The name says it all. The queen ant is generally the root cause of menace when it comes to ants in your house. Therefore, in this article, you will read about everything you need to know about how to kill the queen ant in your house! Hopefully, this will help you kill off the ant infestation that’s feeding on the crumbs in your kitchen!
Table of Contents
What are the two types of ant nests?
When an ant colony grows too large, the ants will start to establish satellite nests. These nests are usually small and contain only workers, as the queens and eggs remain in the main or mature nest.
There are two types of ant nests- the mature nest and the satellite nest.
- The mature nest is the main or original nest where the queen ant resides.
- Satellite nests are smaller nests that are created by worker ants when they find a new food source.
What is the main difference between queen ants and worker ants?
Queen ants are the only reproductive members of an ant colony. They lay eggs and are responsible for the overall health of the colony.
Worker ants are sterile females or male ants who do all the work in the colony without any help from other queen ants. This includes foraging for food, caring for larvae, and building and repairing the nest.
Worker ants are responsible for many tasks in the colony, chief among them being the care of the queen, young, and food. They also build and maintain the nest, defend it from intruders, and collect food.
Why is killing the worker ants not going to be helpful for you?
The fact is that killing only the worker ants, as and when you spot them, might help only a little in your quest to get rid of an ant infestation in your house. But it probably won’t have a lasting or substantial effect as such.
The reason is that the workers are only doing the queen ant’s bidding. It is the queen ant of a colony that lays eggs and populates the colony with more worker ants. Therefore, even if you kill a few worker ants, the queen ant will continue to lay eggs and give birth to more workers!
If, however, you manage to eliminate or kill the queen ant, you will get rid of the root source of the entire ant population. Therefore, even though you won’t see the effect immediately, the worker ants will only stay alive for their natural lives or lesser.
Once they die, there is no queen ant that can lay any more eggs and create more worker ants. Therefore, the entire ant colony will gradually die out!
How can you identify the queen ant?
Queen ants are typically much larger than the other ants in a colony. They also have a different shape to their thorax and abdomen. Additionally, queen ants have longer legs than the other ants in the colony.
Apart from the fact that the queen ant is the largest ant in the colony and can be easily identified by her size, she will also have a third segment on her body that is significantly larger than any male’s segment, making her easily distinguishable from other ants in your house or yard.
If you are not entirely sure whether or not you have found the queen ant, it is best to capture her and take her to an expert.
What is the typical structure of an ant colony?
Most ant colonies have one queen ant and many worker ants. The queen ant is the only reproductive member of the colony, and she lays eggs.
Worker ants are the sterile ones and do all the work in the colony, such as foraging for food, caring for larvae, and building nests.
The queen ant is the sole ant that can give birth to more ants by laying eggs in an ant colony. All other ants in the colony are either male or female, and they serve the queen. The queen is typically the largest ant in the colony, and she gives birth to all of the other ants.
What happens when the queen ant dies in an ant colony?
When the queen ant dies, the colony will soon die. The queen ant is easily the most important member of an ant colony, and her death will cause the colony to collapse. This is because she is responsible for laying eggs and maintaining the population of the colony.
When the queen ant dies, all the workers in the colony will start to die off. This happens because the queen is responsible for producing pheromones that control the reproduction and behavior of the workers.
If there are multiple queens in a colony, they will kill each other until only one is left.
How can a queen ant die generally?
The death of a queen ant can happen in a variety of ways. Worker ants will eliminate a queen if she is no longer needed, but sometimes this action goes too far and eliminates all the queens. This can lead to the colony dying out.
While this is nature at play, there is also another scenario wherein the queen ant dies. In this scenario, it is typically the concerted effort of human beings to artificially kill the queen ant and get rid of the ant infestation on a given premise.
How to kill the queen ant?
The overbearing question of this article is how to kill the queen ant, and, as promised, here is your guide on how you can kill the queen ant of the ant colony enjoying the spoils of your dinner!
Use ant baits to kill the queen ants through the worker ants!
If you have an existing or growing ant problem in your house or yard, using ant bait traps is a great way. If you see ants walking in a line near your home or yard, you will likely have an ant nest somewhere close by.
The bait traps work by attracting the worker ants, who then take the bait back to the queen ant. This will eventually kill her and stop the infestation. There are a variety of different types of ant bait traps available, so be sure to choose the right one for your needs.
In order to kill the queen ant, it is important to use traps that will be appealing to the worker ants. However, it is crucial that you keep these traps away from animals and children as they contain poison. Read below how you can create or make your own ant bait trap!
How to make an ant bait trap?
An ant bait trap is made of two simple ingredients: borax and sweet food. The borax is mixed with the water to form a paste, while the sweet food can be anything from jelly to syrup.
