Wood ants always build nests in wood, so these ants are usually found in and around homes. Unlike termites, these ants don't actually eat wood and only nest there. Wood ants can infiltrate houses and into sources of food and water. Read on to learn how to get rid of wood ants so they don't become a nuisance in your home.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Nest
Step 1. Make sure you are dealing with ants and not termites
Wood ants are large black or dark brown insects with three body segments and six legs. These ants have bent antennae. Worker ants are wingless, while reproductive ants have wings. Ants tend to walk long paths. Termites, which are a much worse problem than ants, have straight antennae and light colored bodies. Look for articles on Wikihow on how to get rid of termites.
Step 2. Pay attention to the phrase
Fras is a sawdust-like material that is left behind when ants make holes in wood to make nests. Frass contains body parts and splinters, but will basically look like a pile of light wood shavings. If you see this around the house, it's a sign you're facing an ant problem.
Step 3. Watch for wood damage
The wood used for ant nests has gaps or holes. Usually fras is also scattered nearby. Ants like to nest in walls, hollow doors, cabinets, posts, and wooden supports. Look for areas of damp wood, as ants like to build their nests in damp wood.
Step 4. Fishing with bait near the ants
You'll need to lure the ants with bait to find the nest, then follow their trail back to the nest so you know exactly where the ants are hiding. Place very small pieces of melon or other sweet fruit near what you believe is an anthill.
Step 5. Follow the ant trail back to the nest
When the ants eat the bait, follow them back to the nest. You may see ants crawling into the room on walls, cupboards, or doors. Follow along until you are sure where the anthill is.
- If the nest is visible and accessible, you can destroy the nest in the next step.
- If the nest is hidden and difficult to reach, you may have to use poison bait to kill the ants. The poison takes about three days for its effect to take effect.
Part 2 of 3: Wiping Out the Ant Population
Step 1. Use the poison bait method
This method is best to use if the anthill is hidden or inaccessible. Use poison bait to lure the ants out of the nest; the ants will carry it back to the nest, and in about three days the ant population will be poisoned. Buy some wood ant poison gel bait, then mix it with a spoonful of sugar and a spoonful of milk. Place the bait near where you think the ants live. Wait for the ants to come out and take the bait.
- It is very important that the bait you use is slow. If the poison directly kills the worker ants that are still on their way back to the nest, the thousands of ants still in the nest will not be affected. Choose a bait that takes about three days to work.
- Do not spray any wood ant trails you see with insecticides. This will not harm the waiting ants, and will make the ants feel the danger so they spread out to build more nests.
- If pets or small children are present, tamper-resistant bait stations are a safer option for dispensing toxic bait.
Step 2. Crush the hive with powder
This method is effective when you can easily access the nest and sprinkle ant powder directly on the queen ant and the entire colony. Choose ant powder and follow the directions on the package to sprinkle the powder on the nest.
- Diatomaceous earth is a naturally toxic powder that can be used to kill wood ants without spreading the poison into your home.
- Other chemical powders such as Delta Dust and Drione Pest Insecticide Dust are also effective, but they are toxic and pose a health risk to pets and children.
Step 3. Use boric acid bait
- You can buy boric acid at garden supply stores.
- Mix with powdered sugar, at a ratio of about 1/3 sugar to 2/3 boric acid.
- Fill the bottle cap with the mixture. Sprinkle it around the area where the ants are visible.
- When the ants return to the nest, this poison will kill the ants in the nest. Boric acid penetrates the body and dissolves in the body of the ant.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Wood Ants from Returning
Step 1. Clean your house so it doesn't become a breeding ground for wood ants
Clean floors well, fix leaky faucets that might wet the wood, and clean up messy areas that can provide shelter for ants.
Step 2. Seal any leaks in the house
Use putty to seal foundations and cracks around doors, windows, and any other areas where ants enter your home. Install screens on windows and doors.
Step 3. Remove natural dirt from around the house
Trim tree branches so they don't hang directly above the house. Remove weeds, leaves, piles of wood, and other natural debris that is close to the house and can grow an ant population.
Step 4. Clean up crumbs and leaks
Ants need sugar, protein and a source of water to survive. Preventing all of these from ants is the best way to prevent ants from infesting your home. Keep floors and countertops at home free of crumbs and clean up spills, especially sweet spills. Fix faucet leaks and make sure there is no water in the area.
Tips
- Take a stethoscope and listen to the wall you think is an anthill. You will hear a scratching sound that sounds like a swish or a knocking sound if ants are present.
- Use hidden poison as some of the poison can be tasted by ants. Do not kill ants by stepping on them.
