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OOPS! I HAD Ants in the House! Not Anymore! Quick Organic Solutions!

By Suzanne McLaughlin

Real Estate Agent with Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael)

July 05, 2014 06:18 AM

When I came back from walking the dog this morning, I noticed a few “scouts” on my kitchen counter!

Now, admittedly, though I am a pretty fastidious housekeeper, I might have missed wiping a spot or two when preparing the ribs and salad last night. But really? How did you guys get here?

Well, never kill the scouts until you see more of them so you know where they are coming from.

Be patient. I know that is hard to do when you see 5 or 6 on the counter! But, wait. You will see others coming from somewhere.

While you are waiting, prepare your defense(s). First, I load a spray bottle with liquid detergent for cleaning dishes….about one tablespoon per 8 oz. and then I add 1 tablespoon of vinegar and shake it. You don't need to go to the store to buy ANTKILLER! And, this is so much safer!

Now, when you see where they are coming from, spray them. Then caulk or putty or glue the hole. If you don’t you will have them back….guaranteed.

Then I spray the guys on the counter. They die immediately, then I bleach the whole area. And, follow that with another application of the soap and vinegar solution.

Both the soap and vinegar kill their “scent trails.” I was done in less than fifteen minutes, and felt good enough to celebrate with a glass of wine…..It is Saturday, I have no appointments, and the house is now clean again.

Cheers!

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Steven Murray, Broker, SRES® IRES SRS Toronto Real Estate Board

Right At Home Realty Inc. Brokerage - Oshawa, ON

Your Durham Region Real Estate Broker

This is good to know. Being non toxic I'll definitely try it. I'm surrounded by trees so we do get some ants now and then.

Jul 08, 2014 04:54 AM

Robert Smith

Preview Properties, PC - http://www.RealEstateMich.com - Brighton, MI

SRES, Search for Homes Brighton-Howell-SE Michigan

Great advice, Suzanne. With all of the recent 'green' solutions involving vinegar, I expect to see the price skyrocket to $5/gallon in the near future! ;-)

Jul 08, 2014 05:17 AM

Kathy Opatka

RE/MAX CROSSROADS - Ocean City, MD

Serving Ocean City, MD, & The Delaware Beaches

I use a boric acid & sugar spray that works very well. But I'm going to give you solution a try!

Kathy Opatka

Jul 08, 2014 05:25 AM

Kimo Jarrett

Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA

Pro Lifestyle Solutions

I'll try that solution with the ants outside the house.

Jul 08, 2014 06:09 AM

Susan McLaughlin

Keller Williams Realty - East Monmouth - Red Bank, NJ

Monmouth County Real Estate

I appreciate this solution, since I won't use Raid or other chemicals in the house, both for us and our dog. This is a great one. Do you go by Sue McLaughlin? (Me, too)

Jul 08, 2014 06:40 AM

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN

Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Thanks for the great comments. And, Who KNEW??? Hello, Sue McLaughlin!

Jul 08, 2014 09:16 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

I just use bleach and water and now they sell it so I don't have to make it anymore. I think Vinegar is wonderful so maybe I will try it next time. Thanks. I like the smell of it and use it to remove wallpaper.

Jul 08, 2014 09:33 AM

Sharon Sanchez

Ace Home Realty - Carson, CA

Your Number "1" Source For Real Estate.

Thanks for the info because I always kill the scouts. No wonder more keep coming back. Also I love the natural ant killer mixture.

Jul 08, 2014 10:19 AM

Marte Cliff

Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID

Your real estate writer

I love organic solutions - and I use vinegar for all sorts of things.

Most recently, I'm using it to rinse my clothes. I got "Contact dermatitis" a few weeks back - my arms and legs looked like raw hamburger! We traced it to the laundry detergent, so I switched, and still kept scratching, in spite of using prescription cream. Rinsing everything in vinegar did the trick.

Jul 08, 2014 12:17 PM

Sharon Parisi

United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX

Dallas Homes

Suzanne, I love your natural solutions! Keeping as many chemicals as possible out of our environment is a good thing!

Jul 08, 2014 02:58 PM

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I will give this a try next time. I just sprayed the little rascals yesterday!

Jul 08, 2014 09:46 PM

Debbie Walsh

SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY

Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

Ugh those pests have been such a problem this year after the long winter. Another great tip from the master!

Jul 08, 2014 10:08 PM

John DL Arendsen

CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA

Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

You hit the nail on the head with the fastideous housekeeper bit. That's the key. That stated you still have to fight to stay ahead of the game. It's an ongoing battle but the more attention you pay to your home the easier it is to stay on top of any/all pests.

Jul 09, 2014 12:31 AM

Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO

Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

We had ants in the past but not lately..thanks goodness! Thanks for the tip

Jul 10, 2014 05:31 AM

Tim Jernigan

Saginaw, TX

Wow, great advice! Not being a big fan of the smell of vinegar I have always just sprayed the trail with Windex and it killed them instantly plus killed the scent. But I never thought about not killing the scouts.

Jul 10, 2014 08:23 AM

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN

Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

I still have no ants. It worked! And I guess you could use Windex, it still has a vinegar base, but filled with other chemicals to disguise the scent. And, find the source, that is the important part....and seal it!

Jul 10, 2014 09:25 AM

Theresa Akin

CORPUS CHRISTI REALTY GROUP - Corpus Christi, TX

I have used this also. Beats those awful store bought chemicals that can ruin countertops andcan bring on an asthma attack.

Jul 10, 2014 10:11 AM

Tim Jernigan

Saginaw, TX

I have been in my home for 9 years and it has been an ongoing battle with sugar ants. They dont sting or damage anything they just annoy me. :) I noticed the previous owners had steel wool in the weep holes and little ant traps inside and outside. I am open to anything that will keep them out and not be dangerous or damage my home

Jul 11, 2014 05:38 AM

Sharon Alters

Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL

Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Suzanne McLaughlin this is a great idea. We have some in our shower now and I just don't want to call the bug man out.

Mar 20, 2015 03:47 PM

Wayne B. Pruner

Oregon First - Tigard, OR

Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

We have had ants forever. Nothing works long term. I will give this a try.

Sep 01, 2015 01:35 AM