Ants are annoying pests that can disturb your home or yard. Simply killing the ants you see will not solve the bigger problem and eradicate the entire colony. The only way to eradicate an entire ant colony is to kill the ant queen. Without the queen ant, the colony can be eradicated in a few months. However, this is difficult to do because the queen ant is always in the nest. To kill the queen ant, you can search for the nest and try to kill it directly using a kill kit or ant bait. You can also use natural solutions like borax or hot water.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Finding the Source Nest
Step 1. Get to know the queen ant
Queen ants can be identified easily or difficult, depending on the species. In some species, the queen ant is larger than other ants. However, the easiest way to spot a queen ant is to look for winged ants. For most species, queen ants have wings at certain stages of life.
- Because it is winged, once it is removed or detached, you can tell which part of the body originally had wings.
- The queen ant has a larger thorax (midbody) than other ants.
Step 2. Find the nest
You need to find an anthill in order to kill the queen. The location of the nest will depend on the type or species. Some ants make nests in wood or on the floor of the house. Other species nest in barns, soil, or gardens. There are also several types of ants that build nest mounds in the yard.
Don't kill any ants you see if you don't know the nest. Follow the ant's trail to its nest
Step 3. Destroy the nest to find the queen ant
Sometimes, you see queen ants around the nest. To force the queen ant out of its nest, drop or destroy the nest. If you see an ant queen, kill it immediately.
Be careful when killing the queen ant so you don't get bitten. Do not use this method if you want to get rid of fire ants
Method 2 of 4: Using Natural Methods
Step 1. Use hot water
One natural way that can be followed to kill the queen ant is to use water to "wash away" the colony. Prepare seven or 15 liters of boiling water in advance. Pour the water directly on the mound or anthill. This method can instantly kill ants exposed to hot water, including queen ants.
Do not follow these steps to get rid of fire ants. If an ant hits your body, you could get injured or injured
Step 2. Try using borax
Make a solution of borax or boric acid and sugar to kill the ants, including the queen. Mix 180 ml of maple syrup or honey that has been heated in the microwave with 60 ml of borax. Stir until the mixture is smooth and even. The mixture becomes "bait" for the adult ants. To make a whole bait that kills the larvae, use equal proportions of powdered sugar and borax, and mix thoroughly.
- Get a few large drops of bait in the middle of an ant "track" or path of traffic, including walls, fences, or sidewalks. Place the liquid and solid mixture along the path as you approach the nest. If there are multiple lanes of traffic, place a feed for each lane.
- Do not pour borax on plants in the garden or soil. If an ant colony is disturbing your garden, pour the borax solution into the container first to protect the soil and plants.
- You can buy borax from a supermarket or home supply store.
- Borax is a toxic substance. Make sure pets and children don't touch the solution.
Step 3. Try using corn starch
Corn starch is another natural ingredient that can be used to kill queen ants. Sprinkle a line of cornstarch around the nest or mound. The ants will bring powdered corn starch to the colony to use as food. The fiber content in starch makes the ants, including the queen if they eat it, swell and die.
Although it takes a long time, this step is considered more effective and provides a longer impact
Method 3 of 4: Killing the Ant Queen with Chemicals
Step 1. Use an insect killer product
If you know the location of the nest, use bug or ant-killing spray to kill the ant colony and its queen. Read the directions on the package label and look for specific ingredients in the product, such as bifenthrin, permethrin, or deltamethrin. Make sure you follow the instructions for use precisely because ant killer products are poisonous.
Use pesticides with care at home. Make sure you protect pets and children from exposure to ant-killing products
Step 2. Try using a cleaning product
If boiling water alone doesn't kill the ant colony, try covering the nest mound with a cleaning product. Use products available in the kitchen. Try using a mixture of dish soap and hot water. After that, pour the mixture over the mound.
- If you need a stronger mixture, try using a household cleaner or bleach mixture.
- Do not use cleaning or bleach mixtures in areas or places frequented by pets or children.
Step 3. Use ant bait
Ant bait is a type of pest killer that is toxic to ants. This bait has a sweet base mixed with toxic substances. This product can attract the attention of ants and make them think that the product is food so that the bait will be taken to the nest.
- The poison in the bait is carried into the nest and swallowed by the ants. If an ant dies and other ants eat it, the ants will also swallow the poison that killed the first ant. Eventually, the poisonous food can be spread throughout the colony, including the queen ant.
- This eradication process can take up to three weeks.
Step 4. Use the services of a professional
If you are unable to kill the queen ant and eradicate the ant colony, contact an extermination service. They can use other methods to kill the ants and prevent their spread/growth. This service is offered at a fairly expensive cost, so it's a good idea to use another method first before asking for help from other services.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Spread or Regrowth
Step 1. Clean the house
Ants are attracted to sweet and sugary things. If your home is cluttered with various bits of food, especially sweet crumbs, this can lead to ant breeding and nuisance. In addition, ants are also attracted to water, especially in hot climates. By cleaning your house, you can get rid of the things that encourage ant colonies (including the queen) to nest in your home early on.
Take the time to thoroughly clean the house. Check the bottom and back of the furniture. Carefully clean and tidy up the kitchen, dining room and children's bedroom. Look at the bottom of the refrigerator, drawers, and pantries, and see if any open or spilled sugary food or drink could attract the attention of ants
Step 2. Destroy any trails or traffic lanes
Ants leave a scent trail for other ants in the colony to follow. However, simply removing or even mopping up these traces is not enough to get rid of them. Try using vinegar to remove odor trails that ants can follow in search of food or nests.
Step 3. Get rid of ants naturally
If you want to get rid of ants, try using a natural solution. Sprinkle ground coffee on window or door frames. You can also sprinkle or rub cinnamon, crushed eucalyptus leaves, ground chilies, cayenne pepper, diatomaceous earth, or camphor oil around your driveway to keep ants away.
- Place garlic in cabinets and pans to keep ants away.
- You can also place natural plants that can kill ants in the house. Min and lavender can keep ants away from your home. This step helps reduce the harm caused by chemicals and provides a sweet, natural decor in the home.
