DIY: Amazing Non-toxic Organic Ant Killer
by Nelson Doyle on Nov 27, 2007 with 114 Comments
Eliminate pesky ant colonies scattered across the lawn using an all-natural non-toxic ant killer that anyone can make himself or herself.
In most parts of the world, ants have become large colonies of invading armies that can number in the millions and overcome nearly any barrier that blocks their path. Ants attacking in large enough numbers can kill large prey in some cases, but ants usually are responsible for cleaning up the trash that other predators have left behind.
A few ants is a good thing to have around, but when too many gather in the backyard and front lawn, then they can cause panic in some people and havoc with a healthy lawn. The problem with using toxic chemicals to kill the ants is that the poison eventually seeps into the underground drinking water reserves, so any non-toxic ant killing method is far safer than traditional over-the-counter insect poison in the stores.
Non-Toxic Ant Killer Recipe
1 – 72 ounce box of instant grits per acre
Really, that is all that is needed to eliminate or control an ant problem. It does not kill on contact or instantly like the traditional ant killers, because grits are not toxic or poisonous. Usually within the first twenty-four hours a noticeable difference can be seen and approaching forty-eight hours the ant colony should be completely destroyed.
Application Instructions
First, walk the lawn or area where you are having an ant problem and flag every ant dirt mound that are found using either flags, paint or sticks. Last, Pour generous portion of instant grits around each ant dirt mound and do not disturb the area. It is that simple.
Do not dampen or wet the instant grits before or after the application. Use this technique only on clear sunny days, because it is very important to keep the instant grits dry before and after use or application.
Ant Expansion
The ants die from the inside out, because the grit when eaten mixes with the ant’s digestive juices and expands inside the ant’s stomach that eventually kills the ant.
Warning:
Do not feed to ducks, because it can cause death. Ducks and geese are unable to let gas (fart) and during the swelling of the grit gases are produced inside the stomach, which ducks and geese are unable to release the gases and can die instead.
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Published in: Do-It-Yourself
Anne Lyken-Garner | Nov 27, 2007 | Reply
Is grit something like cous cous? I think I had it once in the US but can’t remember what it looks like.
Nelson Doyle | Nov 27, 2007 | Reply
A grit is very tiny white corn bits that are very dry, but when boiled in hot water the grit expands in size and softens. Grits are delicious with butter or melted cheese or maybe ham or bacon bits added. Grits are common in the south and can be found in most southern diners that serves breakfast.
Erica T Barton | Feb 9, 2008 | Reply
Great article. Who knew.
Jessica | Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
I will try this, because it sounds like an environmentally-friendly method to control ants. Thank you for the tip.
Amy | Mar 27, 2008 | Reply
Great, I found this advice, just in time for Spring and Summer. We have ants pretty bad here where I live and I have always hated using poisons, because we have children and pets.
Gadget Guy | Apr 2, 2008 | Reply
Interesting solution to ant invasions. Do you know a solution for killing wasps?
kk | Apr 6, 2008 | Reply
Does this work on all types of ants?
Nelson Doyle | Apr 7, 2008 | Reply
Yes, kk. It should work on all ants. To the best of my knowledge no ants can fart, so the grits should expand inside of their bellies until it kills them, dead!
I killed an entire colony of fire ants last year and it only require one ample application on a dry, sunny day. I haven’t had ant problems like the ones that I had before I started using this ant fighting solution. But, remember to try this only on dry days.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
Kate | Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
Killing wasps is easy. Fill a pitcher with a good sqeeze of dish soap, fill the rest of the pitcher with water and splash it on the wasps. I splash right on the nest, and they just drop like someone turned on a light switch. Dunno how it works, just know that it does.
RJ | Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Raid kills wasps. I’ll have to try this ant killer solution, because I like this idea.
Jessica | Apr 14, 2008 | Reply
I tried this this weekend on a swarm of ants criss-crossing along my porch and it kill them all. I haven’t seen anymore in the last couple of days. And then, I went inside the house and fixed my self a bowl of steamy hot grits topped with a paddy of tempered butter.
Surprising it really works!
Stacey | Apr 25, 2008 | Reply
does anyone know if this is safe to use around cats? My basement has an ant problem and this sounds like the perfect solution – I didn’t want to use poison around my 2 yr old and my cats.
mele | Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
I am soooo excited to try to new method of killing ants. I have children and for years I have been using Raid which I hate to use but we have such a big ant problem. I am really hoping the grits will help my annoying ant problem.
