Balconies, gardens, yards, and decks – all serve a purpose beyond the house’s architectural aesthetic.
In fact, for residents, the purpose lies with usability, and outdoor spaces can have tons depending on how the homeowners plan on using them.
Many people opt for decorating the outdoor space to create a relaxation corner.
Some people keep it strictly for occasions, and people with pets or kids enjoy most of their downtime playing outdoors.
However, apart from nosy neighbors invading your privacy, other creatures can disturb your outdoor plans – pests.
Pests like mosquitos, bees, termites, ants, etc. are a test of time, and before you know it, they have taken over your whole outdoor space, harming your plants and completely closing any and all chances for you to step outdoors.
While any pest infestation can happen, ants seem to be the most common ones to be found in such spaces.
Ant Nests in Balconies
A colony of ants or an “ant’s society” is when thousands of ants are together and led by a single queen ant.
However, upon creating what we call an infestation in our outdoor spaces like balconies, they might have a nest with all the worker ants carrying food to the nest.
In places like these, looking for the nest is not easy as you don’t have access to every crevice of your balcony.
Thus, you must deploy methods that reach the nest without looking for one.
Top 10 Ways to Get Rid of Ants from Your Balcony
So, to make things easier, we have compiled ten fool-proof DIY ways to get rid of ants from your balcony. All these methods include pantry staples that you would already have at home.
Hence, you can start with the one method you feel would work for your situation and take it away from there.
If it works, you will see results within a day. Otherwise, jump onto another one and see how things go.
So put on some gloves, and let’s get started!
Liquid Dish Soap + Rubbing Alcohol
Everybody has liquid dish soap in their homes and possibly even rubbing alcohol, given how handy it is for so much.
However, to make it a DIY remedy against ants, you must combine equal parts liquid dish soap and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle.
For instance, use 2 tablespoons of each and shake the spray bottle container until well combined. Next, spritz it all over your balcony, the edge, the railings, the windowpanes, etc.
Sugar & Borax Combo
A deadly combination for ant infestation – sugar and borax are great if you want to get to the root cause of those pesky little creatures, i.e., their nest.
The thing with borax and sugar is that while sugar lures the ants, the borax works like a choke hold for them, which, as intelligent as they might be, don’t realize until it’s too late.
This means that by the time ants realize the issue, the poison has already reached the nest because everyone brought it in, thinking it of food.
Undiluted Peppermint Oil
Believe it or not, some people have a hyper-dominant sense of smell. Although it may seem like a cool superpower at first, this can be quite a curse too.
That is because, unlike regular folks, these people can smell pests like ants, among other things. So for such people using undiluted peppermint oil works like a charm.
It helps make the space smell good while it works on ants because the strong scent becomes a communication barrier.
White Vinegar Solution
A white vinegar solution works great because it combines the trick of liquid dish soap and peppermint oil in one.
That is because vinegar has a strong scent that deters the ant’s communication while it also works to dry out the ants it has been sprayed on.
Using it is also easy, i.e., you can take equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it around your balcony’s crevices for it to work like magic.
Citrus Fruit Peels
Suppose you need a solution to get rid of ants on your balcony as well as ones finding their way inside your house that get cracking at citrus fruit peels.
You can use any citrus fruit for its peels, from oranges to limes, lemons, etc. Anything zesty would work. Next, peel the fruit and dry out the peels in the sun or a dehydrator.
Now place 2-3 pieces at every corner where you think ants might find a way inside. It will surely keep the ants at bay.
Chalk Borders
Almost a child’s play solution at this point because of how easy it is.
Chalk works the same way many other ingredients on this list work: chalk becomes a barrier between the ant pheromones they release to communicate with each other.
However, unlike other ingredients, chalk is easily identifiable to ants, and they dare not come near it, so if you dust powdered chalk or even draw a line with chalk on an entrance and won’t come close.
Cayenne Pepper
All those spice lovers who use cayenne pepper to keep unwanted guests from inviting themselves over for dinner – you can use cayenne pepper to kick out the ants too.
Just spread the cayenne pepper powder along the edge of your balcony, where you can see that it is a regular route for ants.
Next thing you know, ants would probably be running off to find water before dehydrating themselves because of the spices they just interacted with.
Cinnamon
Another spice cabinet staple – cinnamon, is almost like an enemy to ants. They hate the smell of cinnamon.
Also, the reason why cinnamon, with its strong smell, takes over your entire spice cabinet and, in turn, keeps ants at bay from entering that space.
Hence, you can use a handful of cinnamon powder or pack 2-3 sticks of cinnamon in a cloth pouch and place it where you don’t want ants to come, and surely that will be the case.
Garlic
The handy dandy garlic that can even send certain humans off and away is the perfect solution to deterring ants. In fact, garlic is so good with its odor that no bugs dare step near it.
So if you ever find yourself done with the annoying little insects sharing your space with you, place freshly ground garlic or whole cloves at entry points to your balcony and home.
You notice an instant difference: no insects like ants or bugs would come by.
Salt
Salt is the simplest and arguably the best solution for any infestation.
Salt extracts all the moisture from bugs like ants and, in turn, leaves you dry rubble you can sweep off from the ground and throw away in the trash.
