnight, but with persistence, they can control minor to moderate pest problems. However, if you’re dealing with carpenter ants or a large infestation, consider bringing in a professional ant exterminator.

Why Choose Apex Pest Control?

Our company has been keeping Sacramento homes pest-free since 1978. We combine old-school knowledge with modern strategies—always with your family’s safety and comfort in mind. We believe good service starts with listening and ends with long-lasting solutions. Our Apex Pest Control Guarantee means if ants return between our regularly scheduled visits, we’ll get rid of them at no extra charge. Contact us today to schedule carpenter ant extermination in Sacramento, CA.