Ants

Does Salt Kill Ants?

Is your home under the invasion of ants, and you don’t know what to do? Ants usually enter indoors in search of their nesting habitat or food. Unfortunately, even tiny food crumbs attract them, and at times you might see ants crawling in a line on your dining table for no apparent reason. 

Thankfully, there are many remedies available for this task, and the most common one comes down to using something as simple as salt.

Is Salt Effective For Killing Ants?

Salt has a myriad of nutritional benefits. These benefits are not just limited to the kitchen, salt is also pretty handy when it comes to removing ants from your home.

However, salt only works if used adequately. Nevertheless, this substance can repel ants and reduce the chances of any severe infestation, provided you use it responsibly. 

ant eating salt

Here is how salt performs its job. 

  • Salt is a desiccant that helps dry out the ant’s exoskeleton by wreaking havoc. Ants breathe through their exoskeleton, and without it, they cannot survive. 
  • Alternatively, many people also believe that salt absorbs vapor and water present in the air. So, when an ant comes in contact with salt, the condiment pulls away all the moisture from the pest’s body, dehydrating it to death.  

Types of Salts

There are two types of salts that can help repel and kill insects:

  • Table salt
  • Epsom salt

Table salt is one of the easiest and cheapest products readily available in your pantry. However, this salt is only effective against ants when used in high quantities. 

On the other hand, Epsom salt, also known as magnesium sulfate, works as a fantastic remedy for many different ailments. Moreover, it also works effectively as a deterrent when sprayed on the ants’ affected area. Additionally, when mixed in water, Epsom salt may kill ants

The good news is that Epsom salt doesn’t pose any threat and is also relatively safe to handle. It is also often used in salt baths to produce a relaxing experience. However, since it contains sulfur and magnesium, the salt might prove harmful to your plants.

Best Ways to Use Salt to Kill and Repel Ants

Here are some ways to use salt to get rid of these uninvited guests in your house. Remember to use at least a kilogram of salt for this task; otherwise, you may not achieve your desired results. 

Also, while these methods are primarily effective, they might not work for deep and large ant nests.

Spread Salt Sprinkles On the Path

This common method often includes sprinkling table salt along the path of ants. Ants often feel irritated by the salt particles and avoid areas covered in them. 

If you locate these pests in more than one part of your house, curate a plan for broader coverage. For instance, instead of sprinkling salt on a specific path only, spread this condiment in different areas of your home, including the doorsteps and open windows. 

Moreover, if you successfully find the location of the ants’ nest, attack it first. Sprinkle as much salt as possible, and kill the source that might be causing havoc in your house. 

While this method is easiest to implement, remember that this solution might not work permanently. You might have to use other strategies, such as keeping your house clean every day, to help combat the ants’ attack. 

Use a Saltwater Spray

Home experts also often prepare a strong saltwater spray to kill ants. They mix some quantity of salt in boiling water, mix it well and then let the mixture cool down before attacking ants. You can use this remedy too, but make sure to sprinkle water on all the paths until you completely drench the ants and the track.

Unfortunately, this method also has a few downsides. 

For starters, the concentrated salt water may tarnish the paint on your wall or ruin metal fixtures. Besides, if used in your garden, it might also damage plants and grass. So, make sure to use the solution properly, without hurting anything else around you.  

However, if your main aim is to eliminate ants from your house, don’t worry about other damages and spray saltwater consistently to achieve your desired results. 

Use As Bait

Interestingly, you can also use Epsom salt as bait. Simply dissolve it in a bowl of water and place the bowl on the path that the ants walk on. 

If you want ants to enter the bowl easily, place a few sticks as bridges for these pests. When consumed, Epsom salt in water can prove very toxic for ants, killing them in minutes.  

Does salt kill ants?

Is Salt Best to Control Heavy Infestation?

Regardless of implementing extreme measures, you might find thousands of ants attacking your house. This problem might get quite overwhelming at some time, and while salt can repel ants effectively, it may not be enough to control the heavy infestation. 

In this case, you might have to plan a drastic strategy by requesting experts to handle this situation. Ensure to allow professionals to clean your house consistently for a week, at least until you encounter a significant drop in the number of ants in your home. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you want to explore more on this topic? Find some common questions and their answers below. 

How Do Ants React to Salt?

Interestingly, ants crave more salt than sugar. They prefer salty snacks over sweet food, but salt can absorb moisture from their body when consumed in high quantities, leading to their death. 

Where Should I Use Salt Spray?

Ants are primarily found in spots with water and food, such as your bathroom or kitchen. So, make sure to spray your salt solution in those areas before exploring other locations. 

Wrapping Up

No one wants their home to be attacked by thousands of ants now and then, and so one of the most common remedies experts use is salt. Salt may not be as effective as a pesticide, but it repels and kills ants when used in a large quantity and sprayed on the right areas. 

When mixed in water, Epsom salt can prove more effective than table salt. That said, salt alone can’t kill all ants and you will have to implement some other measures as well. For instance, keep your home clean, and in case of a heavy infestation, consult professionals as soon as possible.  

Similar Posts