It can be quite surprising to find ants crawling on your indoor carpets. You might wonder why they are entering your home and how to get rid of them. In this article, we will delve into the reasons ants are attracted to carpets and share several easy and effective techniques to eliminate them.
There could be a few reasons why ants find their way to your carpet, but the most typical cause is the presence of food particles or spilled drinks. These tiny bits can get trapped within the carpet fibers, luring ants and potentially leading to an infestation.
Here are 8 simple yet effective methods to get rid of ants from your carpet.
1. Spray Boiling Water
Dousing the infested area with boiling water is a fast and eco-friendly method to remove ants. The hot water kills the ants upon contact and helps erase their scent trails, discouraging other ants from coming to your carpet.
Be careful when using this method, as the hot water could also harm your carpet if not applied cautiously. For example, your carpet will be shrink if it is made of wool.
2. Vacuuming
Employing a strong vacuum cleaner is an efficient way to extract ants and their food sources from your carpet. Be sure to vacuum the entire space thoroughly, with particular attention to the edges and corners where ants might be hiding.
After vacuuming, promptly empty the vacuum cleaner’s contents into a sealed plastic bag and dispose of it outside to stop the ants from re-entering your home.
3. Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an organic, harmless powder derived from the fossilized remains of diatoms, a kind of algae. When ants come into contact with DE, it causes damage to their exoskeleton, leading them to dehydrate and eventually die.
To use DE, just sprinkle it onto the affected parts of your carpet and let it sit for several days before vacuuming it up.
4. Use Ant Baits
Ant baits are also an effective way to control ant infestations. Ant baits are used to attract ants to eat and they contain a slow-acting poison mixed with an attractive food source.
After eating ant baits, ants will bring them back to their colony, where it’s shared with the other ants, eventually killing the entire colony.
Some common types of ant baits include bait stations, granules, and gel baits. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper placement and usage.
5. Use Ant Carpet Powders
Ant carpet powders are another option for controlling ants in your carpet. These powders usually contain a pesticide that kills ants on contact. To use an ant carpet powder, simply sprinkle it onto the infested area and leave it for the recommended period before vacuuming it up.
6. Don’t Eat Food and Drink Over Carpet
One of the simplest ways to prevent ants from infesting your carpet is to avoid eating and drinking over it. Food crumbs and drink spills are easy to overlook, but they provide a tempting food source for ants.
Instead, eat at a table or use a tray to minimize the risk of spills and crumbs ending up on your carpet.
7. Keep Your Carpets Clean
Regularly checking and cleaning your carpets can help you spot food crumbs and other debris that might attract ants. Vacuum your carpets frequently, and consider using a steam cleaner or professional cleaning service to deep clean your carpets periodically. This will not only help to deter ants but also keep your carpets looking and smelling fresh.
8. Call an Exterminator
If you’re still worried that ants may be present in other areas of your home, or if the infestation persists despite your best efforts, it might be time to call a professional exterminator. They can thoroughly inspect your home, identify the root cause of the infestation, and recommend a targeted treatment plan to eliminate the ants for good.
Final Thought
Getting rid of ants in your carpet involves a combination of effective cleaning methods and targeted treatments.
By understanding what attracts ants to your carpet and implementing preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of an infestation.
Regularly vacuuming and cleaning your carpets, avoiding eating and drinking over them, and using natural or chemical treatments when necessary can help you keep your home ant-free.