Aloha,
Mele
ramz | Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
thanks grits your a swell killa
NZgirl | May 10, 2008 | Reply
I wish we had grits in New Zealand
Missouri Ozarker | May 13, 2008 | Reply
Send me $10 for postage and I’ll mail you a box.
mary | May 19, 2008 | Reply
omg. Death by inability to fart. Glad humans can eat grits! I have black ants in the house in almost every room (new construction) so will just sprinkle grits inside and out. Thanks for the tips you guys! Happy Spring.
Nelson Doyle | May 20, 2008 | Reply
Hi Everyone -
I would not suggest using this solution inside the house, because it could attract rats, mice and roaches. This ant killing solution is best advised to use only outdoors and on sunny, dry days.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
yumawest | May 22, 2008 | Reply
Do you know if it is safe for other birds? I a lot of birds in my yard, which is why I want to use something safe. Also have a lot of ants.
Sara | May 23, 2008 | Reply
I Just moved into a great apartment, only downside: i have a colony of red ants living in one of my walls. I would really, really like to get rid of them, they are a pain both literally and figuratively. does anyone have an idea that will let me get rid of them from inside the house?
any help would be greatly appreciated!
~Sara
Steph | May 24, 2008 | Reply
Will this work all over the lawn or over small parts over time? I have small brown ants all over and my lawn is beginning to look more like a beach. The large brown and red ants disappear with the Scott’s stuff, but not the small ants. Help?
Nelson Doyle | May 24, 2008 | Reply
Hi Steph -
This solution works best if you can locate the any mounds and sprinkle the instant grits around the ant mounds. Avoid using this treatment on days that rain is expected or if the ground is wet, because the grits when wet will expand and no longer will work to kill ants. The grits need to stay dry, so that after the ants eat them, then the grits will expand in the ants stomaches and kill them.
If you have ducks or geese around, then do not use this treatment, because instant grits can kill these types of birds, too and much in the same way it kills ants.
Usually, after applying the instant grits solution, it normally takes 24 to 48 hours to kill the ant colony.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
D.L. Farr | May 28, 2008 | Reply
Is there another name for grits? Do you buy in the food section of the store? Is it ceral?
Debbie | May 28, 2008 | Reply
I sure hope this works, I have a small dog who plays outside and wouldn’t want him to get hurt
Nelson Doyle | May 28, 2008 | Reply
Hi D.L. Farr -
Yes, you can buy grits in the supermarket, especially in the South (United States). It is grits are made from corn. All of the water has been removed and when the grits have been soaking in water (usually boiling water for cooking) each grit will rehydrate and expand in size.
Grits are very tasty topped with butter, salt and pepper. Or, butter and sugar for a sweet breakfast dessert. And, it can kill ants, too.
Keep away from ducks and geese, because it can hurt or kill them.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
Sara | May 29, 2008 | Reply
Is there anything that someone can recommend that won’t expand when it gets wet? I live in south Florida and it rains every afternoon like clockwork. I’ve tried flushing out the ant colonies with vinegar and lemon juice and they’re still coming back
any help would be great!
~Sara
Michelle | Jun 1, 2008 | Reply
Will cream of wheat work? I always thought it was like grits.
Nelson Doyle | Jun 2, 2008 | Reply
Hi Michelle -
I haven’t tested cream of wheat for this purpose, but I do think it could work the same. Cream of Wheat expands in size once it has soaked in usually boiling water, but the important thing is that it expands. You could give it a try and see if it eliminates your any problem. It couldn’t hurt you any and well the ants it may be a different story.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
Jim Giles | Jun 2, 2008 | Reply
Hi Sara,
Mix pinesol 50/50 with water and put in spray bottle and then
spray the ants with the solution. Kills on contact. Let me
know how it turns out!
Jim
Josie | Jun 9, 2008 | Reply
You can use lemon juice on your counter-tops too, to keep ants off of them. It will not kill them, but they will stay off of the surfaces where you wiped the lemon juice.
I tried the grits and it solved my any problem within just a few days. We had a bad fire ant problem here in Mississippi and we don’t anymore. Thanks Nelson for the idea.
mjc | Jun 12, 2008 | Reply
Lots of websites claiming that grits just make them move to another nest. Any return of your ant problems? Did they show up elsewhere in your yard?
Josie | Jun 12, 2008 | Reply
No. I seen dead ants after my husband dug up one of the ant mounts. It killed them and we don’t continue to have any problems with them. It is safe for my children and dogs to play in the yard again. Fire ants are a nasty bunch.
km | Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Green Works Natural cleaning spray from Clorox kills them on contact too. I’ve been using it in the house this week and it works great. I have 2 small children so dont want to use poisons.
randomness | Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
my dad has a bad ant problem under our patio. the ants come out of openings on the side. there are about 18 openings. do we just sprinkle grits by the all holes and wait for them to die? or just one hole?
