How to Safely Get Rid of Ants

Ant infestations can be a major problem in your home. While there are plenty of chemicals that can kill ants, most people would prefer to avoid toxic fumes around their homes. If you have young children or pets, you can't safely use many traditional insect killers. Since most are literally poison, it's too dangerous to have them around your little ones. Thankfully, there are many ways to safely get rid of ants without the use of toxic chemicals.

Paper towels

Household cleaner

Airtight containers

Vinegar

Water

Vacuum cleaner

Flour

Cornmeal

Borax

Baby powder

Pepper

Ground coffee beans

Clean the entire area where ants are appearing. Ants are attracted to food, particularly sugar, so it's imperative that areas are free of any food debris. Spray counters, floors and shelves with a standard household cleaner and wipe down with paper towels.

Store all foods in airtight containers. Due to their small size, ants have no problem getting into cardboard food boxes. Invest in some high-quality containers that will keep ants out.

Create a mix with equal parts vinegar and water. Spray the solution over the area where ants are flocking. This home remedy has been shown to repel ants.

Vacuum your floors often. If you have carpet, you may not see crumbs that are present there but they will indeed attract ants.

Sprinkle flour at the ant trail's origin. This will kill ants and discourage new ants from traveling that path.

Put cornmeal in the area where the ants gather. The ants will eat the cornmeal but they are unable to digest it. As a result, they'll die.

Distribute Borax around the exterior of your home. Borax is not harmful to humans or pets, but ants will not cross it. Baby powder will also work in a similar fashion.

Ants also stay away from black pepper and ground coffee beans.

Never leave food out, as it will undoubtedly attract ants.