Ants can be a pesky problem, invading homes and yards in search of food. Getting rid of them usually requires commercial insecticides that contain harsh chemicals. However, Simple Green provides a safer and effective homemade ant killer alternative.
What is Simple Green?
Simple Green is a plant-based, biodegradable household cleaner made from naturally occurring ingredients like lemon extract, sodium citrate, and ethanolamine. It cleans grease, oil, dirt, and grime without using toxic chemicals
Simple Green is non-toxic when used as directed and safe for people, pets, and the environment. It does not contain bleach, ammonia, phosphates, formaldehyde, or parabens The gentle, pH-balanced formula makes it versatile for cleaning many household surfaces
Does Simple Green Kill Ants?
Yes, Simple Green is highly effective at killing ants! When sprayed directly on ants, the solution can penetrate their waxy exoskeletons and cause dehydration. This quickly kills ants on contact.
Simple Green also eliminates the invisible scent trails ants use to navigate back to food sources and their nest. Ants will avoid walking over Simple Green residue. With their chemical trails disrupted, ants become disoriented and fail to return.
How to Use Simple Green as an Ant Killer
Follow these steps to use Simple Green to control ants in your home:
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Mix equal parts Simple Green and water in a spray bottle. Shake well to combine.
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Spray ants directly to kill them on contact. Aim for entry points like windowsills and baseboards.
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Spray along ant trails and anywhere you see ants gathering. This disrupts their pheromone trails.
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Spray around pet food bowls, trash cans, pipes, and other potential food sources to repel ants.
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After spraying, let the Simple Green solution sit for 10-15 minutes before wiping up. This allows time to penetrate ant exoskeletons.
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Reapply daily until ant trails are gone. Maintenance spraying weekly helps deter ants long-term.
Tips for Using Simple Green as an Ant Killer
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Focus on spraying entry points first to block ants at the source before they get inside.
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Spray around the exterior perimeter of your home, patios, and garden beds to keep ants away.
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If ants are nesting indoors, spray along baseboards, cracks, and corners where you see ants trailing.
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Spray kitchen and bathroom cabinets, appliances, sinks, and trash cans to discourage ants.
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Increase Simple Green concentration to 2 parts cleaner for heavy ant infestations.
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Test on an inconspicuous area first to check for discoloration or damage.
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Keep Simple Green out of the reach of children and pets when spraying.
Benefits of Using Simple Green for Ants
Using Simple Green as a homemade ant killer has many advantages:
Non-Toxic and Pet-Safe
Simple Green will not harm children, pets or wildlife. This makes it ideal for homes with kids and animals.
No Harmful Residues
Simple Green begins breaking down after drying so it does not leave behind toxic chemical residues.
Multiple Household Uses
One bottle of Simple Green can tackle ants plus many other cleaning tasks like floors, countertops, windows, and more.
Kills Ants Effectively
Simple Green quickly kills ants through contact and by removing pheromone trails ants need to navigate.
Lasting Residual Effects
Ants avoid dried Simple Green residue allowing it to keep repelling ants for up to two weeks after application.
Budget-Friendly
At just a few dollars per bottle, Simple Green provides an affordable alternative to commercial ant sprays and baits.
Easy to Find
Simple Green is widely available at supermarkets, hardware stores, online retailers, and more making it easy to purchase.
Alternative Uses for Simple Green
Aside from killing ants, Simple Green can be used to clean many areas of your home:
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Floors – Mix with water in a mop bucket to clean wood, tile, laminate, and other floor types.
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Walls and baseboards – Removes grime and disinfects.
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Windows and mirrors – Mix with water and use as a streak-free glass cleaner.
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Appliances – Cleans and degreases ovens, microwaves, and stainless steel.
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Bathroom surfaces – Sanitizes and cuts through soap scum on tubs, showers, sinks.
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Outdoor areas – Patio furniture, grills, shutters, driveways.
Simple Green is an effective and versatile cleaner making it a staple for every home. Keeping a supply on hand lets you tackle ants while also cleaning the rest of your house.
Simple Green offers a safe, natural way to kill ants and stop them coming back. Its non-toxic formula won’t harm kids or pets, yet effectively terminates ants through contact and trail disruption. Mix up this budget-friendly solution to conquer ant infestations without exposing your family to harsh chemicals.
Can Soap and Water Safely ELIMINATE Ants in the Grass
FAQ
Can Simple Green kill bugs?
What kills ants the quickest?
Will straight vinegar kill ants?
How do you get ants out of a lemon?
Squeeze the juice of the lemon into a spray bottle and add an equal amount of water. Spray the mixture at entry points and around areas where ants have been spotted. Remove the lemon peel and place rinds near entry points and other ant-heavy areas. The peel contains d-limonene, which kills ants on contact.
How do you get rid of ants at home?
Make a solution of 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) borax, 8 tsp sugar, and 1 cup warm water. Stir until the sugar and borax are dissolved. Saturate cotton balls and place them around your home in areas where you commonly see ants. After use, wash containers thoroughly. It’s imperative to keep borax away from pets and children as it may be harmful. 2.
Can you use lemon juice to repel ants?
Lemon juice is another ant-fighting ingredient that you can use to create a spray; simply combine 1 part lemon juice and 3 parts water. “This homemade repellent can also be used as an all-purpose spray around your home,” Luca says. Mix together your 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water in a spray bottle.
Can you use vinegar to get rid of ants?
Some common household products may help you get rid of ants, such as white vinegar, Borax, essential oils, and coffee grounds. That said, certain items may not be safe to use around pets or children. This video file cannot be played. (Error Code: 102630)
How do you get rid of ants on glass?
3. Mix glass cleaner and dish soap — Combine glass cleaning spray with dish soap in a clean spray bottle. Spray directly onto surfaces or areas where the ants congregate before wiping down to just leave a light residue. Typically, ants leave a scented pheromone trail behind when they walk, which then leads other ants to follow.
Do citrus peels kill ants?
Why this works: Most citrus peels contain a toxic acidic oil called D-limonene that kills ants. By placing these peels where your ant infestation is, you will be masking their trail and scent of the food source they were attracted to and prevent them from coming back.