How To Get Rid of Ants in An Apartment

Did you know that there are an average of 10,000 ants walking around every home right now? Isn’t that crazy? Most of us have been frustrated with the nuisance they create. From attacking our food to causing serious health risks, these tiny creatures can do more harm than you would have ever imagined! 

But not anymore, because we’re here to help you with everything you’d ever need to know about getting rid of those tiny ants in your apartment. In this blog, we’ll talk about common species of ants that you spot in your homes, their impact on health, and proven ways to deal with them more efficiently. Let’s get started! 

Most Common Types Of Ants

As they say, knowing your enemy is half the battle won. Before diving into how you can get rid of those ants, you must understand more about the most common types of ants.

1. Black Ants: While you’ll often notice black ants crawling in the gardens, you can also sometimes see them taking a tour of your homes as well. You might spot them in your kitchen, bathroom, or even bedroom searching for food.
   To stop black ants from taking over your home, you need a solid plan. That’s why we’re here with proven tips to help you deal with them effectively:
   • Keep your home clean 
   • If your home has damp spots, you’re giving them a reason to stay. We recommend you fix any tap or pipe leakages to keep them away from your home. 
   • Check the areas under the sink or around your bathroom and try to keep them as dry as you can. 
   • Now most of you might wonder, does vinegar get rid of ants? The answer is yes! Ants have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find food. You can use this against them by placing strong-smelling substances like peppermint, eucalyptus, or vinegar around your home.
   • Try finding out how ants are sneaking into your home and seal their entry points. 
2. Red Ants: These tiny light brown pests are more aggressive than their black counterparts. They can also cause allergic reactions if they bite you or anyone in your family. Though they’re less common indoors, they might sneak into your home after rain, searching for dry shelter and food.
   How do you get rid of ants after rain? 
   • Spray them with a solution containing equal portions of water and vinegar. 
   • Sprinkle some cinnamon directly on the red ants to choke and kill them. 
   • You can also kill them by spraying a mixture of lemon juice and water on them in 1:3 proportion
3. Sugar Ants: You must have often noticed that some ants are particularly attracted to sugar. The moment you spill a sugary syrup or anything that’s sweet, these sugar ants start crawling all over your kitchen giving you a tough time.But before you panic, try using these tested tactics to deal with them,
   • Use soapy water to thoroughly wipe down every visible part of your kitchen floor and counter. This is a go-to way to erase the sugar traces and prevent the ants from walking all around your kitchen. 
   • Try placing bay leaves or cucumber peels in your pantry and areas prone to ants. 
   • You can also spread cornstarch on the entryways to get rid of sugar ants.
4. Carpenter Ants:  Of all the ant species, carpenter ants are the most hardworking ones. They work overtime and ruin your couch and furniture.
   Here are some ways that can help you how to get rid of ants in couch and wooden furniture,
   • To get rid of them, you can start by baiting them with a bit of jam and keep an eye out to follow them back to their nest.
   • You could also try mixing sugar and baking soda in equal parts. The sugar attracts them, while the baking soda takes care of them naturally.
   • If you find them spoiling your sofa or any wooden spot, we recommend you drill a hole where you think they must be hiding and use boric acid to deal with them. 
5. Fire Ants: Fire ants are the most dangerous of the red ants. In some cases, their bites can even be fatal. So, it’s safe to say we all want to keep these little terrors far away from our homes!
   They’re usually reddish in color. These scary ants make their home in mounds and can be extremely aggressive if they’re disturbed. Here’s how you can deal with fire ant mounds:
   • You should drench the mounds with liquid or granular insecticide to prevent the future breeding of these ants. 
   • Using natural remedies like boiling water, vinegar, or baking soda can also help you tackle them.
   • You can also try sprinkling diatomaceous earth around entry points, but avoid using it on counters.
   • Don’t hesitate to call professionals if the infestation is severe and none of the above works. 

