The best ways to get rid of ants in your home and how to keep them out permanently

Prices are accurate at the time of publication.

• Two of the best ways to eliminate ants are Borax and diatomaceous earth.
• Essential oils, including peppermint and clove, are a natural way to repel and kill ants.

Dealing with an ant infestation is certainly no picnic — but there are a few effective methods that will help to evict the little pests for good.

We spoke to Godfrey Nalyanya, entomologist and technical services manager of Rentokil North American Pest Control and Noah James, owner and landscaper at Liberty Lawn Maintenance, to get their insights on why you might have ants bunking in your home, what you can do about it, and how you can take preventative measures for next summer.

How to identify types of ants

There are many species of ants across the United States. And, when deciding which method to use to eliminate them, it helps to know what kind of ant you're dealing with.

According to Nalyanya, the most common ants that will enter your home include carpenter ants, odorous house ants, and pavement ants. You may also see big headed ants, and on the western side of the country, something called crazy ants.

• Carpenter ants: A large species of ant that feeds and nests in damp wood with elbowed antennae and a pinched waist. Size ranges from 3.4 to 13 millimeters.
• Odorous house ants: Dark brown in color with an unevenly shaped thorax and a petiole hidden by their abdomen. Odorous house ants emit a very strong scent when crushed.
• Pavement ants: Worker pavement ants are small in size (about 3 millimeters) and are typically dark brown or black with a shiny shell.
• Big headed ants: Big headed ants are one of the easiest ants to identify — their heads are about three times the size of the rest of their body and they are much more aggressive than typical house ants.
• Crazy ants: The tawny crazy ant or Raspberry crazy ant moves in a quick and unpredictable manner. These ants are about 3 millimeters in size and are covered in reddish-brown hairs. They are often found in or near electronics.

Termites vs. ants

Despite their appearance being quite similar to the untrained eye, there's a big difference between ants and termites — including how to treat them.

Termites have a wide body with straight antennae while most ants have curved antennae with a pinched waist. If you suspect you have termites, call a professional exterminator for assessment and treatment.

If you've noticed that ants have started moving into your kitchen or pantry, it's time to take action. Below are several methods to either exterminate the creepy crawlers or lure them away from your home.

Make a homemade ant killer with Borax

Along with cleaning laundry, Borax — also known as sodium borate — is a natural mineral that will kill any ants that ingest it.

Mix Borax with equal parts water and sugar to make a syrup, and leave it in the corners where you've noticed ants. This method will work to kill the entire colony in roughly 24 to 48 hours, as the worker ants will bring the liquid back to the nest.

Important: Borax can cause irritation, so wear gloves when handling it and use it sparingly around pets and children.

Remove ants with diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) looks like white powder, but it's actually a naturally occurring substance made from the fossils of algae called diatoms. It offers a non-toxic and natural option for eliminating ants and any other crawling insects.

Sprinkle a layer of the powder in the areas you've noticed ants or anywhere you don't want them. The diatomaceous earth will then stick to the ants, dry out their exoskeletons, and exterminate them.

Repel ants with essential oils

If you're looking for a more natural approach, you can use natural repellents such as essential oils. Because ants are sensitive to strong smells, these scented oils can help to repel the little pests from the hot spots in your house, but they likely won't kill the colony.

Peppermint

A 2019 study found that peppermint oil, in varying concentrations, was more effective than lemon juice at repelling fire ants. Additionally, a 2018 study found that peppermint oil was far more effective than vinegar at killing and repelling fire ants. In some tests, 100% peppermint oil killed all the ants that were exposed to it.

Cedarwood

According to a 2014 study, cedarwood oil is very effective at repelling different types of ants and even ticks.

Cinnamon

One 2014 study showed that, in high concentrations, cinnamon essential oil could repel and kill ants. However, sprinkling the powdered cinnamon you have in your spice cabinet won't be as effective. Ants will just learn to avoid it and go to other parts of your home.

Clove

A 2017 study found that clove oil was 88% effective at repelling carpenter ants. This is likely due to the insecticidal properties of eugenol, a compound extracted from clove.

Quick tip: Other essential oils that may help repel plants include lavender and citrus.

Bait ants with peanut butter and honey

If you've eliminated all your food sources and potential entry points around the house, you can always coax the remaining ants to leave the home by putting a bait like peanut butter or honey outside.

