Ants Be Gone: Your Ultimate Guide to Banishing Them for Good

After squashing three massive, terrifying ants in the past 24 hours (clearly, the queen was on the lookout for a new palace, with her minions closely following behind), I realized I needed a quick and effective solution to this pesky pre-summer invasion, which seems to be wreaking havoc not just in my home. 

Here are some particularly effective methods to combat this nuisance:

1. Commercial Pesticide Granules - These granules serve as excellent bait not just for the ants scuttling right before your eyes but for the entire colony. The ants perceive these granules as easy and available food, and as they haul it back to their 'royal' nest, the secret will reveal itself - the granules are actually a potent poison that will eliminate the ants immediately and even destroy the entire colony. 

2. Natural Pest Control Solutions - Mint, peppermint, cinnamon, cinnamon mixed with honey, vinegar, talcum powder, salt, black pepper, paprika, cloves, powdered chalk, strong-scented essential oil, and geranium are considered natural ant repellents. So, how do you use them? Here are some methods:

a. You can plant mint, peppermint, and geranium plants and place them at the entrance to your doors/windows or along your garden. The strong scent will deter the ants. 

b. Spread talcum powder, crushed chalk, pepper, salt, paprika, and clove powder in various corners of your house and garden, and even directly into the nest itself. 

c. When mopping your floors, add a capful of vinegar or essential oil. You can also prepare a special spray using a teaspoon of vinegar, 10 drops of peppermint, five drops of cinnamon, and five drops of geranium. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray different areas around your home. If you notice a crack in the wall or door frame that serves as an ant entry point, spray it and seal it tightly.