Cornmeal Ant Killer

What is Cornmeal?

Cornmeal is a popular ingredient in many classic recipes, both for humans and animals. Transforming corn into corn meal involves grinding whole, dried corn kernels into various consistencies: coarse, medium, and fine.

Does Cornmeal Kill Ants? (Myth Explaned)

Although you may read online that cornmeal is an ant killer, it doesn't actually kill ants. That's because of the popular myth, spreading that ants find cornmeal indigestible due to the complex nature of its components, and that it swells inside their digestive system when they drink water, killing them. Then the worker ants would carry the cornmeal back to their ant colony and share it with the entire tribe, including the queen, leading to a breeding cessation and a complete collapse of the colony.

Why Cornmeal isn't an Ant Killer

Ants, similar to many pests, possess an efficient digestive system and contrary to the popular belief, ants indeed can digest cornmeal. Hence, feeding them cornmeal neither causes harm nor results in their death.

Lack of Toxic Properties in Cornmeal

Cornmeal, is non-toxic for both humans and ants. It neither contains insecticides properties nor any lethal elements that could pose a threat to ants.

From a pest control perspective, cornmeal doesn't stack up against effective methods such as boric acid solution or commercial ant baits. If you're battling an ant infestation, relying solely on cornmeal won't turn help you get rid of ants.

How to Create a Cornmeal Ant Killer Recipe?

For this recipe, you'll need:

• Cornmeal
• Boric acid
• Soybean oil
• Recycled plastic container (yogurt container)

Step 1: Cornmeal and Boric Acid

Add 9 parts cornmeal to 1 part boric acid. Bait insecticides must. Add enough soybean oil to turn the mixture into a paste.

Step 2: Place Cornmeal Bait into a Container

Take a recycled yogurt or sour cream container and place your cornmeal ant killer inside. Punch tiny entry holes in the lid (enough for the ants to crawl). Make sure to put the containers out away from children and pets, as it can be toxic if ingested.

Step 3: Remove Other Food Sources

Remove all other food sources and clean your house (indoors and outdoors) to make sure ants don't eat anything more than your cornmeal bait.

Step 4: Monitor the Bait

Check everyday to see if the ants are eating the bait. If the soybean oil isn't enough to attract the ants, try something sweeter like honey.

⚠️ Don't apply your cornmeal ant killer to garden soil, as the boric acid can make your soil sterile.

⚠️ Make sure to change baits as soon as it rains, as the effectiveness will be reduced.

Alternative Natural Remedies for Ant Control

Beyond the ineffective use of cornmeal, there exist alternative natural substances that also wreak havoc on the structure of ant colonies.Let's explore a few of these ways and uncover why they're successful in ant control.

Vinegar

Like lemon, vinegar is an everyday household item, proves notably adept at repelling ants. Adding a 50-50 of water and vinegar to a spray bottle and spraying around the house can prevent ant infestation.

Its strong smell disrupts ant trails, derailing their ability to find food sources, thereby keeping ants away.

Cinnamon

Another effective ant killer might be sitting in your kitchen cabinet. It's cinnamon! Cinnamon essential oil works well as it provides robust repellant and insecticidal capacities against ants. Sprinkle the oil or ground cinnamon around doors, windows, and any other place you've spotted ants for excellent ant control.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE), effective against ants and other bugs, is your ally. It's a naturally occurring sedimentary rock—crumbled into a fine white powder lethal to any insect with an exoskeleton, ants included.

It works by damaging their protective layer, causing them to dehydrate and die. When deployed near nests or infested areas, it takes care of the ants without causing any harm to pets or plants. It's important to ensure diatomaceous earth is food-grade, guaranteeing it's safe to use around your home.

Conclusion

In the struggle against ant infestations, we've found that cornmeal doesn't pack a punch. Given its non-toxic nature, employing cornmeal as an ant killer tends to be ineffective, and you'd be better off using natural alternatives. Let's make this battle against ants a winning one by crafting ant killers at home with more effective ingredients.

Another home remedy worth trying is using baking soda to kill ants, which can be mixed with sugar to attract and eliminate them effectively.