Nelson Doyle | Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
Hi randomness -
I would suggest just sprinkling a couple of tablespoons of grits around each of the active holes that you can see the ants using. Just remember to apply the grits on a clear and sunny day, because if the grits should become wet or damp, then it will not work – it will not kill.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
Boblin | Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
I have some ants around the outside of the house and I have seen them in a couple of places in the house. Can I use the grits inside as well as outside? Also, how will I know if the queen ant has been eliminated?
Nelson Doyle | Jul 8, 2008 | Reply
Hi Boblin -
The instant grits solution is only recommended for outside use, because using it inside could attract rats, mice, roaches, or other insects that it will not kill.
I guess you could dig into the any mound to see if the queen is dead, but at least for me, I haven’t concerned myself to go to such extremes to kill ants. I would sprinkle the grits where I’ve seen ants and in a day or two, the ants would be either dead or gone.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
Boblin | Jul 8, 2008 | Reply
My problem is that my ants are outside on my deck but came in through a door. I solved them coming in the house but they appear to be behind my siding and possibly in a wall of my house. I was thinking of putting some of the grits on the deck (screened in) where the ants are and seeing if it works.
I have been using a combination of molasses, sugar and yeast which the ants are devouring but I understand that this can take awhile.
I will keep you posted. Thanks for the assistance.
randomness | Jul 8, 2008 | Reply
if you cant find grits around where you live you can use cornmeal as well.is grits another name for cornmeal? because cornmeal does the same thing
Karen | Jul 9, 2008 | Reply
Our organic vegetable and flower gardens have been overtaken by red ants. I applied the grits yesterday afternoon(making sure everywhere was dry) but now I need to water. Is this going to mess up the ant killing process? If so, how do I get around that? Just keep re-applying more grits after the garden has dried again?
Carolyn | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
I live in Toronto, ON Canada, what would be the equivilant to grits, I have a huge colony of ants underneath my back patio, but I have two cats and a dog, so poision is not an option. Girts sound wonderful, let me know
Nelson Doyle | Jul 11, 2008 | Reply
Hi Carolyn -
Honestly, I have no clue what type of food options there are in Canada, but even though I haven’t personally tested other substitutes for grits, I would think that (as randomness #39) has suggested cornmeal would work. Another product that may work, but again I haven’t tried it, is “Cream of Wheat”, because it too swells up to more than double its size once water is added and that is what happens inside of the ant’s stomach after the dried ingredient is ate by the ants.
Remember, do not get the ingredients wet or damp, because then it will not work. If you are using it in a garden and you need to water your plants, then you must re-apply the ingredients once the ground has had a chance to dry out. You could also try putting the dry ingredients in a bowl or plate and place the container in the garden, so to make it possible to remove the ingredients before watering, but I haven’t personally tested this technique.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
Debbie Brothers | Jul 15, 2008 | Reply
What about geckos? I don’t want to kill them. Will it?
Nelson Doyle | Jul 15, 2008 | Reply
Hi Debbie Brothers -
I do not have the answer to your question, because I do not know much about geckos. If they are able to pass gas (fart) then I would think that the grits, corn mill or cream of wheat would not kill them, but if they are unable to pass gas, then it is a possibility that this ant killing treatment could kill them as well as the ants. Maybe some other reader will have the answer to your question better than the one that I just provided to you.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
K. Roman | Jul 20, 2008 | Reply
I’m trying a combination of polenta and cous cous (in place of grits – which we can’t get in Australia) on my ant problem in the bathroom. I’ve placed 3 piles in places out of the way of moisture. I’ll let you know how it goes.
carol c. | Jul 22, 2008 | Reply
hi nelson,
since this is to be used as an outdoor solution only, do you have any advice for ants that are indoor? also, what are your thoughts about putting the grits down in a crawl space? since this is still technically a part of the house, would you advise against it?
Nelson Doyle | Jul 22, 2008 | Reply
Hi carol c -
No, I would not recommend using this solution indoors including in crawl spaces, because it could attract rats or mice or roaches. This solution is meant to kill ants and not rats, mice or roaches.
Trying wiping the area where you see the ants with some vinegar or lemon juice, because I have heard that ants will avoid the areas where vinegar or lemon juice have been wiped, but I personally have not tested them.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
David | Jul 25, 2008 | Reply
Will Wholegrain Quaker Oats have the same effect as Quaker Grits?