It is the most humane way of getting rid of bugs and ants that get into balcony corners. Just sprinkle salt around the area and let it do its magic to ensure a great solution against ants.
Go For Professional Help
Although we shared our favorite top ten DIY methods to get rid of ants from balconies in hopes that at least one of them would work, if none of those methods seems to be working or you are short on time, it is always a good idea to opt for professional help.
Commercial solutions are swift at getting rid of pest infestations, and now you can even find many environmentally friendly products. So, if the clocks are ticking, let’s get cracking with the following:
Ant Killer Poison (Powder, Gel, etc.)
You can find different types of ant killer poisons at the supermarket. Choose the ones you feel would work best for your situation.
For instance, the powder is not a good choice if it is a balcony as it will blow away with the wind. Also, not a good choice if you have kids or pets, etc.
Hence, you can choose those injection gels instead and place a small amount at every nook and cranny. Rest assured your ant problem will be dealt with.
Professional Pest Elimination Methods (Extermination, Fumigation, etc.)
It is the best solution for squeamish people who can’t deal with DIY methods where they have to interact with the pests in person.
It is also your best option if things are getting out of hand, and you don’t have much time to wait for an organic DIY method to kick in.
Hence, go for a consultation and examination by a professional exterminator.
They usually do it free of charge and would let you know how long it will take, how it should work, and the cost.
Natural Solutions for Getting Rid of Ants
We often find ants on our balconies, which can be a nuisance. There are various natural solutions that can help you get rid of ants without causing any harm.
In this section, we will discuss some of the effective methods that you can use to tackle this problem.
White vinegar is an excellent option for dealing with ants, as it confuses their tracking abilities.
Mix three parts of white vinegar with one part of water, and spray it around your balcony and doorways.
This solution will not only repel the ants but also eliminate their scent trails, thus preventing them from returning.
Using spices and scents that ants detest is another efficient method. Pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper are some ingredients that can be spread around your balcony to discourage ants from entering.
Similarly, essential oils, such as orange, cinnamon, and peppermint oils, can be used as a natural repellent.
To use them, dilute a few drops of the chosen oil with water and spray the mixture around the affected areas.
Citrus peels, such as those from oranges and lemons, can be strategically placed around your balcony to deter ants.
The citrus peel contains compounds that are toxic to the fungi that ants love to feed on, making the area unattractive for them.
Alternatively, boiling water with slices of citrus fruits and spraying the cooled solution onto the ants’ trails can provide effective results.
Aromatic herbs, like mint, thyme, and peppermint, can also help keep ants at bay.
Planting these herbs on your balcony not only adds a pleasant aroma but also discourages ants from crossing the aromatic barrier they create.
Additionally, scattering coffee grounds or baking soda around your space can act as a natural insecticide, killing any ants that come into contact with them.
Finally, it is essential to keep your balcony clean and sealed, as ants are attracted to nectar and other food particles.
Regularly sweeping your balcony, wiping surfaces with non-toxic solutions, and sealing any cracks or crevices where ants could enter will help prevent ant infestations.
By using these natural solutions, we can easily and effectively manage ants on our balconies without resorting to toxic chemicals, keeping our surroundings safe and healthy.
Using Ant Baits and Traps
When dealing with ants on your balcony, using ant baits and traps can be an effective strategy. By placing these devices around the balcony, you can target the ants without having to rely on harmful chemical sprays.
One of the most popular ant baits is the borax bait. This bait consists of borax mixed with sugar, which attracts the ants to it.
When they consume the mixture, the borax will gradually kill them. You can also dissolve this mixture in water and place it near entry points or along walls where you’ve noticed ant activity.
Another option for ant control is ant sprays. However, we recommend using these sparingly, as they can also harm beneficial insects and compromise the air quality on your balcony.
Instead, focus on targeting specific entry points where ants are entering your space.
To disrupt the ants’ pheromone trails, which they use for navigation and communication, you can use vinegar and water solution.
Simply mix equal parts of the two liquids and wipe down areas where you’ve seen ants traveling. This will help to erase their scent trails and make it more difficult for additional ants to find their way to your balcony.
In addition to baits and traps, you can also take steps to prevent ants from accessing your balcony in the first place.
Inspect the walls and other entry points for any gaps or cracks, and seal them with caulk or another appropriate material. This will help to keep ants and other unwelcome pests from finding their way onto your balcony.
Finally, be diligent about keeping your balcony clean and free of food debris that may attract ants. By eliminating available food sources, you’ll make your space less appealing to these persistent pests.
In Conclusion,
Ants can be a menacing pest if found multiplying in your household and take it upon themselves to eat up anything and everything.
Contrary to popular belief, ants also carry toxins and germs on their bodies that are harmful to human exposure.
Moreover, some people may even develop allergies that can swiftly escalate a situation.
Hence, for such reasons and more, it is crucial to treat ant infestations the first thing you spot.
We hope that the shared DIY methods help you get rid of ants on your balcony.
However, we highly recommend that if you are on a time crunch and the infestation has spread beyond DIY control methods, it is always a good idea to consult a professional pest exterminator.
They know what they are dealing with ad can help suggest the best ways to get rid of ants from your balcony in no time. Cheers!
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