The question is; Will Lysol kill ants? A lot of homeowners seeking to try home remedies for ant control have asked this question.
Lysol isn’t only a known cleaning product and disinfectant, it turns out it has more than just these two uses. It has also been used successfully in pest control.
Our aim here is to provide answers. Stick with us to find out if Lysol can be used as an effective ant killer or not.
Can Lysol Kill Ants?
Lysol does indeed kill ants on contact.
The most common ant problems people deal with are the little black ants. These invade homes in search of food and water. This is compounded by pheromones secreted by them to identify food sources. But this problem can be contained when Lysol is used.
Lysol has been used to kill ants successfully. Apart from its cleaning and disinfecting properties, Lysol will also disrupt their feeding activities.
However, to get the job done, you’ll have to either find the ant colony and spray Lysol disinfectant over them or find their movement routes and spray along.
While any or both of these will prove helpful, you can still attract these ants by making baits.
One of the easiest ways is to apply to pour some sugar around areas these ants frequent. When they pick up such granules, they invite the rest to come and join in the feast.
READ: Using Bleach For Ants
You’ll need to be patient and check frequently to see if they turn out in mass before applying your Lysol.
Killing Ants with Lysol
The process of killing ants with Lysol is pretty much straightforward.
Ants can be found at any time of day. These are hardworking creatures that scout for food which is then taken back to their colonies.
As such, spotting them won’t be difficult.
Also, it’s only after the problem has been identified before any treatment is applied. Before applying Lysol on these ants, you may want to trace where they’re coming from. Ants will always be coming from, and going to a food source.
Having spotted their target or food source, trace them back to their source of origin with your Lysol spray kept at the ready.
Having established their colony, you can begin to spray along their paths right to their colony ensuring they are well drenched with the solution.
Applying onto, or around their colony helps kill them off. Such a colony is likely to lead outdoors. If it does, consider digging around until the colony is well exposed before spraying your Lysol over them.
Preventive Measures
When exterminating ants with Lysol, more focus should be on the cause(s) for such infestation rather than the effects. In other words, you should be looking at what attracted them in the first place instead of trying to kill as much as you can find.
By getting rid of the cause, you’ll be taking control of the situation in the best way possible.
Common, yet effective ant preventive measures won’t require the use of Lysol or other home remedies. It is taken to dissuade ants from returning. Such measures include the following;
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Removing Pet Bowls
Pet bowls serve as attractants for ants and will always become a meeting point for them. However, your pets must feed, right? The best way to do this is by scheduling a feeding time(s) for your pets.
This allows you to get such bowls out of sight until it’s time to feed.
Not only should pet bowls be removed after feeding, but food crumbs should also be cleaned up to keep ants at bay. By doing this, you’re taking away any incentives that might serve as an invitation to ants.
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Clean Your Kitchen and Dining Area
The kitchen and dining area are likely to become targets for ants. The reasons are simple. Ants will always scout for food and crumbs are likely to be littered in an unkempt kitchen and dining area. These areas of the home including others should be cleaned thoroughly.
Sugary substances and food spills should also be wiped off immediately. The cleaner your surroundings, the less likely you’re going to be faced with an ant infestation. Also, the pantry and kitchen countertops should be wiped and cleaned out.
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Trashcans Should be Emptied Frequently
Never leave your trashcans to stay overnight without emptying. The longer they hold trash, the more likely they are to serve as food targets for ants.
You can prevent this from happening by taking out your trash as frequently as necessary. Trashcans should also have secure lids.
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Cut Off Vegetation Leaning Onto Exterior Walls
One of the many ways ants find their way into homes is through overgrown vegetation which leans onto exterior walls. It’s necessary to go round your home to find if you have such. Ants love to climb up tree branches and vegetation.
Therefore, trimming these to an acceptable distance will help limit the chances of having an infestation.
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Check for Cracks on Walls
However tightly sealed your entry points are, you are still likely to experience an ant infestation. This is especially true if your walls have cracks (however tiny they maybe). What you need to do is to go round your property to inspect your outer walls.
Chances are that you’ll find one or more cracks that explain the presence of ants within your home. Seal such holes while also exterminating those within your home with Lysol.
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Food Should Be Kept Tightly Sealed
Wherever ants are seen, one thing is certain; they are after food. Their presence means food isn’t far away.
However, you can make this inaccessible to them. The best way to do this is by keeping all foods tightly sealed. Sweet foods should be well stored. This includes sugar, honey among several others.
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Ant-Proofing Your Houseplants
Wherever you find ants on trees, chances are that they may be nesting under the tree.
Your houseplants should be frequently inspected and such plants removed if needs be. Unaffected plants can be surrounded by citrus rinds from either oranges or lemons. This keeps them at bay and away from your home.
Using Natural Ways to Eliminate Ants
Treating ant infestation with natural strategies will also go a long way to get rid of the problem.
Lysol can be used in addition to any of these to provide lasting solutions. A few of these natural methods include the application of diatomaceous earth, hand soap to remove ant pheromones, sprinkling cayenne pepper, and the use of essential oils among others.
Conclusion
Ant infestation stems from an opening. Ants will find so many openings into your home due to their size.
So, while caulking up such openings, Lysol can be applied directly to them. You can easily trace ants from their entry points to food sources.
Lysol should be applied all through their path. It kills them instantly and also prevents other ants from following this caravan path.
This is because it interferes with their pheromone secretions. This, in turn, disorients them.
Lysol kills ants and can be used effectively in ant control. In addition to its use are other effective strategies that include preventive measures as well as the use of natural remedies.