Why Can't Ants Cross Line? - pestwhisperer.com

Using a chalk line to stop ants in their tracks is a popular home remedy. It works by disrupting their pheromone trails and thus stopping them from accessing their food source.

Ants are fascinating insects. They are capable of climbing many different surfaces and walking vertically without falling. They can also produce force on their bodies to keep them from falling off of surfaces. In fact, they can lift fifty times their own weight.

Ants are able to climb almost any solid surface. They have claws on their feet to help them climb. These claws also function as a kind of suction. They also have arolia pads on their feet. These pads are very sensitive to pheromones. Pheromones are chemical substances that help insects, including ants, to efficiently utilize their resources.

Ants are also very sensitive to smell. If they smell something that they think is bad, they will change their behavior. They will also leave a scent trail. These trails can be disrupted by chalk, but they will usually quickly resume their journey.

Another good home remedy is to use a salt solution. Salt acts as an ant repellent. Simply pour a salt solution into a spray bottle and spray it on the area. Once it starts to dehydrate the ants, they will stop moving. You can also douse ant hills with talcum powder. These solutions are effective in eliminating ants.

You can also use a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. This solution will kill the ants, but it is also messy to apply.