Using Natural Insecticides To Get Rid Of Ants

Ants can be pesky creatures when they invade our homes. They can also be a risk to our kids and pets when they take over our yards thanks to their painful bites. In the case of allergies, ant bites could even be fatal. They multiply quickly and can take over a yard in no time at all. This can be a real hazard for small children who stumble into a fire ant hill since this type of ant swarms and bites repeatedly. As many know all too well, fire ant bites are painful for days after the attack has occurred. It is no wonder we want to find ways to get rid of these creatures as safely and effectively as possible.

Fire ants in particular are dangerous and aggressive. It is wise to take out an infestation as soon as it starts since the ant beds can grow to be huge plus they can take over an entire yard before you know it. Unfortunately, not only is over the counter ant poison toxic, it is not really all that effective. One reason is that ants become immune to them due to overuse. After years of exposure, the chemicals just lose their effectiveness against ants yet they can still harm other beneficial insects or even poison your children and pets.

Boric Acid

Even natural insecticides can be dangerous sometimes but they are far kinder to the environment and to humans than most chemical poisons, especially when you use them properly. A natural insecticide is one that comes from a natural source. For example, boric acid comes from the mineral boron and is commonly used on ants. It can be mixed with sugar or water or can be made into a borax soap along with sugar to be appealing to ants and yet safe to use around small children or pets. It is usually sprinkled around entrance points to houses, campers or apartments to form a barrier to the ants.

Cayenne Pepper

Another choice in natural insecticides to get rid of ants is cayenne pepper used as a liquid spray. You can grow your own pepper plants and make your own solution which can also be used to control other insects and even rodents. Just make sure your pets and children stay away from your plants since hot peppers are hot and can even cause blisters if they are eaten.

Corn Meal

Ants like to eat corn meal but they can't digest it so it is a good way to control them. It is low cost alternative to toxic chemicals.

You may be surprised to discover that such simple and non toxic solutions exist to control ants and other pesky insects. These natural insecticides benefit the environment and you too.

Insecticide Resistance Threatens Malaria Fight - International Business Times

International Business Times

Insecticide Resistance Threatens Malaria Fight International Business Times For other types of senior housing, you can access Seniors for Living's list of thousands of additional facilities. While existing prevention measures such as mosquito nets treated with insecticide and indoor spraying are still effective, experts said ... and more »

Israel to ban insecticides that could cause neurological damage - Haaretz

Haaretz

Israel to ban insecticides that could cause neurological damage Haaretz One of the substances banned is diazinon, which the Health Ministry this week included on the list of substances whose use will be restricted. Health Ministry officials said they still do not have data on the level of exposure to insecticides and its ... and more »

Hall: Many factors necessary to label a food organic - Times Record News

Hall: Many factors necessary to label a food organic Times Record News Use synthetic pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides), except for a few least-toxic materials which have no natural alternative. ■ Use antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones in animal production. ■ Maintain an organic system plan that ...

UConn Torrington Extension Center: Organic gardening, versus pesticides - Torrington Register Citizen

UConn Torrington Extension Center: Organic gardening, versus pesticides Torrington Register Citizen Let's talk a little about what organic pesticides are and what they are not. Most people feel a sense of safety/health when growing, purchasing and/or eating organically grown food. Because of this sense that something organic must be good for us, ...

Legislator: Bt eggplant is safe - Business Mirror

Business Mirror

Legislator: Bt eggplant is safe Business Mirror Thus, said Agham Party-list Rep. Angelo B. Palmones, a biotechnology advocate and a former science journalist. Agham is a party-list for science concerns. The Supreme Court (SC) recently issued a writ of kalikasan asking the proponents to reply to the ...

Insecticide alert for home gardeners, lawn keepers and yardscapers - knox.VillageSoup.com (blog) (subscription)

Insecticide alert for home gardeners, lawn keepers and yardscapers knox.VillageSoup.com (blog) (subscription) Here is the list of products including ones I found. Shoppers should read the label for active ingredients identification for all products even though the print is tiny and often the color makes it difficult to read. Note also that other insecticides ... and more »