Ants crawling in the house are an unpleasant sight for any homeowner. Once ants invade, it gets difficult to prevent their entry and kill the existing ants because they invade in thousands and spread to different corners in the kitchen, bathroom and other areas of the home. All you need is an effective solution to deter ants and keep them at bay. Windex, which is popularly known as a glass cleaner, is also used to kill ants. Though Windex is not sold in the market as an insecticide, it is used as an insecticide in homes. This blog takes you through different aspects of using Windex to kill ants.
Can Windex Be Used to Kill Ants?
Windex can definitely be used to kill ants, but it won't act as a permanent solution until the queen of the ant colony is killed. Windex can be used effectively as a DIY pesticide to kill ant swarms instantly because, upon spraying Windex, ants are unable to breathe fresh air through their spiracles. This is because Windex blocks their spiracles. An important point to consider is that never squash an ant because it releases a chemical "pheromone", which attracts more ants to that area.
Is Windex the Complete Solution for Ants?
Windex is probably not the complete solution to kill ants. To destroy the ant colony, it's vital to kill the queen, else they can come back. As per the NC State Extension, you may need to add bait to an ant-eliminating solution to get rid of ants completely. If ants are still seen, it's advisable to contact a professional.
Is Windex Safe for Kids and Pets?
Though Windex is considered safe to use with kids and pets at home, it could be harmful when ingested, as it may cause gastrointestinal irritation. It is also harmful when you come into close contact with it. Hence, all the pet owners or those with kids at home should consider the safety tips.
Tips to Prevent the Entry of Ants
"Prevention is better than cure" is what we all should adhere to. Hence, following a few tips to prevent the entry of ants into your home can help you keep them away.
Seal Cracks and Crevices
Identify all the possible cracks and crevices in the home which can give easy access to ants and seal them with caulk.
Regular Cleaning
A very simple way to prevent their entry is regular cleaning of kitchen surfaces and floors, and removing all the food sources that can attract ants.
Remove Sources of Standing Water
Standing water makes the home more inviting to ants because they need water for their survival; hence, removing standing water from your home can keep ants away from your home.
Regular Trimming of Shrubs and Trees
Overgrown trees and shrubs provide access points to ants, so regular trimming can keep ants away from homes.
Proper Storage of Food
Storing food in an airtight container helps prevent ants from entering containers. It's one of the simplest solutions to avoid ants' infiltration into your home.
Alternate Ways to Control Ants or Prevent Their Invasion
Apart from Windex, there are other natural remedies to control the invasion of ants in homes. Here is the list:
Vinegar- Prepare a solution using equal parts of vinegar and water, pour it into a spraying bottle and spray around the areas where you suspect their entry. This solution works effectively due to its strong scent.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)- It's a non-toxic powdery substance used to kill ants. DE, when it comes in contact with ants, dehydrates them and causes death.
Boric Acid- Boric acid is mixed with sugar to act as bait, which disrupts the digestive system of ants when they ingest the mixture.
Boiling Water- Pouring boiling water on ants is an effective method for small ant hills where the queen hides beneath the hill. However, it may not work when too many ant hills exist.
Conclusion
Windex is an effective option to kill ants, but only if the queen of the ant colony is killed. Otherwise, there's a possibility that ants may come back. Also, consider the safety aspect of Windex because it may be harmful for kids and pets.
