HOME MADE ANT HACK

Every spring we have an explosion of ants around our home. If you are anything like me you might see them around and think nothing of it. My husband who is a contractor and also very observant has taught and shown me over the years how truly destuctive ants can be. Once while replacing a patio door we came to realize the entire frame work around the door was an ants nest and completely rotted. I had seen the odd ant around our deck but disregarded them. I mean we were outside, ants live outside! What I didn't realize was the damage they were creating. Last summer we found ants taking over the inside of our shed. So it goes without saying, be observant to insects in and around your house. They can be damaging to your home without realizing and cost hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of damage. 

We have tried all sorts of expensive sprays, oils, drops and sticky pads. What I have found to work the best over the years is a home made solution. It is very simple and cheap to make, can go a long way and is very effective. 

1/2 Cup White Sugar

1 1/2 tlbs Borax (found in the laundry isle)

1 1/2 Cups Hot water

Cotton Balls - this amount will soak approximatley 2 cups of cotton balls.

Mix the solution together until everything is dissolved. Then drop the cotton balls in to soak. Place the cotton balls around your home, in your garage and sheds and watch the ants go crazy.  I suggest placing the cotton balls on a piece of parchment paper if in the house to make clean up easier. The sugar attracts the ants and they take the solution back to the nest. Within 24-48 hours you will have great results. When the cotton balls dry out after a couple days you can wet them and place them out again for a couple days or discard.  Repeate this as needed throught the year espcially in the spring. Becarful of placement if you have animals and children around as Borax can be a poisonous chemical if ingested.