Natural & Organic Controls What? Effective methods of controlling ants include ant baits especially those made with boric acid or diatomaceous earth , glue trays, pheromone traps, and aerosol sprays containing mint oil, pyrethrin and/or d-limonene. Since ants do not usually harm the environment and are actually beneficial, leave outdoor colonies alone. How?
Boric Acid is deadly to ants, roaches and other crawling insects. Some boric acid products contain a food and or pheromone attractants. When using straight boric acid, mix a small amount of boric acid to foods that ants will eat. Sweet or greasy foods usually attract them. Mix at a ratio of 1 teaspoon to a cup of the food you are using for bait. Ants will take some of the boric acid back to their colony for other ants, assuming it is food, and feed to larvae, other workers, and even the queen. The colony can be severely damaged or eliminated. Although boric acid is relatively nontoxic, keep it away from children and pets. It should be enclosed in a bait station or placed in an area inaccessible to children or pets. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a dust-like product that contains the crushed fossilized remains of diatoms. The dust is ingested by the ant and affects the cuticle of the ant, resulting in its dehydration. The best part about DE is that insects cannot develop a resistance to it since there are no chemicals to which they can develop an immunity. If the area where the DE is applied becomes wet, it will need to be reapplied. Glue traps have a sticky surface that prevents the ants from escaping once they have ventured onto the trap. These traps are easy to use, since you only need to release the paper that protects the glue surface and place the glue trap along the ant trail. Pheromone traps lure ants as well as other crawling insects, and once inside the trap, the insects cannot escape.
Aerosol sprays containing pyrethrin, d-limonene/mint oil are most effective when used on a nest. The hardest part may be finding the nest, but watch to see where ants go, and eventually they will lead you to the nest. Aerosols can also be used as a contact killer when an ant trail is spotted. It will disrupt the trail so the ants will look elsewhere for food. Carefully read and follow all product label instructions completely for safe and effective application. 
When? Ant bait may take a few days to take effect before results are noticed. Setting the bait or applying the aerosol spray as soon as ants are spotted, however, will help in reducing the infestation as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more time it gives the colony to produce more ants. Why Choose a Natural Solution?
Natural solutions break down quickly into their natural elements. They are preferable to chemical pesticides that leave residuals where they are sprayed causing long-term detrimental affects on the environment. Natural Predators What? Anteaters are obviously predators of ants, as their name implies. Other predators includes spiders, toads, and lizards. Ants themselves can be predators of other ants, as well. How? Predators of ants will kill the ants and eat them for food.
When? Predators of ants find ants to be most abundant in the warmer months, generally when they are most active. Environmental Controls What? Properly storing food, keeping spills wiped up, sealing leaky pipes and filling external cracks in your house are all methods that should help control ants in your home. How? Do not leave food, including pet food, out in the open. Be sure to clean up all spills thoroughly. Check your pipes to make sure they are not leaking, and seal any that are leaking. Use weatherstripping or caulk around windows and cracks on the outside of the house where ants could enter. When? Store food in tight containers as soon as you have finished eating. Clean up spills immediately. Check pipes and faucets throughout the year. Check the exterior of your home for small cracks that could allow entry of ants in the summer and in the fall, when ants are either active or in search of a warmer home. Safer®Brand brings you a variety of effective insect control products that are gentler on the environment! Most of them proudly display the OMRI Listed® organic seal and comply for use in organic gardening! | 
