Can you kill ants with cornstarch? Yes, but there are a few things to take note of.

Ants are among the most common insect pests seen around homes. These creatures are highly organized and move around in search of food sources.

Such food is transported back to their colony to both feeds on and store the excess. This activity looks harmless until you consider the problems posed by ant activity.

In their search for food, ants bring along a variety of food-borne diseases such as salmonella, E. coli, shigella, and clostridium among others. Certain ant species like carpenter ants will cause damage to wooden structures.

In a bid to find a lasting solution to your ant issues, you’re likely to seek out remedies that work.

While there are lots of these remedies, not all are proven. Being proven in this case has to do with the certainty of their repellent and extermination effect.

A case in point is cornstarch. So, will cornstarch kill ants?

Cornstarch For Ants

From the name alone, you’re able to figure out what cornstarch is.

This product is mainly derived from the starchy portion of corn endosperm. It’s quite a versatile product used as a deodorant, as a thickening agent as well as for skin soothing.

Cornstarch also helps to untie knots, used to get a matte nail finish as well as for cleaning playing cards. There are lots of other uses of cornstarch we won’t be discussing.

Instead, we’re more concerned about whether it can be used to kill ants or not.

There are lots of claims about the efficacy of cornstarch as an insect killer. Since ants are insects, it’s logical to infer that cornstarch kills them too. But are claims about cornstarch killing insects true?

Let’s find out.

The Quest for a Non-Toxic Method of Ant Control

It’s necessary to understand that the non-toxic doesn’t apply to the pest being targeted. Instead, it applies to humans, pets, and possibly beneficial insects.

One thing with cornstarch is that it’s non-toxic. As an environmentally friendly product, it will be of great benefit to have it exterminate ants.

This is not a confirmation of cornstarch killing ants.

Instead, it’s a buildup towards unveiling the true efficacy of cornstarch against ants. With this said, let’s now focus on the effects of this versatile product on ants.

Will it kill them? Keep reading for further details.

Will Cornstarch Kill Ants?

It does! Cornstarch will give you the needed relief from ant issues.

There are lots of cases where cornstarch has proven effective in dealing with ant problems. As a food product, ants are attracted to cornstarch.

If so, how does it kill them? Does that mean it’s toxic? Not exactly!

Cornstarch can be eaten by ants without a problem. You may want to try this out by sprinkling cornstarch around. These insects will starch hauling this white powder off to their colony.

So, how are ants killed by cornstarch? Let’s find discuss.

How Cornstarch Kills Ants

For cornstarch to kill ants, you’ll need to find these insects as they move to and from a food source. With the ant path spotted, simply get some cornstarch in a cup and sprinkle along such an area.

After the initial confusion, ants will begin carrying the cornstarch back to their colony.

Now, a lot of patience is required on your part.

Sometimes, you’ll have to wait for as long as 24 hours. When ants begin to haul away your cornstarch, get a spray or sprinkler will with water and spray over these ants.

You don’t want to apply too much water to wash away your cornstarch.

Instead, all you have to do is make it wet enough to create a cement-like mixture. When this mixture gets dried up, these ants are trapped and killed.

Here, it’s evident that cornstarch won’t kill ants when ingested but will only be effective when water is added to create a cement-like mixture.

Is Cornstarch a Reliable Method of Ant Extermination?

During pest treatments, the objective is to get rid of them as quickly as possible.

However, certain treatments such as the use of cornstarch create a mess. Having to dump a sufficient amount of cornstarch on ants and applying water until it’s wet will create a mess.

A thorough cleanup of the area is required. This is unlike other reliable methods of ant extermination such as the use of diatomaceous earth. With diatomaceous earth, there’s no need for water.

Plus the volume of the product used isn’t as much as that of cornstarch.

Diatomaceous earth works by dehydrating these creatures while cornstarch kills ants by trapping and drowning.

  • The Time Factor

With cornstarch, a great deal of patience is necessary. Sufficient time needs to pass after cornstarch application to enable ants to begin feasting and hauling this away.

That’s a significant amount of time a lot of people will rather use for other business.

It’s mostly better when you have to apply and not constantly check if ants are already feeding on the sprinkled cornstarch before applying water.

  • Cornstarch Won’t Kill All Ants

One thing you must know before treating ant infestation with cornstarch is that not all of them will get killed. This is because there are lots of others in the nest.

You might succeed in killing many but the truth is, there are still others that will still return to your home.

This is unlike other treatments that slowly poison ants. Slow-acting ant treatments allow sufficient time for these pests to haul off poisoned food to their colonies.

As they mingle and feast on the food, the entire colony is wiped out in a matter of days.

DIY Vs. Professional Ant Extermination

One of the common advantages of DIY pest treatment methods is that it costs little or nothing in terms of ant extermination cost.

Here, you’re directly involved and use basic household products as insecticides. While you may get some level of result, it isn’t as comprehensive as carrying out the same treatment professionally.

With professional treatment, the process tends to be more comprehensive. Here, a skilled technician applies the treatment necessary to get rid of these pests.

Cornstarch is one ant remedy you should consider if you wish to deal with ant issues.

We’ve discussed extensively how it works and other key points of consideration.

 

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