I went to several Super marker and they don’t have grits here. I live in Vancouver ,Canada. What other substitutes can I use?
Nelson Doyle | Jul 27, 2008 | Reply
Hi David -
I am not too familiar with any other options outside of that which I wrote about, because I haven’t had the opportunity to test any others out as completely has the instant grits that I have written about. Some of the commenters have suggested other solutions that may work, but I just cannot stand behind anything that I haven’t personally tested.
Personally, I do not believe that Oats will work, because oats doesn’t appear to increase in size by too much. Now, cream of wheat could possibly work, but I haven’t tested it. It does increase in its size by more than double.
It is the swelling that causes the ants to die and that is the reason that it is extremely important to apply on a sunny and dry day. Once wet it will not work.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
Marvin | Jul 29, 2008 | Reply
I live in the Philippines and have to control ants daily. Powdered sugar and Borax mix works good. We have what they call poor man’s rice, dried ground corn,(grits). I’m gonna give it a try. Also found some stuff from Malaysia that was invented by high school kids, the ants take it back to the nest and it makes them go crazy and they kill each other. It worked best on crazy little black ants. I battle with no less than three kinds of ants everyday. Sometimes it just takes a chemical weapon to do the job.
Neverty Agisti | Aug 3, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know what exactly I must tell you about this article. My religion, Islam, do not permit to kill even it’s an ant because Sulaiman (AS) Alaihi Salam can talk with this tiny thing. And Muhammad SAW ordered his people to not kill anybody although it is an ant. You can ask your muslim friends about this.
Nelson Doyle | Aug 6, 2008 | Reply
Hi Neverty Agisti -
You must do what your religion dictates to you. Does every comment that you leave on my articles have to do with your Islam position?
I have told you repeatedly that I will not nor do I want to debate Christianity Vs Islam, because we worship completely different Gods. You believe and serve a god that I do not serve nor worship, so respect my beliefs and I will respect yours.
Triond is no place to discuss religion in a debate format. This article is about eliminating ants and not about religion, so please don’t try to make it a debate. You will be debating alone, because I do not debate the “Truth” of Jesus Christ.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
TWO YOUNG BOYS | Aug 11, 2008 | Reply
These are great ideas. I have two small boys and a dog. I want the ants gone but didn’t want to kill the apple tree with poison since my boys love the apples. Hope this works.
two young boys | Aug 12, 2008 | Reply
I tried the Green Works Natural all purpose cleaner from Clorox. It worked great. It took about a minute for the ants to die. Several application are needed since we can’t find the nest. I would have used grits but our weather does not promise two days of dry weather, we have dew every morning. I was pleased to see that it also killed the aphids that the ants were eating.
nonserenity | Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for this article. I had heard about the grits but had forgotten it. We’ve had a lot of dry days lately, but wouldn’t you know when I find your article, it’s raining. I’ll take the rain and make a note to buy grits.
Also, thank you for your comment to Neverty Agisti, I also serve the Risen Savior and I just wonder why in the world anyone who is against killing anything would even come to this site.
God Bless you for the work you are doing.
Raven | Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Is this safe to use around lambs and other livestock?
sustainthis | Aug 15, 2008 | Reply
Would polenta work? It’s just another cut of corn….
Nelson Doyle | Aug 17, 2008 | Reply
Hi Raven -
I don’t think that grits will do any harm to livestock or lambs, but I am not a vet, so don’t take my word for it. I do know that it can kill some types of birds and ducks and geese are two of them I know it will kill or harm for sure.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
Neverty Agisti | Aug 19, 2008 | Reply
To: Nelson Doyle
Sorry, if sometimes I tell to you about Islam and Muslim. Do my comment become you think that this is between our religion. My comment do not important to my religion position.
I only said, for my religion. Not to you, anyway. Yes, I agree your article is not about religion. Hey, I only gave comment. Everybody up to gives his/her comments, right?
I’m sorry if it become hurts you.
I say repeatedly again and again that I don’t want to debate with you. I’m sorry if sometimes I talk about sensitive case. This sorry is not only for Nelson but also another readers here and Trionder.
Thank’s to Allah SWT I see this article. Again. Anyway do you not realize that I like to read your article.
My comments here do not too important to see, right?
Keep writing.
PS: So what about eliminating ants?
So what gitu loh!(What are important to debate this thing?)
Sorry, Nelson. Please take my apologize.
Neverty Agisti | Aug 19, 2008 | Reply
Do you not realize that I like to read your article?
