How To Get Rid of Ants

Summary: Before you plunge your house or belongings into pesticide oblivion, it's important to know that many ant issues can be resolved without a drop of insecticide spilled. Often, knowing the habits of ants will tell you exactly how to get rid of ants.

A reader asks: I need help! I have been getting bitten everyday by ants that have invaded my car. What is an easy, quick, and odorless way to get rid of both the black and red ants?

Dear Reader: You have to identify ants to effectively control them. Different ants are attracted to different types of ant baits. If you don't want to do that I would suggest purchasing several different types of ant baits that come in little "cup" containers. Some will say they are for sweet or sugar seeking ants and others will say they are for protein or grease seeking ants. You can purchase them at most hardware or grocery stores. Place the bait cups in the

areas of your car where you are seeing the ants. Then, watch to see which baits the ants are attracted to.

Now, you need to determine where the ants are coming from. Are you parking your car directly over an ant nest? Are you transporting something that is attracting the ants like boxes of fruit or other types of food? Or, perhaps you put something in your car that had ants living in it.

Ants often require a water source, so I would think your ant infestation is being caused by something you are doing to attract them, rather than thinking that the ants have created a permanent nesting area inside your car.

Do some sleuthing and let me know if I can offer any more suggestions?