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.

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

UConn Torrington Extension Center: Organic gardening, versus pesticides Torrington Register Citizen By JAMI SYLVESTER Let's talk a little about what organic gardening is and what it is not. 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 ...

In-Utero Pesticide Exposures Linked to Brain Abnormalities - eNews Park Forest

In-Utero Pesticide Exposures Linked to Brain Abnormalities eNews Park Forest New research published online at the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports that babies exposed in the womb to a commonly used insecticide have brain abnormalities after birth. The insecticide, chlorpyrifos (used in agriculture, ... and more »

Friend or Foe: Your guide to what's bugging you - Vancouver Sun (blog)

Friend or Foe: Your guide to what's bugging you Vancouver Sun (blog) People can buy a package of 3000 ladybugs and put them in their garden where the bugs will eat aphids -- it's a popular alternative to spraying pesticides and more environmental friendly... DANIEL STORY-BUSINESS/CITYSIDE... Bill Keay Photo/Vancouver ... and more »