I like your editing.
Your friend (if you still remember me as a friend anyway),
Neverty Agisti
AZchick | Aug 27, 2008 | Reply
I just wanted to say thanks!! I live in Arizona and I have seen some of the biggest ant hills I’ve ever seen in my life. This will be a perfect solution to use between the blocks of my back patio.
Kazdarwin | Aug 30, 2008 | Reply
I’m also from Australia and dying to know how K. Roman’s polenta and cous cous mixture worked out. We have a fire ant problem which is getting worse. I’m hoping to control those without killing the native birds in our area.
To the person quering killing geckos, they eat bugs [anything that moves] particularly cockroaches. If the mixture doesn’t kill the roaches they should be fine
Linda Em | Oct 1, 2008 | Reply
I remember that cucumber peels and mint were listed as good repellents. Well, the mint never did anything, it just gave them more plants to crawl over and on and when I put out the cucumber, I see the little pests hiding underneath them….whew!
Any other solutions for inside ants around the kitchen sink?
mimi pecky | Oct 10, 2008 | Reply
Hi, I live in Staten Island and lately my house is invaded by ants. First in the downstair kitchen, and then upstair bathroom. I had used Raid spray, ant bait, ant jelly. This is all only useful on the first day. The ants died. Then the second day new ants will arrive. If I wash the kitchen counter with lemon juice, what is the proper concentration? What is the indoor ant killer that I can use? HELP
Nate | Oct 14, 2008 | Reply
I use couscous. It works best, just make sure the ground is completely dry when applying and it’s not supposed to rain for 24 hrs. It also helps if you stir up the mound before sprinkingly it over the mound. You may have to sprinkle it two seperate days to kill the few that are left.
mimi pecky | Oct 14, 2008 | Reply
To Nate, can I use couscous in indoor environment, like in the bathroom?
Steve | Oct 25, 2008 | Reply
I am having ant problems getting into my hot tub. They climb in and eat the redwood and foam. I do not see a mound but a couple of trails. I live in Tennessee and it’s becoming cooler. Would you sprinkle and or pour grits surrounding the entire hot tub? Also, what about the temperature. Will grits work in the cooler temps? I’ve noticed the ants are moving very slow and eventually will die due to the cool weather. Please advise. Thanks
Neverty Agisti | Nov 15, 2008 | Reply
Ant Expansion
The ants die from the inside out, because the grit when eaten mixes with the ant’s digestive juices and expands inside the ant’s stomach that eventually kills the ant.
Warning:
Do not feed to ducks, because it can cause death. Ducks and geese are unable to let gas (fart) and during the swelling of the grit gases are produced inside the stomach, which ducks and geese are unable to release the gases and can die instead.
Okey, do not feed to the ducks because it can cause death to the ducks, but remember ants also animal.
Neverty Agisti | Nov 16, 2008 | Reply
I know how to avoid ant, (safely), keep our house clean!
Don’t left any sugar open in the air without ware…yeah !
That’s all.
Mari | Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
I’ve been dealing with several colonies of ants in almost every room. I was beginning to think my house was built on an ant supercolony. I have been looking for natural ways to kill ants too. I finally found something that works really well – mix 1 teaspoon of boric acid and 10 teaspoons of sugar with 1 to 2 cups of water then soak cottonballs in the solution. Remove the cotton balls and place them where you see ant activity, they will start to drink the solution and die. It dehydrates them, but takes a few days for you to notice less activity. I think I’ve killed several colonies already and finally have my house back.
Amie | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
Also…cornmeal and apparently molasses which is also supposed to be good for the soil
pixy | Mar 18, 2009 | Reply
I wonder if cornmeal and cream of wheat will bloat up as readily as instant grits? Seems overnight I have tiny ant hills everywhere!! An nary a grit in my cupboards!
Marine Mom | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
I was just looking for a solution to an ant problem when someone whose religion has been killing people for centuries is worried about killing ants????? They weren’t too worried about killing Americans on 9/11 and they tried to kill my son but couldn’t so if you don’t want to kill ants, just shut up.
pixy | Mar 25, 2009 | Reply
For those that cannot get instant grits, since I didn’t have any grits in the cupboard, I did have some fiber therapy like metamucal that I put in tea. It says on the package to use with a large glass of water due to the fact that is bloats up rather quickly. I sprinkled some on one of my many ant hills and happily listened to gas filled ant explode all over my lawn!!
as for the above comment,, I lost a brother on 911,,so let me add,, shut up and go home!!
marianne | Apr 9, 2009 | Reply
cinnamon keeps the ants out of my house. Grind cinnamon sticks in whatever grinder you have. The sticks hold the fragrance better than the powdered form you can get at the store. It looks messy but washes off easily. I ground some cinnamon sticks a month ago, put the powder in a covered jar and checked today the fragrance is still strong.
megan | Apr 10, 2009 | Reply
can you use instant grits???
