Squishing The Ants In Your Home Is Actually A Big Mistake. Here's What To Do Instead

Ants are easily one of the most annoying insects out there, mainly because they never travel alone and can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Where there's one, there's probably a whole colony nearby just waiting for that ant to report back. That's because colonies send out scout ants to do exactly what their name suggests: scout for food. And as they travel, they leave behind a pheromone trail, kind of like a scented path. Should they luck out and find something valuable to their colony, the others can follow that trail, leading them straight to the goods.

So if you see one ant (or a few), there are probably more. And while your first instinct might be to squish it, that can actually make things worse. When an ant gets squished, it releases pheromones just like it does when it's searching for food, only this time, it acts as a warning signal. That smell can attract more ants, not just to investigate the danger, but also to remove the body. It's a common behavior in ant colonies, as it helps to keep their nests clean and prevent the spread of disease. So squishing one or two might feel like a victory, but it could just bring more crawling in behind their dead comrades and potentially lead to them staying longer if your home proves to be a good source for food or has certain plants that attract them.

If you happen to squish one of the ants that made its way into your home, your first line of defense is to wipe away the pheromone scent its body released on impact. Both soap and vinegar can do the trick. Either use soap and water to clean the area, or make a vinegar solution by mixing equal parts white vinegar and water. Vinegar not only removes the scent trail but also acts as a natural ant repellent. 

So, if you spot ants crawling around, it's better to skip the squish altogether. Instead, spray them with soapy water, which kills them, then wipe them away with a paper towel. That way, you're not only getting rid of the ants, but you're also preventing them from releasing more pheromones that could attract others. Now, because even one ant inside could mean more are nearby, it's a good idea to safeguard your home by spraying potential entry points with a natural repellant. Windows with weakened seals, doors with tiny gaps, and even small wall cracks are all easy access points for ants. Spray down (or wipe) these areas regularly using natural repellents to help keep ants out of your home. 

In addition to vinegar, common scents that naturally repel ants include citrus, peppermint, lavender, and lemongrass. You can mix citrus peels with water to make a spray, or add a few drops of peppermint or lavender oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Then, spritz the spots where the ants appear most often. This simple step can help keep them from coming back.