When ants take up residence in a home or property, they become unwanted guests that can damage plants, food, and furniture.
How to Get Rid of Ants Without Using Toxic Chemicals
One of the easiest and cheapest ways is to use flour.
Why does flour help against ants?
Ants have a complex nutritional system that is based on the exchange of a sweet secretion called trophallaxis.
This secretion is produced in special glands and is passed from one ant to another through the mouth.
In this way, the ants provide themselves with energy and exchange information about food sources.
Flour contains a large amount of carbohydrates, which are sweet to ants. However, unlike sugar or jam, flour does not dissolve in water and is not fermented in the insects' stomachs.
So when ants eat flour, it clogs their digestive tract and causes constipation.
In addition, flour can cause gas and bloating in ants, which also leads to their death.
How to Use Flour Against Ants
To control ants using flour, follow these steps.
• Find places where ants gather and move around your home or property. Typically, these are cracks in walls, floors or ceilings, near doors or windows, under the sink or refrigerator, near trash cans or a compost heap.
• Sprinkle these areas with a thin layer of wheat or corn flour. You can also use other types of flour, such as rye or oatmeal, but they are less effective.
• Repeat the procedure every few days until all traces of ants disappear.
• Remove dead ants and flour residue with a vacuum cleaner or damp cloth.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
Using flour against ants has its advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages are the following.
• The method is safe for people, animals and plants, as it does not contain toxic substances.
• The method is economical and accessible, as it does not require special means or equipment.
• The method is effective against different types of ants, as it affects their general physiology.
The following can be named among the disadvantages.
• The method requires patience and regularity, as it does not give quick results.
• The method may not be suitable for use in some conditions, such as high humidity or strong wind.
• The method may cause an allergic reaction in people or animals sensitive to cereal pollen.
Conclusion
Flour is a simple and inexpensive way to combat ants in your home or garden.
It affects the digestive system of insects and causes them to die from constipation or gas.
To use this method, you need to sprinkle the places where ants gather and move with a thin layer of flour and repeat the procedure every few days until the pests are completely eliminated.
This method is safe for people, animals and plants, but may be uncomfortable or allergenic in some cases.