Thanks abunch
Kittyn | Apr 11, 2009 | Reply
I am trying the cornmeal solution right now. I am doing it indoors right now. I put it down this morning before I read that you shouldn’t use it inside. We’ll see how it goes. I will let you know how it works.
Es | Apr 21, 2009 | Reply
Es: Hi My names Es and I have ANTS
Group: HI ES!!!
hehehe, i have INDOOR ANTS NELSON and i dont know what to do, raid not working… I NEED HELP BEFORE I GO MADDDDDDDDDDDD
THANKS
Melissa | Apr 23, 2009 | Reply
I also have indoor ants. I have tried vinagar, lemon juice and even cinnamon around the outside of the house. I think the ant hill is under my house and I can not get to it. At first they were just round my front and back door but now they found the kitchen. No matter how clean I seem to keep it they are not going away. I do new treatments of vinagar or lemon juice daily. Please someone help me!! I would try the grits but I can not get to the mound so should I just put some grits outside my front and back door?
oh yeah today I am trying baby powder..
Thank you so much for any help that you can give.
Melissa
Angela | Apr 25, 2009 | Reply
I’ve used comet/ajax to form a barrier around my camp site. If you have animals, you can use vaseline as a barrier. You can either plug up the hole of entry or form a barrier around where you think they’re coming from so they don’t get in. The ants won’t cross either method.
Bobby | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
I don’t have any ants in my home yet,but I’ve noticed several hills outside my back door. I read the article about using instant grits around the hills;so I’m tring that right now. I let you know how it worked. It’s supposed to take up to 48 hours for the grits to completely elemonate the colonies. I’ll see what happens.
Nancy | Apr 27, 2009 | Reply
People are asking what grits is – other countries don’t have grits, ie. – Canada, New Zealand, Austrailia.
Do you have cornmeal or polenta – it’s the very same thing.
Hope this helps.
Ant Crazy in Texas | Apr 27, 2009 | Reply
I have ants that are crawling on my fence and then up the side of my house and then around the roofline. Without knowing where the mound is, how can I get rid of these pests?!?!? I dont want them to start eating my house!!
HELP!!!!
Nelson Doyle | Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
Hi Ant Crazy in Texas -
Using grits in performs best if you can locate the ant mound, but if you cannot, then just locate where the ant trails converge and pour a couple of small piles near and around it. It is quite possible that there are more than one entrance and these ants will pickup and return to possibly different mounds. This could eliminate more than one colony or devastate a major single colony from more than one direction.
Just be sure not to feed to ducks, doves, geese or pigeons, because it can kill them, if they eat enough of it.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
Kim | Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
As a solution for some of the readers here, try using Terro for indoor ant problems. You can buy it at home improvement stores, Walmart, lots of places. I think it’s just Borax in a super sweet syrup. Mine came in a little bottle inside a box, and I just put a few drops or a streak of it where I see ants coming in the house, like by a baseboard or near the wall on my kitchen countertop. It’s safe for people and pets. The ants discover it, then they sit around and drink it up for a day or so, then they take it back to the colony and pass it around to all their friends and their queen, then they all die. It takes a couple days to work, but you get them at their source this way. If God didn’t want us to be able to kill the annoying little things, He wouldn’t have given us Terro. BTW, sorry if this posts twice — looks like it didn’t make it the first time.
Eric | Apr 29, 2009 | Reply
For those who can’t get instant grits in the area you live there is always amazon.com. It might cost alittle but you get the benfit of a non toxic solution and the bonus of extra grits for a southern style breakfest. Just dont over cook them :-p
Y’all have a good day.
From grits and gravy-ville,Georgia
Karen | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
Gee, who would have thought? Although a Yankee, I love my grits so I have plenty on hand!
Will the grits hurt ant eating birds like the common flicker?
Nelson Doyle | May 1, 2009 | Reply
Hi Karen -
That is a good question, but I do not have an answer to it. I know that it can kill ducks, because my neighbor’s duck died after eating on a pile of grits that he was using in his yard. It was quite sad, but now we know.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
mann | May 1, 2009 | Reply
eBay has grits. lol
Kim B. | May 1, 2009 | Reply
I’m really grateful for this article! I HATE ants, and have been researching organic lawncare and weeding alternatives this week… My husband and I decided to adopt a scorched earth policy for the ants, however, because the colonies we inherited from the previous homeowner are massive! Grits it is instead! We use cinnamon indoors, but will try lemon and vinegar… Much cheaper. Does anyone know if corn gluten meal will kill ants?