"In terms of baiting the ants, although it sounds like a lot of work, you can easily make your own bait in a snap with some peanut butter mixed with honey or white bread crumbs mixed with either sugar or powdered sugar — both will yield results." says James.

If you're worried about an outdoor bait attracting more ants or want to ensure the colony near your house is killed off, consider adding Borax to the DIY mixture.

Bring out the ant traps and poison

Ant traps and poison are a tried and true method when it comes to eliminating pests, but James warns that pesticides are very bad for the environment. Additionally, ant poison can be dangerous for pets and young children, so be careful when applying these chemicals in your home.

Traps might be a good option for cottages or summer homes as they only need to be replaced or maintenanced every three months and will take effect in about 24 hours.

Best ant traps, poisons, and repellents

Not sure where to start with traps and poison? We tested some of the most common products on the market to find the best ant traps and repellents out there.

• Best ant killer overall: T600 Ant Dust, $8.99 at Terro
• Best ant killer spray: Raid Ant & Roach Killer, $4.43 at Walmart
• Best kid- and pet-safe ant killer: Aunt Fannie's Ant Remedy, $9.99 at Amazon
• Best ant nest killer: Spectracide Fire Ant Shield Mound Destroyer, $7.75 at Walmart
• Best ant bait: Terro Liquid Ant Bait Stations, $11.92 at Amazon

Seal up your home to keep ants out for good

It might seem like there's nothing you can do to keep ants out year after year — but there are certain tricks that can make all the difference.

• Clean up food and spills: "The best piece of advice to keep ants from getting into your home is to keep it clean," says Nalyanya. If there is food or residue, thoroughly clean the area in order to ensure there's nothing for the ants to graze on. If the ants congragated near a water source, make sure to remove the water or seal up any cracks to ensure there are no sources they could be getting into.
• Check your piping: It is also important to make sure you don't have any leaks around your pipes that ants could be attracted to, according to Nalyanya. "Take an inventory of your home to make sure any cracks or crevices are sealed," he says.
• Keep food stored away and not out in the open: Properly sealing and storing the food in your kitchen is vital. According to Nalyanya, ants are attracted to moisture and food, so they will try to make their way into a home to find those items, especially in the summer when moisture outside is scarce.
• Check for gaps and cracks in your foundation: "Since ants are so small, they can get into a home through any cracks, crevices, or gaps throughout the entire house," says Nalyanya. Ants also get to the interior of the home around doors and thresholds, through cracks in the floor, and through any penetrations that are not sealed properly.

Treat anthills to remove ants from your yard

Removing ants from the outdoors versus indoors is going to be a completely different story. You might not necessarily need to remove ants from your yard at all. But if you're finding it difficult to keep them from entering your home or you're worried about ants biting or stinging you or your kids and destroying your landscaping, it might be necessary to take the next steps.

• Apply ant spray: If you're going to try an ant spray in your yard, start by mowing your grass. From there, spray your entire yard with an insect killer that contains bifenthrin (pyrethroid insecticide). Note that this will kill other insects as well and may harm dogs, so be sure to read the label before trying this method.
• Pour soap and water on the anthill: If you've located the anthill in question, consider flooding the nest with a mix of dish soap and water. This will destroy the anthill and kill the colony without the same risks that come with using chemicals or poison.
• Target anthills with Borax: Like the soap and water method, a mixture of Borax and sugar will quickly wipe out an entire colony. Just pour the mixture directly into the anthill or in the surrounding area.
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the anthill: Simply spread the diatomaceous earth 6 to 12 inches away from doorways, plants, or any crevices leading into your house.

When to call an exterminator

If you've tried all of these methods and still have ants in your home, or if they keep coming back, you should bring in a professional. Hiring someone who knows how to kill the colony is especially important if you're dealing with carpenter ants, which can cause damage to your home over time.

Depending on the type of infestation you have, an exterminator may put out traps or treat the ant colony directly with poison. They will also ensure that your house is sealed from any future invasions.

Insider's takeaway

While wiping out a colony of ants can sometimes seem like an endless loop, taking action and following up with preventative measures is much easier than you might think.

Ants need both food and water to survive the summer, and can sneak into your home to feast on crumbs through small gaps in the foundation and even leaky plumbing.

Ensuring your home is sealed tight and free from open food and water sources, and that your backyard is free of anthills, will be your best bet in evicting the little pests.