Impact on Health and Hygiene 

By now you must have realized that ants may seem harmless at first, but they pose more risks than you might have ever imagined: 

• Food Contamination: Ants crawl through garbage, soil, and other unsanitary places before finding their way into your food. This can lead to contamination of the food in your kitchen and can cause potential health risks to you and your family. 
• Allergic Reactions and Stings: As discussed in the previous section, some ants like fire ants can sting and cause allergic reactions ranging from mild irritation to severe swelling and in some cases, even death. 
• Structural Damage: Carpenter ants can cause significant damage to wooden structures, compromising the integrity of your apartment and causing costly damages. 

what will keep ants away

Cleanliness is your first line of defense against ant infestations. Let’s run through 5 steps to keep ants away in your apartment and make it less attractive to them:

• Deep Cleaning: Ants for sure aren’t a big fan of clean apartments. Make sure to vacuum and mop your home properly and clean any crumbs or spills to prevent notorious ants from entering your home.
• Natural Deterrents: You can also use natural methods to repel ants. For instance, you can use vinegar, cinnamon, cornstarch, lemon juice, and so many other ingredients in your own kitchen to grapple with ants. 
• Homemade Baits and Traps: You can also create the ant traps on your own using sugar and borax. Consider placing these traps in areas where you’ve noticed ant activity. 
• Using Perfume: You might be wondering, “Does perfume kill ants?” While it’s not a conventional method, some people have reported that strong scents, like those from perfume, can help repel ants. The strong fragrance can disrupt their scent trails and make your space less attractive to them.
• Securing Your Apartment – The best way to deal with ants is to secure your apartment by sealing all the entry points, storing food properly, and using essential oils like peppermint and citrus which are natural ant repellents. 

Benefits of Professional Help vs. DIY

While DIY methods can help you with small infestations. You should definitely consider professional pest control services for the following reasons,

• Professionals have specialized tools and knowledge to identify the type of ants.
• They apply targeted treatments to effectively eliminate the ants.
• Expert services offer long-term prevention strategies to keep ants away.
• Professionals provide ongoing maintenance to avoid future infestations.
• Using experts saves you time and reduces stress associated with ant problems.

If you’ve tried DIY methods but still find ants creeping around, it might be time to consider professional help to get rid of ants in apartment once and for all.

FAQs 

What keeps ants away?

Vinegar, peppermint, and citrus can help keep ants away from your apartment. Cleaning your apartment regularly and sealing the entry points also repels the ants away.

How do I get rid of ants permanently?

We advise you to combine regular deep cleaning, sealing entry points, using natural deterrents, and using homemade baits to get rid of ants permanently. If you’re still facing persistent issues, consider professional help.

How do I find out where ants are coming from?

Follow their trails to locate their entry points, which are often cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and baseboards.

How do you kill an ant colony?

To effectively kill an ant colony, you can use baits that ants will carry back to their nest. This will poison the entire colony, including the queen.

With ants potentially marching into your home, it’s essential to take proactive steps to outsmart these tiny invaders. Discover effective strategies for cleaning, sealing entry points, and using natural repellents to keep your space ant-free. For persistent or severe infestations, professional help offers a thorough and lasting solution. Don’t let ants claim your territory—act now to safeguard your home!

For expert advice and tailored solutions on pest control, including dealing with ants in your bedroom, explore our services. We’re ready to help you reclaim your space with proven strategies and expert care.
With so many ants potentially invading your homes, it’s crucial for you to take effective actions to manage and prevent infestations. From keeping your space clean and sealing entry points to using natural repellents and insecticides, there are numerous ways to tackle these tiny invaders.

If you’re facing persistent problems or severe infestations, seeking professional help can ensure you a thorough and long-lasting solution. Don’t let ants take over—take control and protect your space today!

For more detailed guidance on handling pest issues like ants in my bedroom, check out our services. We’re here to help you tackle any infestation with expert advice and proven solutions.

Happy Cleaning!