The traps are easy to make and can be placed in strategic locations around your house or yard to help control an ant infestation.
Bait is a critical part of any ant control program. The bait is mixed with borax, which makes it thick and gooey. This will help the ants to carry it back to the nest.
There are many different ways to make an ant bait trap. Another way is to mix sugar and borax together in a bowl until it forms a paste.
You could also use corn syrup and baking soda. Put the bait where the ants are coming in and out of your house or yard, and they will hopefully eat it and die.
Locate the ant nest and pour insecticide onto it.
In order to kill the queen ant and all of the ants in your house or yard, you will need to locate their nest and then pour insecticide onto it. You can find suitable ant insecticides in most hardware and pesticide stores.
The insecticide will kill ants instantly on contact and will continue to gradually eliminate any ants for up to ninety days, depending on which product you choose.
If you can’t find the ant nest, or if it’s in a difficult-to-reach place, try using a spray foam insecticide. Look for one that has a long, slender nozzle – this will help you get into those tight spots.
Once you spray this type of foaming insecticide, the liquid will solidify and form a poisonous foam that will then gradually kill the ants in these difficult-to-reach places!
Use insects to get rid of pest insects – beneficial nematodes.
Nematodes are small, beneficial insects that can be used to get rid of pest insects. They are available at most garden stores and can be applied directly to the soil where the pests are found.
These insects are a great natural way to get rid of pests in your garden or yard. Once you have released them, they will need water applied followed by shade to avoid heat damage and successful elimination of pests.
In order to use nematodes as a form of pest control, it is important to understand how they work and when they need to be released. Nematodes are best released on a specific day, and they should be watered in properly so that they can reach the pests.
You could also discuss how to use beneficial nematodes to your advantage with your local pest control professional.
Use a quality bug bomb to get rid of the queen ant.
If you have an existing ant problem in your house or yard, another fantastic way to get rid of them is by using a bug bomb. This will kill the queen and stop the ant colony from growing.
Make sure that you read the manual’s instructions carefully and take all necessary precautions when using a bug bomb.
Bug bombs, or total release foggers, are an effective way to get rid of queen ants in your house or yard. The process will take four hours for the fogging and two hours for airing out the premises.
You could use an ozone machine to kill the queen ant.
In order to kill the queen ant, you can use an ozone machine. It’s a lot like fogging your house – you just need to make sure that the ozone machine is set up properly and is targeting the ants. Ozone machines are available for purchase online or at most hardware stores.
It’s important to note that you’ll need to leave the machine on for ten hours and open all doors and windows afterward in order to clear the ozone from your home. Otherwise, you could experience adverse health effects.
This is mainly because ozone machines use airborne compounds to achieve maximum coverage in space. This helps them kill the queen ants and worker ants effectively, even if they are in hidden nooks and corners of the house!
Simply pour boiling hot water into the ant colony’s nest.
Now, ants are insects that thrive off sunlight or other external sources of warmth and heat. That said, ants don’t die because of the cold. Rather, they exhibit a behavior similar to hibernation by which they save their energy.
However, ants are not equipped to withstand the temperature of boiling water. Therefore, pouring boiling water is effective because it kills ants instantly after coming into contact with them.
The only disadvantage of using this method is that it would be best applied on a warm or sunny day. On warms days, ant colonies stay close to the upper surface of their nests.
Since boiling water cannot penetrate the complete depth of a mud nest, having them close to the surface ensures that the boiling water comes into contact with the queen ant along with the worker ants and kills them immediately!
Use orange or neem oil by pouring it into the nesting holes created by ants.
If you are seeing an influx of carpenter ants in your house or yard, there are a few things that you can do to get rid of them.
One option is to pour orange or neem oil into their nesting holes. Pouring the oil into the nesting holes created by the ants will ensure that they die over time. You should also ensure that you do this on a regular basis for the best results!
Consult a pest control professional as your last and ultimate resort.
If you have an ant problem and you’ve tried all of the DIY methods to get rid of them with no success, it is time to consult a pest control professional. Professional services have the knowledge and tools necessary to eradicate an ant infestation completely.
However, it is important to remember that even if you hire a professional, there is no guarantee that the ants will move on and no way to know how long the migration might take.
Conclusion
There is a motley of ways that you can use to kill queen ants. In fact, many of these ways will kill the queen ant and eliminate colonies of worker ants, all at once! Since all of these are DIY methods, you can get started using them by yourself!
FAQs
What happens if you kill a queen ant in your house? ›
So, what happens when a queen ant dies? The answer is straightforward, the colony will eventually die as well. Ants don't flee to another territory or nest if their queen passes away.
How do I get rid of ants in my yard and house? ›- Diatomaceous earth (silicon dioxide) ...
