With summer just around the corner, many Oklahoma homeowners are likely seeing an uptick in the number of ants traveling around their kitchen counters. As the weather continues to warm those few ants can easily turn into hundreds if left unchecked. As the ants keep coming, some will begin scouring the internet for information on how to get rid of ants.
Essential oils have taken on many new uses in recent years for a wide variety of problems, including pest control. The effects of certain spices and plants on many insects have been well documented for a long time. However, many are wondering how a concentrated essential oil would fare against these pesky invaders.
Essential Oils for Ant Control
In the world of essential oils, it seems not all scents are created equal for pest control purposes. For most individuals, the utilization of certain scents has provided excellent results but results are not typically backed by studies. The most effective essential oils for ants are:
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Clove Essential Oil
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Lemon Essential Oil
- Orange Essential Oil
To use essential oils for ants, homeowners are encouraged to choose one of these scents and add a few drops to a cotton ball. Once the cotton ball has enough saturation, the oil can be rubbed onto baseboards and window frames. It is believed that the essential oils remove the chemical trails used by the ants and disrupt their senses.
Some essential oils contain toxic compounds to ants and other insects, but for the most part, you shouldn’t expect this to remove an existing colony. To remove the colony entirely, the queen must be killed to end reproduction. Essential oils simply cannot assist in this endeavor.
Why Choose Arrow Exterminators?
Although utilizing essential oils for ant control may make your home smell good, it’s unlikely that you will see the results you hoped for. The only true method of removing an ant population from your home is with guaranteed pest solutions that eradicate the whole colony. If you are experiencing ants in your kitchen or home, don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-390-8626 for the relief you need!