Why Can’t Ants Cross Chalk?
WouterUsing chalk to keep ants out of your home can work. However, it’s not a permanent solution and ants will find another way to get into your house.
The best way to keep ants out of your home is to seal any gaps that may be causing them access to your home. Sealing gaps can be more effective than cleaning. If there are any cracks or holes, sealing them with petroleum jelly is a good idea.
Other remedies include baking soda, vinegar, garlic, peppermint, and even salt. Baking soda works best indoors. Ideally, you’ll want to apply a powdery substance to the area you’re trying to keep ants out of. Once the substance wears off, reapply it.
The reason chalk works is because it disrupts the pheromone trail. Ants use this chemical to communicate with each other and navigate. If ants encounter chalk, the pheromone trail will be disrupted, temporarily stopping their march.
Ants may also become confused or disoriented when they walk on chalk. They will then backtrack to pick up the scent trail left by the ants that came before them. After a short period of time, the pheromone trail will resume its course.
Chalk is a relatively cheap solution to your ant problem. However, it’s not as effective as other home remedies. This is mainly because chalk has a short shelf life and is also susceptible to wind.
The best way to keep ants away from your home is to use Diatomaceous earth, a non-toxic substance that has been used for centuries to kill insects. It’s easily available at most hardware stores.
