Most homeowners will probably experience an ant problem at some point, and it’s usually in the garage where they’re seen the most. That borrows the question – how do you get rid of ants in your garage?
You can get rid of ants in the garage in several ways. You may place toxic bait at strategic points within the garage, spray commercial pesticides, or use homemade solutions. You may also decide to go the natural way by using essential oils, lemon peels, peppermint, and other options that repel ants.
Today, we’ve so much lined up for you on how to get rid of ants in your garage. So, if you’re battling ants in your garage, this is the post for you. But before we dive into the core, let’s begin by looking at what attracts ants to your garage in the first place.
Why Are Ants in My Garage?
Ants are attracted to your garage for many reasons. They may be looking for food, water, or a place to build their nests. Sometimes, they may even invade your garage in search of warmth.
To begin with, not many areas around the home are as versatile as the garage. This precious space serves as a home workshop, a place to store the car away from the elements, and a favorite spot for all kinds of stuff we rarely use.
But that’s not all yet! A garage is the home’s favorite spot for all sorts of pests, including ants, and that makes us wonder what’s the special thing about it that makes it the choicest place for critters.
The answer is simple – the garage has everything that these pests need. Ranging from clutter to warmth to food and water, that versatile room you’ve for long used to store your paraphernalia has it all.
Ants like warmth, water, and food. So, if you’ve noticed these creatures swarming around your garage, it’s probably because they’ve found either or several of these attractants.
Bagged sugar and grocery in the garage can be an irresistible invitation for ants to your garage. The same goes for if you have a lot of clutter or pet food in the garage – it may be attracting ants.
5 Clever Ways To Get Rid of Ants in The Garage
We have several ways to get rid of those pesky ants in the garage. It all depends on what you’re comfortable with and what you have on hand. Here are some popular methods:
1. Using Toxic Bait
Toxic baits are an excellent way to get rid of ants in your garage as they allow you to kill the entire colony. But while this method is highly effective, it may not be the best option if you have pets or young children.
To use this method, purchase a toxicant from your local hardware store or online. Once you have the bait, mix it with some sugar or honey and place it at strategic points around your garage.
The ants will be attracted to the bait, consume it, and carry it back to their nests, where it will kill the entire colony.
2. Spraying Commercial Pesticides
If you don’t want to use toxic baits around your home, you may opt to spray commercial pesticides instead. Spraying pesticides is an effective way to kill ants, but be very careful as some of these products may be harmful to humans and pets.
Pesticides are readily available in most local hardware and online stores. And as usual, ensure that you read the product label carefully before use. That will allow you to understand the risks involved and how to use the pesticide safely.
3. Apply Diatomaceous Earth (Silicon Dioxide)
Although it isn’t a poison, diatomaceous earth is one of the ants’ fiercest enemies. This substance works by absorbing the oils and fats in the ant’s exoskeleton, causing the bug to dehydrate and die.
To use the product, sprinkle a generous amount around the perimeter of your garage and any points where you suspect ants may be entering. If you have any foodstuff in the garage, consider getting food-grade diatomaceous earth.
4. Using Homemade Solutions
Homemade solutions also do the trick when it’s time to bid goodbye to the ants in your garage if you don’t want to use any toxic substances. Some of the most popular homemade solutions include vinegar, boiling water, or essential oils.
White Vinegar
It’s one of the everyday household items, and you can use it to get rid of ants in your garage. Vinegar is acetic acid, which makes it an excellent solution to your garage ant problem.
Procedure:
- Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle
- Shake the mixture well
- Spray on the ants
Boiling Water
While insects can mutate to become resistant to pesticides, they can’t do the same with boiling water. So, if you’re looking for an effective and natural way to get rid of ants in your garage, boiling water may be the answer.
Procedure:
- Bring a pot of water to boil
- Carefully pour the water over the ants
- Repeat the process if necessary
Essential Oils
Cinnamon leaf essential oil contains compounds that can kill ants and other pests. When used in the right proportions, this oil can help with the ant problem in your garage, including the biting red ants.
