I just have to share this tip for natural ant control with you today. You see, in my home, we try to make the absolute best effort to keep everything natural. What I mean by that is no chemicals, no artificial anything, but by using elbow grease and all the wonderful things nature provides. It's that time of year again for us where the warm weather brings sunshine, flowers, green grass, and ANTS.

Gotta love those supremely strong, determined little critters. When we moved into our house over 12 years ago, one of the first things we noticed were ant traps left in corners here and there. I had a one-year-old in tow, plus a baby on the way, and didn't want those things strewn about. Our first spring we got hammered with all sorts of ants large and small. I tried a few different things, but eventually gave in and had the house sprayed by a professional pest control company. bleck.
Never again. That would be the last time I would do that. Watching my house get a coating of a nasty chemical was all I could stand. So, by the next spring I was going to find a way to stop them buggers naturally.
WHAT TO DO
It was later on in our second year in our home that I found a solution through an old critter ridder book that said grits were perfect for preventing such invasions. My jaw dropped...really...GRITS?? My dad used to eat these as a kid and had yet to try them myself, but thought it funny they would do they trick. I had heard how throwing rice at a wedding is a bad idea because birds come and eat the grains, then they cause the bird to get sick and die because the rice bloats their belly. It don't know if it's true or not, but that's what they say.

Same is true for grits and ants, or so the book I found says. They find the stuff, lug it home, share it and eat it, and their belly swells....you know the rest of the story. I feel bad for the little guys, but by golly I was sick of the invasions. I'm all about this type of natural ant control.

That coming spring I did got some grits and sprinkle around the entire perimeter of my house, all along the foundation. It worked like a dream!
Now it's your turn. Go on, give it a try!!
DIY TIME
When you do this, make sure to check the weather so that you have a few days of sunshine. Because if it rains, your chances of success are lessened.

One container of those gems is all I need to go around our 1600 sq. ft. home.
I poured mine up in a mason jar to make for easy spreading. Gotta love the versatility of those jars, right? Just pinching and throwing works great too.

Seriously though, all you have to do is create a layer and they'll find it.
THE REMEDY
Can I just say that this method works and I am in antless heaven!! I have used it every year since and without fail. Once I start seeing an ant or two come in and the days are heating up, I head out with grits in hand. In a matter of days, they are GONE. Now, that doesn't mean I will never see another random six-legged visitor all summer. But by golly, the invasion has ceased and we're free of that chemical burden.
Aaaahhh...sigh of relief that with a little help from ladies of generations past and a grocery store unclaimed hero. I am happy to say we are staying healthy and happily antless.
I know I'm not the only one who could use the tip for natural ant control, so be sure to share!

If you have questions, just let me know. I'll be happy to help.
UPDATE: I've been told that it actually feeds them, but hey, who cares! I don't mind if they stay outside, as long as they stay out of my home. WIN-WIN!
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