Boric Acid

• Boric acid is found naturally as a mineral compound known as sassolite. Other mineral forms are borax and boracite. Boric acid is also commonly found in fruits, plant species and in salt compounds of seawater. Boric acid is toxic to ants and is also used as a pesticide. This toxic compound can be purchased in powder form and mixed in with other natural baits and used in or around ant traps.
  
  

Cornmeal

• Dry cornmeal is especially effective when used as a bait for ants. Cornmeal can be sprinkled around ant colonies or ant mounds or used in a container trap. Once the cornmeal is ingested by the ants, it will expand inside the body as it mixes with water, causing the ants to die. Ants will typically take the cornmeal back to the colony where other ants will feed on the substance and eventually die.
  
  

Container Traps

• Container traps are highly effective in trapping and killing large quantities of ants. These traps can be made from any plastic container with a lid. Any plastic container, such as a butter container, can be used along with an effective bait. Simply poke a bunch of holes in the sides of the container that are large enough for ants to get inside, then place the bait mixture in the container. Ants will either enter the container, consume the bait and die inside, or take the bait out of the container and bring it back to the colony where more ants will feed and die. You can place several of these traps around your house, in your garden or anywhere else ants are a problem.
  
  

Mixing Baits in Traps

• Bait mixes can consist of any toxic substance, whether organic or not, mixed with sugary foods, such as granulated sugar, peanut butter, flour or common snack foods. Common mixes include crushed oats, cookies or leftover potato chip crumbs. Mix the food substance with a substance such as cornmeal or boric acid and place the bait into a container trap. Leave a small trail of crumbs leading up to the trap and you're sure to draw a line of foraging ants right into the trap.
  
  

Diatomaceous Earth

• Diatomaceous earth traps act as a killing agent for many insects. This substance is a sediment made up of the skeletal remains of Bacillariophyceae; a type of algae. The properties of the sediment contain microscopic razor sharp particles. As insects travel over or through the sediment, the particles cause abrasion and lacerations. This will eventually cause the insect to die because of bleeding and loss of fluid. The substance can be sprinkled on or near ant colonies, effectively killing them as they try to forage for food.