Ants can be a nuisance when they invade homes and yards in search of food. Getting rid of them usually requires using commercial insecticides containing harsh chemicals. However Simple Green provides a safer and effective homemade ant killer alternative.
What is Simple Green?
Simple Green is a plant-based, biodegradable household cleaner made from naturally occurring ingredients like lemon extract, sodium citrate, and ethanolamine It cleans grease, oil, dirt, and grime without using toxic chemicals
Simple Green is non-toxic when used as directed and safe for people, pets, and the environment. It does not contain bleach, ammonia, phosphates, formaldehyde, or parabens. The gentle, pH-balanced formula makes it versatile for cleaning many household surfaces.
Does Simple Green Kill Ants?
Yes, Simple Green is highly effective at killing ants! When sprayed directly on ants, the solution can penetrate their waxy exoskeletons and cause dehydration. This quickly kills ants on contact.
Simple Green also eliminates the invisible scent trails ants use to navigate back to food sources and their nest. Ants will avoid walking over Simple Green residue. With their chemical trails disrupted, ants become disoriented and fail to return.
How to Use Simple Green as an Ant Killer
Follow these steps to use Simple Green to control ants in your home:
-
Mix equal parts Simple Green and water in a spray bottle. Shake well to combine.
-
Spray ants directly to kill them on contact. Aim for entry points like windowsills and baseboards.
-
Spray along ant trails and anywhere you see ants gathering. This disrupts their pheromone trails.
-
Spray around trash cans, pipes, pet food bowls, and other places ants might look for food to keep them away.
-
After spraying, let the Simple Green solution sit for 10-15 minutes before wiping up. This allows time to penetrate ant exoskeletons.
-
Reapply daily until ant trails are gone. Maintenance spraying weekly helps deter ants long-term.
Tips for Using Simple Green as an Ant Killer
-
Focus on spraying entry points first to block ants at the source before they get inside.
-
Spray around the exterior perimeter of your home, patios, and garden beds to keep ants away.
-
If you see ants trailing along baseboards, cracks, and corners inside your home, spray something on them.
-
Spray kitchen and bathroom cabinets, appliances, sinks, and trash cans to discourage ants.
-
Increase Simple Green concentration to 2 parts cleaner for heavy ant infestations.
-
Test on an inconspicuous area first to check for discoloration or damage.
-
Keep Simple Green out of the reach of children and pets when spraying.
Benefits of Using Simple Green for Ants
Using Simple Green as a homemade ant killer has many advantages:
-
Safe for pets and children: Simple Green won’t hurt kids, pets, or wildlife. This makes it ideal for homes with kids and animals.
-
No Harmful Residues: Simple Green begins breaking down after drying so it does not leave behind toxic chemical residues.
-
Multiple Household Uses: One bottle of Simple Green can tackle ants plus many other cleaning tasks like floors, countertops, windows, and more.
-
Kills Ants Effectively: Simple Green quickly kills ants through contact and by removing pheromone trails ants need to navigate.
-
Lasting Residual Effects: Ants avoid dried Simple Green residue allowing it to keep repelling ants for up to two weeks after application.
-
Budget-Friendly: At just a few dollars per bottle, Simple Green provides an affordable alternative to commercial ant sprays and baits.
-
Easy to Find: Simple Green is widely available at supermarkets, hardware stores, online retailers, and more making it easy to purchase.
Alternative Uses for Simple Green
Aside from killing ants, Simple Green can be used to clean many areas of your home:
-
Floors – Mix with water in a mop bucket to clean wood, tile, laminate, and other floor types.
-
Walls and baseboards – Removes grime and disinfects.
-
Windows and mirrors – Mix with water and use as a streak-free glass cleaner.
-
Appliances – Cleans and degreases ovens, microwaves, and stainless steel.
-
Bathroom surfaces – Sanitizes and cuts through soap scum on tubs, showers, sinks.
-
Outdoor areas – Patio furniture, grills, shutters, driveways.
Simple Green is an effective and versatile cleaner making it a staple for every home. Keeping a supply on hand lets you tackle ants while also cleaning the rest of your house.
Simple Green offers a safe, natural way to kill ants and stop them coming back. Its non-toxic formula won’t harm kids or pets, yet effectively terminates ants through contact and trail disruption. Mix up this budget-friendly solution to conquer ant infestations without exposing your family to harsh chemicals.
