Are you wondering how to get rid of black ants?We provide information on how you should go about it. This includes how to kill little and huge black ants as we as how to kill black ants in the yard, in the house and even naturally.
When you come across a black ant at home, your first instinct is to get rid of them. But do you know how to do it fast? Black ants generally infest people’s home. Which are the effective methods approved by scientists? You’ve probably asked which are the best insecticides and baits to use. This article will give you detailed information. Just scroll down to understand more.
Do Black Ant Bites or Itch?
Generally, some ants bite or sting while others don’t. Those that bite or sting do so whenever they feel threatened. Let’s talk about black ants bite. Additionally, black ants can cause a very itchy sensation. You should resist the urge to scratch the itchy or bitten area, this can cause the skin to tear. Damaged or open skin can be cause bacterial infections.
What Do Black Ant Bites Look Like?
Anyone who has ever been bitten by a black ant will describe it as round, red marks with a raised mark at the center. The bite may appear as a single or a series of bites depending on how long the ants remained on the affected area. Also how aggressive the ants are.
Black Ant Bite Symptoms
Black ants tend to bite and leave a painful and itchy mark. It can lead to swelling and hives in the affected area. Some of the bites can cause more serious issues such as infection. In rare cases do the ant bites cause anaphylactic shock, a serous life-threatening condition.
Anaphylactic shock can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling of the throat or face, stomach pain, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea and even loss of consciousness. Get emergency medical help if you get any of these symptoms.
Black Ant Bite Treatment
Black ant bite can be treated from a number of treatment options available some of which you may have them at home. If you get bitten, wash the area thoroughly with cold water and soap. To relieve the pain, apply cold compress on the affected area.
You can also apply hydrocortisone cream to reduce the itching. To relief the itching and treat an allergic reaction to the bite, you may also want to take an oral antihistamine.
How to Kill Black Ants Naturally
The rule is where there is one ant, there’s a thousands more. This can be bothersome and you will have to think of ways to resolve the problems fast.
Here are some of the best tried ways to get rid and repel ants fast, naturally and safely.
1. Diatomaceous Earth / Silicon dioxide
You should probably try this product to kill black ants fast. Silicon dioxide is a type of silica comprising of remains of dead aquatic life called diatoms.
Although it is not poison as such, it get rid of ants and other bugs by absorbing the oils in ants’ skeletons thus by drying them out. Take precaution by avoiding breathing in or getting the diatomaceous onto your skin.
Silicon dioxide can be purchased online –
You have to follow package directions to use it to kill ants. Here’s how to use it:
- Identify where the ants are coming from
- Sprinkle the powder where the ants are coming from
2. Peppermint
Peppermint is known to be a natural insect and bug repellant that can effectively kill black ants at home.
Here’s how to use:
- Mix 10 or 20 drops of peppermint essential oil with a 1 or 2 cups of water
- Stir the mixture
- Identify the source of the ants and direction they are heading to
- Spray the mixture evenly
- Do this in areas such as baseboards and windows
- Allow it to dry
3. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil can also be used effectively at home to kill black ants.
Follow this procedure as directed below
- Mix 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water
- Mix evenly to make a spray
- Use it to spray the black ants
- Allow it dry
Alternatively, you can also use saturated cotton balls and place them where you’ve seen the ants.
Some people may find the scent of the spray too strong. Try combining a mixture of tea tree oil with peppermint oil and water
Store the tea tree oil far from pets such as cats. They can become very sick if exposed.
4. White Vinegar
Another recommended and effective way to get rid of black ants is white vinegar. Make a solution of vinegar and water. Mix the two in a ratio of 1:1. Still, straight vinegar can still work best.
White vinegar just doesn’t kill but repels the ants. You can also use white vinegar to clean and wipe kitchen surfaces, floors and countertops. When the ants smell the vinegar, it kills them by drying them out.
5. Boiling water
As simple as it may sound, yes boiling water works too. All you need to do is notice the hole where the ants are coming from. Pour boiling water into them. FUNNY! Boiling water will immediately and effectively kill many of the ants.
