In the summer, a line of ants marching across a kitchen bench is a familiar sight for many homeowners. This is when many are tempted to try out home remedies or DIY hacks to control an ant infestation. Learn more about which ants bite and how to avoid common ant control mistakes.
If you’re one of them, keep in mind that the gap between internet myths and entomological truths is huge. Mismanaging an ant problem can sometimes lead to budding. This is when a single colony splits into several new ones, effectively multiplying your problem overnight.
Quick Links
The Use of Physical Barriers
One of the most persistent myths in Australian households is the efficacy of physical barriers like cinnamon, chalk lines, or coffee grounds. The theory suggests that these substances either dehydrate the ants or interfere with their sense of smell, acting as an invisible "no-entry" sign.
While it is true that ants may avoid a line of cinnamon for a few hours because of its fine texture or strong scent, it is purely a temporary detour. Ants are tactical foragers. They will simply find a gap in the barrier or create a new trail elsewhere.
The native and invasive species of Australia are particularly hardy. These household powders do nothing to address the heart of the issue: the queen and her nest.
Boiling Water Method
Similarly, the "boiling water" method is often touted as a quick and chemical-free way to destroy a nest in the garden. While dumping a kettle of boiling water down a hole certainly kills the ants it touches, it rarely reaches the deeper chambers where the queen resides.
Most ant galleries in Australian soil are designed to withstand heavy rain and fluctuations in temperature. By the time the water filters down through the complex tunnel systems, it has usually cooled significantly. You are left with a scalded patch of lawn and a very much alive, albeit slightly damp, colony that will likely relocate a few meters away within the week.
Use of Baits
The most effective "truth" in DIY pest control remains the use of baits. But even this is often misunderstood. Many Australians reach for a can of surface spray, thinking that seeing dead ants on contact means the mission is accomplished.
In reality, sprays are often counterproductive. They kill the worker ants. But they also act as an alarm bell for the rest of the colony. When a colony senses its foragers are being picked off by a localised poison, it can trigger a survival mechanism where the queen ramps up egg production or relocates the nest to a wall cavity where it is harder to reach.
Professional-grade baiting, which can be done successfully as a DIY project if you have the right materials, relies on the Trojan Horse principle. The most effective baits use slow-acting toxicants mixed with a sugary or protein-based attractant. The goal is to keep the ant alive long enough for it to carry the poison back to the nest and feed it to the queen and the larvae.
The "truth" here is patience: if you see ants swarming a bait station, you must resist the urge to spray them. Every ant you kill at the bait station is one less delivery driver carrying the solution to the source of the problem.
Professional Ant Pest Control Help
If you’ve tried all these DIY tips and want a truly long-term solution instead, get in touch with Safe Spray. We are a professional pest control team and use tried and tested ant management solutions for long-term results. Call 1300 562 053.
