This has happened with all of us!
You stroll into the kitchen, you open your dishwasher, and then voila! Ants are lining up in their ideal buffet right in your dishwasher.
I know how frustrating it is that ants will likely invade your house, especially your dishwasher!
Important Note: If you're tired of pests and want a reliable solution, then you should definitely consider seeking help from a professional pest control company. DIY solutions can be effective, but if you're dealing with a significant pest infestation, you don't want to rely solely on DIY methods. Pest control companies typically don't charge huge fees. You can fill out this form to receive free quotes from the top local pest control companies, and compare the quotes and see for yourself. Then, finally, your pest problems will be eliminated for good.
Obviously, we don’t want that to happen! We got you covered on this one.
In this article, we will let you in on some pro tips in getting rid of ants in your dishwasher. And, this is all homemade!
Remember, we share the same sentiments. We are here to help you deter ants in your dishwasher naturally and effectively.
Things That Attract Ants In Your Dishwasher
Ants are diligent scavengers. They like to forage for food, water, and shelter.
This is why you can find them lining up in your kitchen counter, or worse, in your dishwasher because they find it favorable to get food and bring it back to their colonies.
Let’s just put it out right there: ants like different food. They are omnivores which means they are not picky eaters.
So, what attracts ants in your dishwasher? Well, your dishwasher is the cornucopia of food and grease residue! Imagine your dishwasher is an endless buffet of food for ants.
Most of us are guilty about leaving our dishes unattended in our dishwashers. We would just leave it for days unclean with bacon grease and any food residue.
But, you may be curious how ants can forage for food in your dishwasher when there is hot water every time you turn it on.
Well, the answer is simple. Ants can infiltrate every tiny crack and crevice in your dishwasher. This is why it is no rocket science for them to scavenge food in your dishwasher.
Ants can freely enter and exit in their ideal buffet spot.
Getting Rid of Ants In Your Dishwasher
Ants are social insects. You should expect them to go and scavenge for food in groups. That’s just how these insects work together.
Some of you will opt to run the dishwasher and hope that ants are rid of instantly. But, sorry to burst your bubble, ants are expert escape artists.
Here are some pro tips that will help you get rid of ants in your dishwasher. And, these tips are homemade and hazard-free. We got you covered on this one!
Use Liquid Soap and Water
This is one of the effective homemade solutions you can use in getting rid of ants in your dishwasher. This is a temporary solution, but it will work nonetheless! Remember, you need to do this diligently.
All you need to do is mix a teaspoon of liquid soap with water filled in a spray bottle. Make sure that you shake the bottle well.
Then, you need to spray this inside your dishwasher, where ants scavenge food. Also, it would help if you wiped the remaining dead ants with a sponge.
Cleaning their trail will ensure that other ants won’t follow the lead to the dishwasher. Also, it will erase the scent of ‘pheromones’ that these insects left behind.
The scent of the liquid soap will deter these ants from coming back into your dishwasher.
Use Vinegar
One of the best natural remedies in getting rid of ants is vinegar. Vinegar contains a strong and pungent smell. It is one of the acidic condiments used throughout the world.
If you follow this tip, ants will be forced out of your dishwasher in no time.
All you need to do is fill a spray bottle with raw and white vinegar. Remember, do not mix it with water.
The pungent smell of the vinegar will deter the ants lining up in your dishwasher. It will definitely sour (no pun intended) them to keep coming back in your dishwasher.
Makes sure that you clean up the mess of the remaining dead ants. Use a clean kitchen towel or a sponge to wipe off the residue.
Also, it will erase the ‘pheromones’ left by ants in their trail. It will discourage their fellow ants from following the lead going to the dishwasher.
Vinegar is a helpful home remedy that eliminates many pests like spiders, lanternflies, etc.
Use Essential Oils
Spraying your dishwasher with a mixture of essential oils is another proven homemade solution to eliminate ants in your dishwasher.
Just like the smell of vinegar, essential oils carry a strong and pungent smell as well.
Essential oils will target the olfactory system of ants. They can smell the strong essence of these oils.
All you need to do is pour a few drops of essential oils into the water. Place the solution in a spray bottle and make sure to shake it well before using it.
After doing this, spray this homemade solution in your dishwasher. If ants are present, it will likely rid them in the dishwasher.
Also, it will deter these ants from returning to their ideal spot to forage for food.
Locate the Colony
More ants will likely follow suit if you see a few ants lingering inside your dishwasher. This time, you need to locate the source.
When you discover this source, you’ll find the colony of these ants and get rid of them in an instant.
If you see a trail of foraging ants, you need to follow them. You can also lure them with food bait to trick these ants into revealing their colony.
In creating a food bait, you can use sugar, peanuts, bacon grease, or any sumptuous food that you can place in a bottle cap or an aluminum foil.
If you managed to locate their colony, you need to pour boiling water directly into it. When you do this, make sure to keep your distance as fast as possible.
Ants will go in every direction and may bite your feet if you are on their way.
Final Words
Indiscriminately using pesticides and insecticides against ants will likely risk the health of both children and adults at home.
That’s why using homemade solutions to get rid of ants, and even cockroaches in your dishwasher is still the best way to do it.
We hope you note those pro tips in getting rid of ants in your dishwasher. Our piece of advice: get rid of them diligently.
Just like how diligent scavengers these insects are, you need to be extra diligent in getting rid of them in your dishwasher.
We know that this time you are better equipped to handle them. Just follow those pro tips, and your dishwasher will surely be ant-free!
Thanks for reading!