- Glass cleaner and liquid detergent. ...
- Ground black or red pepper. ...
- Peppermint. ...
- Tea tree oil. ...
- Lemon eucalyptus oil. ...
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) ...
- White vinegar.
You will rarely spot a queen ant outside of the nest because she spends most of her life laying eggs. If the queen is out of the nest, that means it is mating season, and she's on the prowl for a mate.
How do you get rid of a queen ant nest? ›A toothpick can be used to get a queen ant out of her nest.
Simply insert the toothpick into the nest opening and wait for the queen ant to come to the surface. Once she is on the toothpick, carefully remove her from the nest.
- Water and white vinegar.
- Soapy water is another safe solution to get rid of ants. Mix a capful of liquid soap with a cup of water and put into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the ants whenever you see them. Once they have all been caught, wipe them up after five minutes.
Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray it directly on the ants to kill them, then wipe up the ants using a damp paper towel and discard them. You can also use vinegar and water as a deterrent; spray it around your windowsills, doorways and other places where you see ants coming inside.
What kills the queen ant? ›Since the queen ant stays hidden inside the colony for her entire life, she can only really die from two causes: worker ants or humans. Worker ants will kill off multiple queens but sometimes go too far and accidentally kill all the queens. Other than that scenario, a human is likely responsible for a queen's death.
Will vinegar kill an ant colony? ›Vinegar—whether white vinegar or apple cider vinegar—is a common ingredient in many kitchens. That's probably why many homeowners hope that vinegar or a mixture of apple cider vinegar and dish soap will kill ants. Unfortunately, it doesn't work.
Is it OK to kill a queen ant? ›She controls the colony by releasing chemical substances called pheromones that dictate the activities and behaviour of the workers. Usually, killing the queen makes it possible to exterminate the colony.
Can queen ants harm you? ›Queen ants cannot sting. They are relatively inactive and immobile and they primarily engage in feeding and laying eggs. They are dependent on other members of the ant colony for defense.
How long do ants live with a queen? ›
For the queen in any colony, their life may span up to around 15 years, while the worker ants live for roughly 7 years. This is, of course, if they can avoid predators and other dangers. For a reproductive male – one of the flying ant types – the lifespan is much shorter at around only 2 weeks.
What season do queen ants come out? ›In spring and fall, some of the reproductive caste (winged male ants and virgin queen ants) take off on a nuptial flight at which time they mate. The males soon die and the fertilized females lose their wings and start a new colony.
How many queen ants are in one nest? ›Fire ants are social insects, with each colony containing one or more queen ants. Queen ants can produce about 800 eggs per day. A “mature” colony can contain more than 200,000 ants along with the developmental and adult stages of winged black-colored male and reddish-brown female reproductives.
Where is the queen ant located in the nest? ›The queen's chambers are located deep within the ant colony as a protection against predators. Queen ants live much longer than the drones and workers who serve her—in some species up to 30 years. They sport wings and are much larger than the average ant encountered outside the colony.
Do queen ants stay in their nest? ›When a queen ant develops, they leave their birth nest and find a mate. After mating, they find a spot to start building a nest. Once the nest is built, the queen ant lays eggs and waits for them to hatch. The queen will remain at this nest and continue to lay eggs for the rest of her life.
Why do ants suddenly appear in my house? ›Ants usually come indoors in search of food or nesting habitat. Even small amounts of food, like pet food crumbs, can attract hordes of industrious ants. Ants are one of Earth's most successful animals, and comprise more than 13,000 species.
What is the best homemade ant killer? ›Try combining three parts powdered sugar with one part boric acid. The sugar will lure the ants in and the boric acid will kill them, Pereira says. Liquid is better—adult ants prefer to drink their food—so water this stuff down a little. “I recommend this to a lot of people,” Pereira says.
How do you find out where ants are coming from? ›Use your flashlight to look for ants behind or under refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, sinks, and cabinets. Ants may also be found in or around floor drains, inside the motor areas of refrigerators and microwaves, behind wall paper, and in cracks and crevices in cabinets and around walls.
How do I get rid of ants permanently overnight? ›Diatomaceous Earth is one of the most effective ant-killers out there, and placing them in the ant entryways can solve the problem of “how to get rid of ants permanently”. Diatomaceous Earth is made from remains of diatoms. Basically, by sprinkling them, ants dry and die.
What smell makes ants go away? ›Using citrus fruits
Ants hate the smell of strong citrus fruits. Save your orange, lemon and grapefruit peels and scatter them around entry points. It's a natural way to deter ants without harming them.