Boiling water may not be enough to kill of the entire colony. Make sure to combine any of the above mentioned methods.
6. Using baits
You can alternatively use ant baits to get rid of the black ants. Using a bait is very efficient way to get rid of the ants. Naturally, ants tend to get attracted to bait. It can be a simple mixture of poison and something sweet to attract the ants. The black ants will always come back for the sweet thing which is usually a bait.
You can otherwise use a commercial bait found in stores. But make sure the kids area out of reach.
7. Try Pesticide sprays
Here is another effective way to kill black ants at home. It doesn’t just kill the ants but it makes them go for good. Here’s how to make a pesticide spray
- Buy a store formula and mix up the content following the instructions
- Place the solution in a spray
- Spray the infested room and areas where the ants are coming from
- You can also apply the solution to the perimeter of your home to keep the ants from coming inside
Always make sure that children and your pets are out of the sprayed area. They can become ill and ingest the chemicals. Alternatively, you can purchase aerosol spray and directly get rid of the black ants. The spray can be applied anywhere where you spot ants and any cracks or crevices.
Pesticides spray leads to immediate death. You can sweep up the dead ants and throw them outs.
8. Chalk
This is a common home remedy to get rid of ants. Chalk has calcium carbonate that tends to keep the ants away. You can spray some powdered chalk in the areas where the black ants are coming from, or simply draw a line of chalk at the entry point. Make sure the line is out of reach to children in the house.
9. Lemons
The smell of lemon should be enough to keep the ants far from the house and their entry points. Squeeze lemon a lemon or place lemon peels from where the ants enter. Wash the floors, kitchen sinks and tiles with lemon juice added in water. Anything that smell and taste sour will surely keep the ants away.
10. Boric Acid
This is a type of poison that has been tested and proven to kill black ants and their queen within a short period of exposure. Once the ants come into contact with the acid, their bodies including their outer shells and stomachs are completely eroded.
Note: keep the acid away from the children and pets. Also wear gloves while using it.
Here’s a basic recipe for boric acids at home:
- Make a solution of 1 teaspoon of boric acid, 5 teaspoons sugar and 2 cups of warm water
- Stir gently until the sugar and the acid are completely dissolved
- Saturate cotton balls and place around your homes in areas where the ants are seen
11. Oranges
Just like lemons, oranges keep the ants away for good. Here’s how to use oranges to get rid of ants at home permanently at fast.
- Make a paste of ½ cup warm and orange peels
- Spread the paste around the entry point
- Wipe it afterwards
You can also place the peels on the kitchen sinks or any other place that these ants enter.
Tips to get rid of small and huge ants at home:
Here are some six tips that can help you get rid and prevent infestation of ants at home:
1. Identify their trails
The key to successful elimination of ants is to identify their trails. Ants move inside your home seeking food. Once the ant finds edible material, it carries it back to the nest thus leaving a trail.
2. Use ant bait indoors
This a simple and effective way to get rid of black ants. If you can avoid pesticides spray, then this is the way to go. Ant baits are generally edible material such as sweet or sugary carbohydrates mixed with poisonous substances.
3. Carefully use spray pesticides outdoor.
First, you have to follow the ant trails and identify their outdoor nest for the colony. Once you do, you can thereafter apply a pesticide that can kill the nest and reach the queen.
4. Cleanliness
Hygiene and sanitation is critical in the prevention and control of ants or any other pest. Ants move in search of food and water. But if you keep food sealed, all surfaces cleaned and floors swept, be sure to see no single ant at all.
5. Seal Entry Points
Ants requires small and minute areas such as cracks and crevices to enter homes. But if you seal areas such as the windows, doors and all cable, then be sure to get rid of some ants if not all. You should regularly check for tiny holes or cracks through which the black ants can enter your home.
6 Be patient
Finally, be patient. Black ants can be bothersome. One moment you see them the next they disappear and you think they are completely gone. However, if you apply pesticides, chances are the worker ants will carry the pesticides bait to the nest but can take up to days before the entire colony is eliminated.R
