Does vinegar kill ants? Pest control pros reveal relying on this pantry staple is a big mistake

Ants can be a great sign that your yard is healthy and thriving, but they can quickly become a nightmare once they enter your home.

If you like to avoid chemical pesticides or want a quick fix to prevent a full-blown ant invasion, you might look to vinegar to kill ants and stop the invaders at your door.

Vinegar is a superpower ingredient to keep in your home, able to kill mold and remove odors from all sorts of spaces and surfaces, all without harsh chemicals. But is vinegar really that effective in getting rid of ants in your home? Here, pest control experts explain why they wouldn't recommend it.

Does vinegar kill ants?

As effective as cleaning with vinegar can be, it is not a good solution when wanting to kill ants. At most, the pungent smell of white vinegar will deter them temporarily, our experts say. As a smell ants hate, vinegar disorient them and when sprayed on their trails, disrupts their pheromone scent.

Therefore, pest control pro Bryan Clayton, co-founder of Greenpal warns that relying on vinegar to kill ants is a common pest control mistake.

He explains, ‘Relying too heavily on natural deterrents is a common pitfall people often tumble into. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for using natural pest control methods whenever possible, however, pests are tough little critters. They're wired to survive, and while your homemade vinegar spray may deter them for a while, it's usually not enough to clear out an established infestation.’

What to use instead

To eliminate ants in your kitchen for good and get rid of ants on lawns, Gene Caballero, co-founder of Greenpal says, ‘It's important to identify the type of ants you're dealing with to determine the most effective control methods. For example, if you're dealing with fire ants, their nests can be large and aggressive, requiring specialized treatments.

‘Bait stations are an effective way to target ants at the source. Place ant bait stations near the ant nests or along their trails. The ants will be attracted to the bait and carry it back to the colony, which helps eliminate the entire nest. Choose ant baits specifically formulated for the type of ants you're dealing with.'

Gene continues, '‘Alternatively, consider commercial insecticidal treatments [such as Raid Ant & Roach Killer, from Walmart] to directly target ant nests. Look for insecticides labeled for ant control and follow the instructions carefully. Apply the insecticide around the nest or along the ant trails. Take care to protect beneficial insects and follow safety guidelines to minimize environmental impact.’

FAQs

What attracts ants?

One of the biggest draws for ants in your home is uncovered sweet or carbohydrate-rich food. Anything from pastry crumbs to slightly overripe fruit can look like a feast to them. Keep your home clean and your trash bins tidy and away from the exterior of your home to discourage ants from straying too close to your property.

What does baking soda do to ants?

Baking soda, like vinegar, is not an effective way to kill ants. Baking soda is only effective against these pests if they ingest it, which they are unlikely to do as it is not appealing to them.

If you are dead set on using baking soda to kill ants, you can try mixing it with powdered sugar to make it more appetizing, but there are more effective methods that will protect your home more quickly.

As with any pest, prevention is always better than a cure. To prevent ants, make homemade bug sprays using a one to one vinegar to water ratio to deter them, whilst also keeping your home clean, limiting potential food sources that might draw them in. Or, try getting rid of ants with a bar of soap.

It is also worth brushing up on the ways insects are entering your home so you can block up sneaky gaps and stop them in their tracks.

Keep in mind ants come inside homes looking for water and food, and to escape wet, hot or cold weather.