Hey homeowners and pet lovers! We know it’s annoying and stressful when those little bugs start invading your space. You try to clean, spray, and move things around but they just keep coming back, over and over again. But don’t sweat it because we’ve got your back with our insanely great child-and-pet-friendly-ant-control methods.
Understanding the Enemy
Let’s talk about our tiny foes, shall we? Ants are amazing survivors. They are super resourceful, super persistent, and can get into your house looking for food, water, and shelter. Their colonies can multiply in no time and before you know it, there they are, swarming your kitchen counter, your pantry, or near your pet’s food dish.
The regular ant control methods often include some harsh chemicals that can be harmful to children and pets. That’s why at Steel City Pest, we emphasize on child-and-pet-friendly-ant-control methods that are safe, effective, and let you breathe easy.
Child and Pet Friendly Ant Control Methods
Natural Barriers: Chalk, Cinnamon, and Diatomaceous Earth
These three items are in most households but you never thought they can be your secret weapons against ants. All you have to do is draw lines of chalk, sprinkle cinnamon, or spread diatomaceous earth powder over the entry points and ant trails. These natural ingredients create a barrier that ants will not cross, they are harmless for your children and pets but deadly for ants.
Vinegar and Water Spray
Another simple and powerful ant repellent is a mixture of vinegar and water. Vinegar has a strong smell that masks the scent trails that ants use to communicate and guide each other. Spray this on windowsills, doorways, and countertops and you’ve created an ant-free zone. The best part is that it’s completely safe for children and pets, so it’s a staple in child-and-pet-friendly-ant-control.
Lemon Juice
The acidity of lemon juice and its nice, fresh smell works as a natural deterrent for ants. Squeeze some near doorways and windows, or soak some cotton balls in lemon juice and place them around the house. It not only repels ants, it also makes your home smell nice and citrusy.
Baking Soda and Sugar Bait
Baking soda and sugar bait is a smart way to fight ants. Mix them in equal proportions in a shallow dish and place it where you see ants running around. The sugar attracts them and the baking soda messes with their digestive systems. This is completely safe for children and pets but of course supervise and place the baits out of their reach.
Mint Leaves
Mint leaves confuse and repel ants. You can sprinkle them all around your home or plant them around the common entry points. The minty smell is nice for us and our pets but it’s just too much for ants. You can even try using mint sachets in problem areas for a stronger effect.
Peppermint Oil Spray
Peppermint oil spray is a more powerful minty solution. Mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle with water and spray it along ant trails. This will break their scent lines and confuse them and they will eventually leave. Peppermint oil is a natural product but you should be careful, don’t use it excessively especially if you have sensitive pets.
Ant-Repellent Plants
Did you know some plants are natural ant repellents? Lavender, rosemary, and tansy are great for this purpose. Plant them around your home or place them in pots near the common entry points and it will not only repel ants, it will also enhance the appearance and smell of your living space.
Child and Pet-Safe Commercial Products
Natural solutions are great but if you need that extra punch, don’t be afraid to use commercial solutions too. At Steel City Pest, we have a range of commercial products that are designed with safety in mind. They have child-resistant traps and enclosed bait stations, making them harder for children and pets to access. And they still deliver the results without compromising on safety, making them a valuable addition to child-and-pet-friendly-ant-control.
The Best Is Prevention
Just as important as killing ants is preventing them from entering your home. By following a few simple habits, you can make your home unattractive to ants in the first place. Here are a few tips:
- Store Food in Sealed Containers: Keep your food in airtight containers especially those with sugar and your pet’s food.
- Clean Regularly: Wipe counters, sweep floors, and get rid of crumbs that serve as a food source.
- Pet Food Precautions: Keep your pet’s food and water dishes clean and free of leftover food. Ants love pet food dishes.
- Seal Entry Points: Check your walls, windows, and doors for cracks and gaps and seal them up.
- Landscaping Precautions: Trim plants and don’t let branches touch the exterior of your home as they can act as highways for ants.
- Eliminate Moisture: Fix leaky faucets and reduce sources of standing water both inside and outside your home as ants are also attracted to moisture.
Steel City Pest’s Ant Control
We get it, some DIY methods can take care of an ant problem. But when ant infestations get out of control, it’s a big job and often hard to do it all by yourself. Ant colonies can be massive, and if you don’t take care of the entire thing, they will keep coming back. And there’s no point using child-and-pet-friendly-ant-control methods that will take forever if there are thousands of ants marching around.
The good news is, at Steel City Pest, we have your back. We do targeted treatments and our methods are safe for your kids and pets. Our team has the training and experience to use advanced methods and we combine natural solutions and eco-friendly commercial products to make an effective ant control plan for your home.
We know it’s important to you to protect your home and keep your family’s health and safety in mind. We take that seriously and that’s why our focus is on solutions that are effective and with your family in mind. Whether it’s a small ant problem or a large infestation, we will be there to help you take back your space safely.
The Bottom Line
Ants are pesky but with our insanely great child-and-pet-friendly-ant-control methods, you can make your home safe for you and your loved ones. From natural barriers like lemon juice, vinegar, and mint to commercial child-safe traps from Steel City Pest, you have tons of safe and effective options.
One more thing to remember is prevention is just as important as treatment. By keeping your home clean, sealing up entry points, and storing food properly, you can make it a lot more difficult for ants to invade.
At Steel City Pest, we believe ant control should never come at the expense of your family’s well-being. With our help and your diligence, you can say goodbye to ants and have an ant-free, child and pet-friendly home.
