Every spring, like clockwork, they appear. On the kitchen counter, along the windowsill, marching in a determined line toward whatever crumb you forgot about last Tuesday. Ant season has arrived, and this year's colony is just as motivated as last year's.
The good news is that a few simple steps can send them packing without an exterminator bill.
Seal the invitation. Ants follow a scent trail through a crack, gap, or opening you probably haven't noticed. Check where pipes and wires enter your home, inspect window frames, and seal any gaps with caulk.
Remove the welcome mat. Ants are foraging for food and water. Wipe down counters daily, store food in sealed containers, empty pet food bowls overnight, and fix any dripping faucets.
Try borax bait. A mixture of borax and sugar water, placed near ant trails, is one of the most effective home remedies available. Worker ants carry it back to the colony and share it
Peppermint and vinegar. Both disrupt the scent trails ants use to navigate. A spray of diluted white vinegar along entry points, or a few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball near problem areas, can redirect traffic remarkably well.