We can all agree: a trail of ants snaking up the kitchen walls and cupboards is downright horrific.
The sight is so unsettling, in fact, that it leads some homeowners to look for unconventional products in the kitchen to kill off these invasive insects for good — such as cornmeal, for example.
But does it really work? Let’s investigate below.
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What Exactly Is Cornmeal?
As its name implies, cornmeal is a special type of flour (or meal) made of dried and ground corn kernels. Cornmeal takes a powder form with a varying consistency; in some cases, it can be finely pulverized and, in others, a coarse grain.
Cornmeal can be eaten on its own or used as a primary ingredient for some of our favorite baked goods, such as cornbread and corn muffins. This type of grain is an excellent source of dietary fiber, iron, and phosphorus.
Additionally, cornmeal is often cited as a notable alternative to wheat flour in baked treats with either smooth or crunchy textures. The slightly gritty texture and wholesome corn flavor make it a popular ingredient.
The Cornmeal Myth
You may have already read a lot of claims on the effectiveness of cornmeal as a potent ant killer. These reports suggest that ants are very much attracted to the cornmeal, and they ingest it despite being incapable of digesting its grains.
This gristle is said to work to kill the insects over a period of time, lending the theory a bit of validity. Some claims even go so far as to assert that cornmeal inside an ant’s digestive system will cause the insect to physically explode.
We hate to burst your bubble (and that’s the only thing exploding here), but these rumors are simply not true. In reality, cornmeal does not react this way when ingested by ants. This grain is just plain food to these insects — not much different from the usual diet of an ant — and spreading cornmeal across the corners of your home will only worsen your ant infestation.
Ants are attracted to cornmeal because it contains carbohydrates, an important energy source. The grains provide nourishment that fuels the ants’ activities. While indigestible particles may cause some discomfort, they certainly won’t lead to exploding ants. Claims of cornmeal’s potency as an ant killer are an unfounded myth.
Using Cornmeal as Part of the Bait
If you plan on using cornmeal to get rid of ants, it is better used as a part of a baiting treatment. This means mixing your cornmeal with a proven ant killer such as boric acid.
Your ant bait solution should be nine parts cornmeal and one part boric acid. Add an ample amount of soybean oil — enough to yield a paste-like solution. You can also use peanut butter or honey as an alternative to soybean oil, which will help to lure the ants even more due to its attractive smell.
You may be wondering why the active ingredient, boric acid, is only coming in at about one-tenth of the solution. This is to ensure that the bait’s killing mechanism is slow enough to provide time for the workers to spread the chemical throughout the colony.
Baiting Tips
Place the ant bait solution along gaps, crevices, and identified insect entry points on your property. It would be advantageous if you have already spotted ant nesting grounds in your garden; this way, you can place the bait near any sites where you know the ants will congregate. This will increase the chances of ant workers trampling through your baiting system.
When ant colony workers encounter the bait solution, they pick it up and carry it back to their nest. At this point, the workers feed it unknowingly to their larvae — which in turn chew up the bait and regurgitate liquid food. The liquid food regurgitated by the larvae — as well as the workers — is then consumed by the queen ant and the rest of the colony members. The slow-acting boric acid progressively weakens and kills them.
Baiting around the perimeter of your home targets foraging worker ants before they can enter your living spaces. Pair baiting with sealing cracks and entry points to discourage future ant invasions.
Keep in mind that different types of ants may require different pest control techniques. For example, the best method for getting rid of flying ants doesn’t work as well when dealing with carpenter ants getting into your dishwasher.
Does Cornmeal Deter Ants?
While cornmeal won’t explode ants, some claim that sprinkling a perimeter of cornmeal around your home acts as a deterrent against ants crossing into your house. Unfortunately, this theory also appears to be unfounded.
Rather than repelling ants, the cornmeal attracts them as a food source. Worker ants readily cross over cornmeal trails to follow scent trails into your home. Any deterrent effect would be minimal at best.
If you want to use cornmeal around your home’s exterior, combine it with an insecticidal bait like diatomaceous earth. This abrasive powder can cut into ants’ exoskeletons and gradually kill them after it’s ingested.
Ant Prevention Tips
Here are a few of my best tips for preventing ants before they become a problem in your home:
- Apply pesticide sprays or granules around the perimeter of your home for added protection. Products with bifenthrin as the active ingredient provide long-lasting control.
- Eliminate moisture sources like leaks and standing water.
- Keep counters and floors clean and free of crumbs. Sweep and mop regularly.
- Seal cracks and crevices where ants may enter. Caulk around windows, doors, pipes, and the foundation.
- Store food in sealed containers to keep ants away from sugary and greasy substances.
Read Also: What should you do to remove ant hills?
So, Is Cornmeal an Effective Ant Killer?
While plain cornmeal does not kill ants, it can be incorporated into baits as an attractive food source that carries an active insecticidal ingredient back to the rest of the colony. The key is pairing it with an ant killer like boric acid or diatomaceous earth.
If your ant problem is outdoors, you may also want to consider such creative options as enlisting natural predators or plants that repel insects such as ants.
Cornmeal on its own will not repel or eliminate ants. For best results, use ant baits along with preventative measures like sealing cracks, eliminating moisture sources, and keeping a clean home. Consider contacting a pest control professional if you have a sizable ant problem.
If you found this article helpful, I recommend also giving our guide about using baking soda as an ant killer a read as well.
FAQs About Cornmeal and Ants
Does cornmeal deter ants?
No, cornmeal does not deter or repel ants. It actually attracts them as a food source.
Will cornmeal kill ants?
Plain cornmeal will not kill ants. It does not contain any insecticidal properties and is considered food by ants.
How do you use cornmeal to get rid of ants?
Mix cornmeal with an active ant killer like boric acid or diatomaceous earth. Use this mixture as bait to be carried back and shared with the rest of the colony. The active ingredient will kill them gradually.
What scent repels ants naturally?
Strong scents from oils like peppermint, tea tree, and lemongrass can deter ants. However, these oils quickly diffuse and lose potency. They are not a substitute for proper ant baiting and prevention.
What home remedy kills ants instantly?
There is no truly instant home remedy. Commercial ant insecticides are the fastest way to kill ants on contact, but baits provide better long-term control by destroying the entire colony.