Procedure:
- Soak cotton balls in undiluted cinnamon lead essential oil
- Place the cotton balls in favorite spots for ants in your garage
- Replace the cotton balls with newly soaked ones weekly.
5. Get a Professional Exterminator
All the provided ways are effective at killing ants. However, just in case you don’t want to go through all that hassle of doing the work yourself, you can always hire an exterminator.
An exterminator will have the right tools and products to quickly get rid of ants in your garage. They will also be able to give you tips on keeping ants away in the future.
What Naturally Repels Ants?
White vinegar, peppermint, salt, lemon peels, chalk, and cinnamon will naturally repel ants. Each of these options has at least a compound that most ants don’t like, which keeps ants at bay.
- White Vinegar: Besides killing, the acetic acid in vinegar solution acts as a natural ant repellent.
- Peppermint: The menthol in peppermint is an effective compound for keeping ants at bay.
- Salt: Salt also dehydrates ants, so they avoid it.
- Lemon Peels: The citrus scent is one of the things ants hate the most, so spreading lemon peels at the entry points is a surefire way to divert ants from getting into your garage.
- Chalk: Ants will avoid crossing any chalk lines you make at all costs. You can also opt to spread powdered chalk at their favorite access points.
- Cinnamon: The compounds in cinnamon irritate the ant’s senses.
Can Ants Ruin Your House Foundation?
Ants can ruin your house foundation by burrowing into the soil around the foundation and causing it to erode. If there is enough ant activity, they can eventually create a hole in the foundation that will allow water to seep in and cause damage.
While you may easily disdain them for their small size, ants can cause big problems. If you have an ant problem in your garage, take action to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Some ant species like the carpenter ants, for instance, are ruthless destroyers of wood and can cause significant damage to the foundation of your house. So, besides just causing the mere discomfort of having them around, ants can also ruin your house foundation.
And that’s not all. Some ant species, such as the pharaoh ants, are carriers of diseases, so always do all that’s within your power to eliminate them from your space.
Can Ants Damage Electrical Wiring?
Ants can chew through electrical wiring, which can cause a fire. So, always make it an ultimate priority to get rid of ants in your garage if you don’t want to risk an inferno.
Perhaps you didn’t know that ants can go to that extent. But trust me, nothing is safe from ants – not even your electrical wiring! These little pests will gnaw through the insulation around your electrical wires and cause a fire hazard.
As much as the electrical wire carries the current that powers your devices, that won’t prevent ants from attacking it. The moment one ant gets electrocuted, that won’t stop the others from continuing with the feast.
Actually, when an ant gets electrocuted, it releases pheromones to draw other ants to the site. That may cause other ants to get electrocuted, which may eventually cause electrical problems.
So, if you don’t want your house going up in flames, find ways to kick ants out of your home before it’s too late. You can use either of the provided methods or hire a professional to do the job on your behalf.
How To Protect Your Garage From Ants Infestation?
You can protect your garage from an ants infestation by removing the source of attraction for ants. As long as there isn’t anything in there to attract them, ants will stay away.
Here are some of the effective ways to avoid ants infestation;
1. Maintain The Garage Clean
The first step to protecting your garage from ants is to keep it clean. As said, clutter makes your space an irresistible attraction for ants and other pests. An untidy garage encourages ants to build nests and lay their eggs.
2. Keep The Foods Canned
Another way to keep ants at bay is by storing all the food in cans. Ants are attracted to sweets and sugary foods, so if you have any of these lying around in your garage, expect ants to show up sooner than later.
3. Use Deterrents
You can also utilize deterrents to keep ants away from your garage. Lemon peels, cinnamon, chalk, peppermint oil, and other repellents that we pointed out earlier in the article effectively avoid ants.
Final Verdict
Don’t let their small size make you underestimate their potential – ants can cause a lot of trouble when they get to your home. Ranging from contaminating your food to damaging your foundation and vandalizing your electrical wiring, ants can be a much bother.
Fortunately, getting rid of ants in the garage is not as complicated as you initially thought. With the right approach, you can get rid of them for good. But as usual, it’s always best to prevent an ants infestation than to deal with one.
So, take the necessary precautionary measures and protect your garage from these tiny pests.