What can I mop the floor with to deter ants?
I know I can get ant powder or put down salt or what not, but I dont want to use anything on the floor that can hurt the pets (or me as I have bare feet in the house). So I want to mop the floor with something that is likely to deter the ants. We have around 3 in the kitchen today and I hoovered up about 6 yesterday.
So are there any oils or natural products I can put in the mop water to help them decide they are not welcome in the kitchen?
So are there any oils or natural products I can put in the mop water to help them decide they are not welcome in the kitchen?
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I have concrete floors so it was maybe easier than if someone has wooden floors and lots of routes in.
Yes unfortunately we have a dog who leaves little crumbs over the floor. I do hoover every day but during the day when Im not here he leaves the crumbs for me. I have the back doors open a lot so I suppose the ants like to come and go as they please.
I was thinking things like tea tree oil or something. I really dont want poison because of the pets.
Time to put the kettle on. The ants we have use the same nesting spot every year.
Whether it was the lemon that discouraged the foragers or the spiders got 'em I don't know. I'll follow the same procedure 2016 and see what happens.
If you haven't already done so, check exterior walls for perimeter entry points and where interior walls meet the floor and around entry door thresholds. Fill any gaps and cracks with low modulus sealant eg: http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-builders-silicone-clear-310ml/83710?_requestid=356394
You could also get some chalk or talcum powder and make a line of it outside the house - right at the join between the house and the path. Ants are unlikely to cross it.
I would have thought that lemon would attract them being sugary and all? And doesnt make the floor all sticky?
What about lemon oil in the water?
Its citronella oil you need .Its a bug detterent and smell good too
Sorry is this you thanking me for my helpful post? If you think that lemon juice diluted with water makes the floor sticky why don't you just carry out a Google search. Like I did before I decided to try it in my home. Why pay out for lemon oil when you can get a whole lemon for 29p, but fine if you have money to waste go ahead.
Yep. Nippon Ant Killer spray gun. Spray a strip around where they are coming from, or liberally around the nest, let it dry, job done. It says on my bottle:
"Once treated areas are dry, children and pets need not be excluded".
Yes, I agree with this, lemon works well. I don't know about mopping your floor with it, although I suppose you could try a bottle of lemon juice diluted with water?
The third and from much experience best option ?
Vinegar.
It doesn't matter where, be it work surfaces, floors, walls etc. I know that the smell isn't great when first applied, but over a few days that eases to our noses..though not for the pests in question - ants..oh *AND* Silverfish.
Just ordinary malt vinegar, nothing fancy,,not even diluted. The internet is convinced mostly it has to be white vinegar (which would work as well I guess..but ordinary malt vinegar is equally effective). Splatter it about problem areas..it really is that 'technical'..maybe use kitchen paper to wipe it more evenly along surfaces as mentioned - and it trumps all else, even the two alternatives mentioned.
Believe..don't believe..whatever..I am right, used it myself periodically over the years to huge effect.
Good Luck regardless
P.S...and don't pay a penny for these daft overpriced/ineffectual in comparison, specialist sprays that are not even a patch on these 3 cheap cheap options.
tia > ignore 'advice' like putting down poison or trying to block ways in..they are ants..if they want to get in, then they will, Avoid sugary/sweet substances being left out too. If bits of sugar, or even food crumbs etc are dropped, then sweep then up and keep tops and floors as clean as possible..without being daft obsessive about it.
Once clean use the vinegar - cheapest and most effective option - for a few weeks. Come back and tell me I'm a dick if wrong.
That damn cocky..I'm right though
Goodness me, why so defensive, I was asking a question about your advice, its called having a discussion.
Thank you for your helpful post.
They are effective, 100% for me for years and you can't get better than that. I still have some in the £3 bottle I bought a few years ago, only have to use it, sparingly in 2 or 3 particular thresholds and corners, 2 or 3 times a year.
Quick, effective, invisible, safe for kids and pets when dry (doesn't take long), no messing about and cheap as chips. Nippon spray.
Lemons aren't sugary - thus the bitterness! They don't cause any stickiness at all - they are an excellent natural, non-toxic cleaning product and can be used to clean all sorts. Have a google.