Rhonda T | May 3, 2009 | Reply
I was very grateful to hear of the grits solution to what is a very bad fire ant problem in my back yard. As soon as I get rid of one mound they pop up in another area. I tried the grits yesterday on three rather sizable mounds that popped up after the last rain about 2 days ago. I did not doctored them, because we have 13 baby chicks and a baby duck. We had already placed large boxes over the mounds to keep the chicks safely out of the them, so I decided to give the grits a chance since I wound not have to worry about the babies eating grits on the protected mounds. Well it rained last night. I was so excited to try the grits it never occurred to me to check the weather. Well this morning when I went out to let the chicks out for the day. I stopped to check the mounds and much to my surprise it appears the grits have time to work, they was no ant activity on any of the three mounds. However I am very sad to report that 1 mound also included 4 dead rather large earthworms. I am as assuming they suffered the same fate as the ants. So I am not feeling very happy at the moment. It does work, but I am feeling a little unhappy about my earthworm loss, has anyone else ever seen this happen?
Jennifer | May 3, 2009 | Reply
If the earthworm was in the ant bed, then it was probably already dead from the ants. Ants do kill worms.
I can’t wait to try the grits. Its been raining a lot here, so I will have to wait. But I have got to try something in my veggie garden soon.
Nelson Doyle | May 3, 2009 | Reply
Hi Rhonda T -
I do not believe that the instant grits would have killed the earthworms, because earthworms can eat just about anything organic. Ants can kill earthworms and sometimes after a rain some earthworms do die as they migrate over the earth to mate. I usually always find a couple of dozen earthworms dead in my yard and on my driveway after a rainy day.
Just like with practically anything there are things that just isn’t known in the beginning until something different has happened using the product. Medications that we use are riddled with unknown complications and side-effects that are unknown until they are discovered after using it. When something new happens, and then the manufacturer will report such finds to the public or re-call the product if the new side-effects are serious enough.
I really do not believe that the earthworms were killed by the grits, but then again I am not 100%.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
Rhonda T | May 4, 2009 | Reply
I believe you may be right about the natural causes for the earthworms, we have had quite a bit of rain in a short time and today while I was working around the compost pile I noticed a couple more dead earthworms and there were no grits in the area. I have decided to give the grits another try in a flower bed where I have discovered another ant bed. I will keep watch but after my observations today and your kind assurances, I feel the benefits by far outweigh the risk to the earthworms. I appreciate your time and your always helpful suggestions. For someone like me who is a city transplant, with more questions than knowledge your articles are a blessing.
Have a great day.
CFN | May 6, 2009 | Reply
Dear Nelson,
Thank you and all for this article, we have used instant grits and cream of wheat successfully for several years now, but I have to tell you about my Grand folks. Both were virtually full blooded Cherokee and dedicated hot pepper freaks, she had a well established perimeter of both Cayenne and scotch bonnet (habanjero) peppers planted around their house.
This was spaced about 3 feet from the house which was ancient and rickety when I was a kid about 60 years ago.
Nothing came into that house unless it was one of their many dogs ( which always stayed on the walk through the bushes ) or on 2 feet. Drawbacks, many birds love hot peppers, sometimes bird dodo was a problem, you NEVER touched your eyes or face without washing your hands…And may the Good Lord have mercy on the unfortunate individual who occasionally made the mistake of peeing in the bushes.
SW | May 8, 2009 | Reply
Malto-Meal can be used in place of grits.
silverthimble | May 9, 2009 | Reply
Finding the grits solution made me dash to the cupboard and pour the left over Cream of Wheat into the massive ant colony I saw today. The ant colony had the larvae eggs under the soil surface and the ants were just in droves, crawling over the curb and under plantings that I do not want to disturb now (my prized lily plant which hasn’t formed flower buds yet.) Then I had to wonder, is Cream of Wheat the same as grits? So, reading further on I am happy to see that someone else had tried Cream of Wheat with success. Thank you Nelson for posting your garden tip. Isn’t the internet a wonderful thing!
Olivia | May 9, 2009 | Reply
Nelson Doyle,
I was wondering if I could use grits around garden. Ants are eating my strawberries! I don’t know where their colony is, though. Can I just Sprinkle grits in and around my garden? Will it hurt my plants?
