Worked for Me Safe Ant Kill (Homemade Ant Killer)

"Each time I went into the kitchen, I saw ants all over the counter. I'd spray bleach cleaner on them, wipe them up and next time I'd go in the kitchen, they'd be back! I didn't want to use anything toxic with kids and pets around, so I scoured the web and combined 3 different ideas. Cheap and effective!"
 
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Ready In:
10mins
Ingredients:
3
Serves:
1
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ingredients

  • 2 ounces ammonia, approx. (Windex, Glass Plus, etc.)
  • 2 teaspoons quick-cooking oats (I've also heard you can use Grits)
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
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directions

  • My last ant invasion was going on for several days when I'd finally had it!
  • My ant problem was on the kitchen counter, so I pulled all the appliances off and sprayed the entire area with Glass Plus, to kill whatever ants were there presently and also to be sure (once again!) that there was nothing there to attract them, like crumbs, spills, etc.
  • I then sprinkled about 2 tsp of quick cooking oats into a small mound on the back corner of the counter, where it meets the stove. This seemed to be where they were coming in: the back wall behind where the counter meets the stove. (Apparently they take the oats back to the nest, the ants feast on them and then die because they can't eat foods that expand.). Place your oats or grits as close as possible to where you think they're coming in from. You don't want to attract them so they'll stay around! You want them to grab some food and take it back to the nest immediately.
  • Then, I took a bottle of cinnamon (the dollar store kind -- not an expensive brand) and sprinkled it all across the back of the counter (stopped at the oatmeal) and then sprinkled it down into the crack between the counter and stove. Apparently, ants don't like cinnamon and they won't cross a line of cinnamon. I have no idea why they won't, but I made sure to sprinkle an unbroken line (until I got to the oatmeal).
  • After doing all of the above, place your appliances back where they were (check for any ants on said appliances first). My counter is small, so the appliances cover the cinnamon line and the kitchen smells nice!
  • Right after I completed the above process, there were a couple hangers on, but I shot them with Glass Plus and wiped them up. I'm assuming they were already "over the line" somewhere I didn't see them or they rode over on my appliances.
  • It's now been well over 24 hours and I haven't seen one ant on the counter or on the side of the stove. I'm leaving all as is for a few days and then I'll clean up the cinnamon and oats.
  • Hope this works for you!

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Reviews

  1. I was having an ant invasion inside my house, I have tried many natural homemade ant killer but they are not effective. Then I have tried a toxic ant killer and my dog almost get poisoned with that toxic ant killer, so not using anymore!! Then I was looking for safe ant killer that are safe around kids and pets. Then I found some ant killer at http://petsafeantkiller.org which are safe around kids and pets and also very effective....after using those I have seen so much reduction of ants inside my house. And after 2 week they are completely gone. The site has very good information about the pet safe ant killer, it may help you.
     
  2. Thought it sounded silly but tried it & it worked like a charm! Thank you Karen !!!!!!!
     
  3. Hi, This works great but my cats like oatmeal and the Cinnamon stained my counter so I use a jar lid and put Yellow cornmeal in it. The Ants love it so I did not need to block them.I did have to touch a few ants and drop them in it to lead the rest in.Now all I do is put out the corn meal in the spring and keep it there.I have no ants now. Thanks for posting.
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<p>I live in Pa (outside of Philadelphia) and cooking, baking, cross-stitching and reading are my hobbies. <br /> <br />I collect cookbooks and cookie stamps/cutters and have a pretty big collection of both. I am also a fan of all things Amish, so I have quite a collection of things picked up in Reading, Lancaster and surrounding areas here in Pennsylvania. <br /> <br />I have 4 kids, who are the loves of my life and cooking for them and my husband keeps me on my toes! ;) <br /> <br />We bought an ice cream parlor in March 04 and it's been quite an experience! <br /> <br />Note: I love getting feedback on my recipes; all I ask is that you actually *make* them before reviewing them. <br /> <br />Also, if you make changes or substitutions, I'd love to see your suggestions and/or comments, but I'd appreciate no rating at all if it's not made as posted. Too many recipe reviews state margarine subbed for butter (if I list butter, it's REAL butter), different spices, low-fat ingredients, whole wheat flour instead of white, etc. The recipes will not work/taste as intended, so it's really not fair to rate them as such. <br /> <br />I'd also really appreciate it if you refrain from rating a recipe if you overcook or overbake it or it you don't refrigerate or store as listed. <br /> <br />I, of course, will adhere to the above when rating recipes, too! <br /> <br />Thanks and have a great day! <br /> <br />My Rating System: <br /> <br />***** A delicious recipe that was thoroughly enjoyed. It has excellent, detailed directions and is perfect as is. If a dish is especially easy, and I'm on the fence, I will give it 5* for ease even if it's very good instead of great. Something I will definitely make again. <br /> <br />**** Excellent recipe but confusing directions that I will make again in my own less confusing way OR Very good recipe that I'll probably make again if I find the time! <br /> <br />*** Good/OK recipe but probably not something I would make again OR Very Good recipe that doesn't have clear, detailed directions. <br /> <br />** Recipe was edible but not really enjoyed and will not be made again. Work involved not a good trade-off for the end result. <br /> <br />* Not edible and probably an error in the recipe. I feel that I pick recipes with ingredients our family likes, so in my opinion, there's an error somewhere. If there's a chance I made the error, I won't rate the recipe. ;) <br /> <br /><img src=http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/lauralie41/swapbanner.jpg border=0 alt=Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket /> <br /> <br /><a href=http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd235/MidwestMaven/?action=view&amp;current=cookieswapparticip.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd235/MidwestMaven/cookieswapparticip.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /></a> <br /> <br /><img src=http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/honey-pot-print-c10069558.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /> <br /> <br /><a href=http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd235/MidwestMaven/?action=view&amp;current=09holidayparticipationbanner.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd235/MidwestMaven/09holidayparticipationbanner.jpg border=0 alt=Photobucket /></a></p>
 
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