Hi friends,
So for over a week it has rained. Every. Single. Day. And we’re not talking about a little drizzle here and there. No, no. We’re talking full on thunder and lighting storms. *my basement thanks you, Mother Nature*
Now, I love rain. I love the smell of rain. I love curling up with a book and a cup of tea while it storms. Rain is awesome. You know who else thinks so? Ants.
Studies have shown that ant invasions and the weather are linked. Ants will be more likely to enter your home in wet weather conditions. And even though I knew this, when I spotted that first ant, I didn’t think anything about it.
And then I saw another.
And another.
And another.
Ugh, it was awful. I felt like they were crawling all over me. I even had a very vivid dream nightmare that there was a swarm on my bedroom ceiling. Needless to say I didn’t sleep at all that night. So to keep my sanity and be able to sleep peacefully, I knew these little buggers had to go.
Supply List
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Borax
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- A paper towel or cotton balls
- Empty soda cans (optional)
Instructions
- Stir the sugar and Borax together until well mixed.
- Add the mixture to the warm water and stir until completely dissolved.
- Soak cotton balls in the solution.
- Stuff the soaked cotton balls in the empty soda cans. The soda cans are optional but if you have small children or pets who like to explore, it’s best to take precautions so they don’t ingest it. Place the cans where you think the ants are coming in. I placed mine in my basement, under my kitchen sink, on my front porch, and in my back yard.
- Wait. Unfortunately it’s not an overnight cure, but once the ants discover the mixture, they will swarm it. In fact, you may see more ants than before. While it’s gross, this is actually great. The ants will take the mixture back to their nest and pretty soon they will disappear altogether!
If you don’t have a full on infestation, baby powder and cinnamon work really well as a barrier. Sprinkle a little bit wherever necessary and the ants won’t be able to cross over!
I’m linking up to these great parties!
Boy do I need this. And such a more cost-effective solution than those store-bought solutions. thank you for posting!
Michelle recently posted…Pitting Cherries the Easy Way
I hope it helped you Michelle!
XO, Chelc
Thanks for the recipe to get rid of ants. We just saw some last night. Looks like I may be mixing Borax and sugar today!
I followed you on Pinterest~
Blessings,
Melanie
Melanie Redd recently posted…A Patriotic Song for Sunday – “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
Oh, Melanie, you’re so sweet! Thank you! Hope this trick works for you!
XO, Chelc
I wonder if this would work for fire ants? We’ve had a lot of rain and the ant beds are on the rise. Not a problem with them indoors just in the garden and pasture areas.
Carole
Carole West @ Garden Up Green recently posted…Small Business Delivers Excellence
Hmm, never had an issue with fire ants thankfully but it’s worth a try! You’ll have to let me know if it works!
XO, Chelc
I’ve used the same recipe in my garden for ants outside. I just mix the Borax and sugar with some warm water in a screw on lid bowl. ( like glad or ziplock bowls) mix up ingredients, screw on top of bowl and drill small holes in the side of the bowl above the top of the ingredients . You can also use duct tape to ensure pets or squirrels etc. don’t get in the bowl.
This is a great post!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Jess recently posted…4 Ways Busy People Can Stay In Shape
Thanks, Jess!
XO, Chelc
I’ve never thought of the soda can thing! We are dealing with way, way too many ants out in my daughter’s play area. We have tried everything. I’ve been hesitant to try the Borax thing because of my daughter, my cats, and the random stray cats that wander into my yard. The soda can might be just the trick to help with that!
(visiting from A Little R & R Wednesdays)
Julie @ Logger’s Wife recently posted…Ways I Saved- June
I have a curious cat too, Julie, and the soda can works like a charm! Thanks for stopping by!
XO, Chelc
If the ants die around the house or in say the dogs water bowl is the borax that have in them have an effect on your pet?
This is so helpful! I’ve been getting some ants in my office and need a way to get rid of them. I’m going to try this!
Jenna @ A Savory Feast recently posted…The Wednesday Showcase #4
I hope this works for you, Jenna!
XO, Chelc
Thanks for this info. I have been having the same problem. We have had Lots of rain = ant problems.
Trish recently posted…Raspberry Lemonade Sparkler Recipe
Same here, it’s rained almost every day for the past 3 weeks! Hope this helps you, Trish!
XO, Chelc
Great post. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for bringing this to our party and we hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. Lou Lou Girls
Lou Lou Girls recently posted…Star Wars Themed Holocron Treasure Hunt.
Chelc, thank you so much for your tips on getting rid of ants! I have never heard of the baby powder and cinnamon one. I will definitely give it a try to keep them out! Thanks so much for sharing on Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. Hope you had a great holiday weekend!
Tara @ Lehman lane recently posted…Our 4th of July – Patriotic Sign DIY
I definitely prefer the cinnamon because it makes the room smell a little nicer. :) Thanks for stopping by!
XO, Chelc
I live in Puert Rico and ants can be a problem so this “recipe” works great!! Gracias!!!!
You’re welcome, Rita!
XO, Chelc
What I did was a bluebottle fly was flying on my window. I hit and it fell I noticed pharaoh ants in my kitchen called pest control but still had them after 3 weeks so I put fly in my then baby’s amoxicillin I watched as ants carried it away. They must have fed to queen ant hence killing off nest never had ants again.