What food kills ants instantly? ›
Baking soda and powdered sugar: Spreading baking soda with powdered sugar mixture with equal parts may disrupt the digestive systems of ants and kill them. Vinegar: Wiping ants with a solution of equal parts of vinegar and water or only vinegar may work the best.
What does an ant nest in a house look like? ›Look for Signs of Ants
Piles of wood shavings are often found near the entrance to the nest. Keep your eyes open for small holes where ants can slip in and out. Spotting dead ants near your windows can also be a clue that a nest is nearby.
Here's the thing about ants: They never go away completely. And you don't necessarily want them to. Ants help control other pest populations and enrich the soil. But you still shouldn't have to deal with ants in your home or the parts of your yard where you spend time.
What will make ants go away? ›Salt, baby powder, lemon juice, chalk, vinegar, bay leaves, cinnamon, or peppermint oil are a few items that you have around your home that will stop ants from coming inside. Lay these out in areas where you see ants, and they'll stop using that area as an entrance into your house.
Where do queen ants come from? ›A female ant's fate to become a worker or queen is mainly determined by diet, not genetics. Any female ant larva can become the queen – those that do receive diets richer in protein. The other larvae receive less protein, which causes them to develop as workers.
Does Windex kill ants? ›Home Ant Control Tips
Windex, the glass cleaner, is a known insect killer. When you have an ant swarm in your house, spray them all with Windex and they will die nearly instantly. Windex can also eliminate some of the scent trails that ants follow to find food.
For ants, hydrogen peroxide is fatal, but when placed between a rock and a hard place, scientists found they'll drink the substance to cure themselves, New Scientist reports.
How long does it take to get rid of ants with vinegar? ›Use this white vinegar solution to spray all entry points of your home, try to spry all windows, doors, baseboards and the common paths that ants would travel within your home. Give about an hour for this solution to take effect, then after a few hours the ants should be dead.
How long does it take to get rid of an ant colony? ›Because ants swarm, once you have an infestation, they can be difficult to dislodge. It takes vigilance and a combination of treatments using both home and perimeter insect control, but an ant problem can typically be resolved within a week or two. Follow-up prevention is key to ensure that they do not return.
What will ants not cross? ›Better Than Hopscotch: Ants will not cross a chalk line. Draw a chalk line in front of exterior doors, to prevent ants from coming into the house. You can also draw a chalk line around tables on the porch or patio, to keep pesky ants away while dining outdoors.
What attracts a queen ant? ›
Ant queens are attracted to UV light when flying at night. Your setup can be as simple as replacing the bulb on your porch light and walking out every 10min or so to see what has arrived.
What do you do if you find a queen ant? ›Most queens arn't interested in food and will therefore be very easy to care for. Simply leave them alone in the dark. The queens gets their nutrition from breaking down their wing muscles that will never be used again. She is meant to spend the rest of her life beneath the Earth's surface.
Why are there queen ants in my house? ›When a house is overrun by ants, it means that an ant colony has been established in or around the location of the house. Ant colonies cannot survive without a queen ant, as the queen ant is the individual that is responsible for reproduction.
How rare is it to see a queen ant? ›First, it's important to note that it's extremely rare for most people to encounter a queen. That's because it's the job of the colony to protect the queen, so she stays hidden in a wood nest most of time. Carpenter ant queens are much larger than other ants in the colony and may measure up to an inch in length.
How do I know if I caught a queen ant? ›The queen ant will have scars where the wings once were, which you should be able to see if you examine her closely. Her trunk is usually as wide as her head, and her abdomen is large because her primary responsibility is to lay eggs for the colony. If you see an ant with a smaller head, it's most likely a worker.
Where is the queen ant located? ›The queen's chambers are located deep within the ant colony as a protection against predators. Queen ants live much longer than the drones and workers who serve her—in some species up to 30 years. They sport wings and are much larger than the average ant encountered outside the colony.
Do queen ants get killed? ›Since the queen ant stays hidden inside the colony for her entire life, she can only really die from two causes: worker ants or humans. Worker ants will kill off multiple queens but sometimes go too far and accidentally kill all the queens. Other than that scenario, a human is likely responsible for a queen's death.
What happens when queen dies? ›Prince Charles will immediately become king
“The moment the queen dies, Charles becomes the sovereign, a quasi-mystical transformation that is marked ceremonially and legally the next day,” Gullace says. “The code name for Charles's accession to the throne is Operation Spring Tide.
All species of ants live in fairly complex societies that revolve around the queen. Once the first workers hatch, the queen no longer leaves the nest and spends her life laying eggs.
How many queens are in an ant nest? ›Thus, while queens benefit equally by producing sons or daughters, worker females should prefer to raise sisters so they can pass on more of their genes. Indeed, researchers have found that ant colonies usually have about three females to every male.