In Christ,
Olivia
Nelson Doyle | May 9, 2009 | Reply
Hi Olivia -
The instant grits have not ever cause any of my plants to die or get sick. Yes, I have used instant grits in my garden and around my shrubs…killing the ants and not the plants.
Remember, some ants are good to keep around, because they do dispose of natures trash left behind by other prey or natural causes. Killing all of the ants could have reverse fortunes for gardens and healthy lawns. It is only the massive ant invasions that need to be dealt with decisively and the Instant grits or cream-of-wheat solution will do the trick.
Your Brother In Christ,
Nelson Doyle
Vickie | May 16, 2009 | Reply
Hi Mr. Doyle I have enjoyed reading ways to get rid of ants. We have a lot of fire ants in my yard. My grandson is constantly getting bit when playing outside. Someone from work told me yesterday to mix yeast and jelly, any type grape, stawberry, etc. roll it into balls and put it around the mounds and the ants would take it to the queen and she and the colony would die. Do you think this will work? I bought it today to try. Thanks bunches!!
Skip_G | May 18, 2009 | Reply
If the expanding grits will kill ducks or geese, then it stands to reason that they will also kill other birds. So if you spread this instant grit mixture all over your lawn, you may be eliminating ants, with the good ‘ole law of unintended consequences causing a bunch of dead birds in your neighborhood.
Chris | May 19, 2009 | Reply
Cannot work (and doesnt)
ants do not ingest solid foods. Instead they feed it to the pupa stage ants. These eggs/pupa then digest and regurgitate.
Sorry charlie, but this wont/cant work.
Jo | May 30, 2009 | Reply
Have used Terro and it does kill the ants. The best stuff I’ve used
Olivia | Jun 13, 2009 | Reply
Thanks a lot! I’ve lost so many strawberries! (I actually haven’t eaten even one!)I hope this will work!
In Christ,
Olivia
Rita from N.H. | Jun 18, 2009 | Reply
thanks for the tips I have mounds of ant hills on my lawn:( can’t wait to try it..as for indoor ants I have tried cucumber peelings they don’t like the bitter and they stay away..Just leave them around the area where they are and they go bye bye..
God Bless, Rita
Richard | Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
I don’t know if anyone mentioned or tried this but perhaps instant potato flakes would work? Its the same theory, expand when water is added. I am so excited to try the grits option. My lawn is just infested. I sprayed killer yesterday and the mounds were back this morning. Something has got to give. Turn over some dirt and these little brown ants com crawling out by the hubdreds. I will try both and report back in a few days.
Sarah | Jun 28, 2009 | Reply
You can use Cream of Wheat too – same thing as the grits! I learned this from a Organic Pest Control Employee
Bruce | Jun 29, 2009 | Reply
I bought instant grits. My ants have never been happier! I need something that works.
Richard | Jul 8, 2009 | Reply
It would appear the grits do in fact work as my ant activity has severly decreased. I probably went overboard as I applied fresh grits twice a day. Its essential to reapply at least once a day due to the morning dew. I’ve spent all kinds of $$$ on bug killer over the last couple of years and finally get some success with a simple $1.25 box of grits. Thanks for the information!
Nelson Doyle | Jul 9, 2009 | Reply
Maybe, I should buy some stock into companies that manufacturer instant grits and other instant corn, wheat or potato products, just in case this treatment becomes more widely known about and more importantly, used!
I am happy to see that this ant killer work so well for most of you.
Thanks Richard, for the excellent point that you made about the morning dew. That totally slipped my mind when I wrote this piece. This treatment had always worked fast for me in the past, usually within 24 hours on a dry day and night.
God Bless,
Nelson Doyle
Tony Sachs | Jul 29, 2009 | Reply
This definitely works.
David | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Tried it and as Bruce wrote an June 29th the ants couldn’t be any happier. Didn’t work. In fact the only thing it accomplished was a bathing pool for honey bees. A weird site. Back to the drawing board…..
f | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Havent tried this yet, but one solution i found elsewhere is boric acid+ syrup
dont know why it doesnt work super well. Its more fun to get a torch and roast them over say put grits though.
Ants dont have much water in them though. I doubt that little tiny flake expands that much though. I think it annoyes them, they go away. Which also works but its not killing them. If boric acid+sugar doesnt work, going to try it with borax, then grits
yek | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
A colony of ant is inside my car.. so i was thinking of applying grit but it will kill the ant which i have to clean up the body aftermath. Any suggestion which can get rid of ant without killing them??