Dealing with ants in the walls of your home can be both frustrating and challenging. These tiny invaders often enter through small cracks and crevices, seeking food, water, and shelter. If left unaddressed, an ant infestation can grow rapidly, causing damage and creating unsanitary conditions. This guide will provide you with practical steps to effectively eliminate ants from your walls using safe and proven methods. By understanding their behavior and knowing the right tools and techniques, you can rid your home of these unwelcome guests and prevent them from returning.
The Problem of Ants Infesting Walls
Ant infestations in walls present unique challenges due to the difficulty of accessing these areas. Unlike ants that wander on visible surfaces, those that take up residence within walls can be more elusive. They often build nests inside wall cavities, exploiting the hidden spaces and using electrical conduits or plumbing lines as highways to travel through your home. This can lead to structural damage over time, as some species, like carpenter ants, excavate wood to expand their nests.
Additionally, their presence can contribute to unsanitary conditions, potentially spreading bacteria as they search for food.
Identifying the Ant Species
Before attempting to eliminate ants from your walls, it’s essential to identify the specific species you’re dealing with, as different ants may require different treatment approaches. Common ant species found in homes include carpenter ants, odorous house ants, and pharaoh ants, each with distinct characteristics and behaviors. Carpenter ants are larger and black, often seen around wood and capable of causing structural damage.
Odorous house ants are smaller, brown or black, and emit a distinctive smell when crushed, typically scavenging for sugary foods. Pharaoh ants are tiny, yellow or light brown, and are known for forming extensive colonies in hidden areas.
10 Methods How to Kill Ants in the Walls
1. Locate the Source of the Infestation
Before attempting to kill ants in the walls, it’s essential to locate the source of the infestation. Ants often enter walls through tiny cracks and crevices, seeking food and shelter. Carefully inspect the areas where you see ant activity, particularly near windows, door frames, and electrical outlets. The trail of ants usually leads to a small entry point in the walls or baseboards. Once you’ve identified their access point, you can begin treatment more effectively.
By targeting the nest itself, rather than only the visible ants, you’ll address the root of the issue and prevent further infestations. This step is crucial because killing only the ants that you can see won’t eliminate the colony hidden within the walls.
2. Use Ant Bait Stations
Ant bait stations are one of the most effective methods for eliminating ants in walls because they target the entire colony, including the queen. The bait is designed to be taken back to the nest by worker ants, where it is shared with other ants, eventually wiping out the colony. Choose a bait that is formulated specifically for the type of ants you’re dealing with, as different species are attracted to different types of food. Place the bait stations near entry points where ants are entering your walls, such as cracks, baseboards, or near windows.
3. Apply Insecticidal Dust
Insecticidal dust is another highly effective method for killing ants inside walls, as it penetrates hard-to-reach areas that sprays and traps may not. This powder is applied directly into wall voids, cracks, or crevices where ants are suspected of nesting. When the ants come into contact with the dust, it sticks to their bodies and is eventually ingested when they groom themselves. This method not only kills the ants on contact but also spreads throughout the colony as ants track the dust back to the nest.
Boric acid is a commonly used insecticidal dust that is highly toxic to ants but relatively safe for humans and pets when used correctly.
4. Seal Entry Points
To effectively kill ants in your walls and prevent future infestations, sealing their entry points is critical. Ants often enter homes through small gaps, cracks, and holes in walls, baseboards, and around windows. After locating the areas where ants are getting in, use caulk or sealant to block these entrances. Be thorough in your inspection, as ants can find their way through even the tiniest gaps. It’s important to address all potential entry points, including around plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, and exterior walls.
This not only helps in eliminating current ant problems but also deters other ants from finding their way into your walls again.
5. Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural, non-toxic substance that is highly effective in killing ants. It works by absorbing the oils from the ants’ exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die. To use DE effectively, sprinkle it into the cracks and crevices where you suspect ants are entering your walls. You can also apply it along baseboards and windowsills where you see ant activity. Although diatomaceous earth is safe for humans and pets, it is best to wear a mask when applying it to avoid inhaling the fine powder.
Over time, as the ants come into contact with the DE, the infestation will decrease as the ants die off.
6. Use Ant-Killing Foam Spray
Foam insecticides can be particularly useful for killing ants inside walls because they expand to fill voids, allowing the product to reach hidden areas where ants may be nesting. Foam sprays are easy to apply in cracks, crevices, and holes in the walls, and the foam stays in place, ensuring prolonged contact with the ants. These sprays are effective at both killing the ants on contact and creating a residual barrier that prevents new ants from entering the area. Look for products specifically designed for indoor use to ensure safety for humans and pets.
Foam sprays are an ideal solution for targeting hard-to-reach places that other methods, like bait traps or dust, may not effectively cover.
7. Install Perimeter Barriers
Setting up perimeter barriers around your home is a proactive measure to kill ants in walls and prevent future infestations. Many ant species, including carpenter ants, tend to nest in moist or decaying wood, which could be a problem if you have wooden structural components in your walls. By treating the exterior foundation of your home with liquid insecticides or granules, you can create a barrier that stops ants from entering in the first place. Products containing permethrin or bifenthrin are particularly effective at killing ants on contact and deterring them from crossing into your walls.
8. Utilize Essential Oils
Essential oils, particularly peppermint and tea tree oil, are natural ant repellents that can also help kill ants in walls. These oils work by disrupting the ants’ ability to communicate through scent trails, which are vital for their colony’s functioning. To use essential oils, mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and apply the solution around baseboards, entry points, and areas where ants are active. You can also place cotton balls soaked in essential oils near suspected ant entry points.
Although essential oils may not kill ants as quickly as insecticides, they serve as an effective repellent and disrupt ant colonies over time. The natural properties of these oils make them a great option for homes with pets or children, as they are non-toxic and eco-friendly.
9. Call a Professional Exterminator
If your efforts to kill ants in the walls aren’t successful, it may be time to call a professional exterminator. Large or stubborn ant colonies, particularly those nesting deep within your walls, can be difficult to eliminate with DIY methods. Professional exterminators have access to more potent insecticides and specialized equipment that can thoroughly treat your home, including inside the walls. They can also help identify the specific species of ant, which is important for choosing the most effective treatment.
Moreover, professionals can provide a more comprehensive solution by treating both the interior and exterior of your home, sealing entry points, and offering advice on long-term prevention strategies.
10. Prevent Future Infestations
After successfully killing ants in your walls, it’s crucial to prevent future infestations. Regularly clean your home, especially in areas where food particles might attract ants, such as kitchens and dining areas. Keep countertops, floors, and pantry shelves free of crumbs, and store food in sealed containers. Regularly check for moisture issues, as ants are often attracted to damp environments, particularly inside walls. Fix leaks or condensation problems to eliminate moisture sources.
Finally, regularly inspect your home’s exterior for cracks, crevices, and potential entry points that could allow ants to get inside again.
Conclusion
Dealing with ants in walls requires a strategic approach that combines multiple methods to ensure long-term success. From sealing entry points and applying natural remedies like diatomaceous earth and essential oils to utilizing more direct interventions such as ant-killing foam sprays and professional exterminator services, there is a wide array of solutions to address your specific ant problem. Thanks for reading, and we hope this has given you some inspiration on how to kill ants in the walls!