That feeling of seeing an ant parade when you open your microwave is definitely gross to say the least. Not only is it unpleasant to find ants in your microwave, it is also a sign that there may be an ant colony inside your kitchen. Here’s why you have an ant parade on your microwave and how you can get rid of these tiny creatures.
Why Are There Ants In Your Microwave?
You’ve probably asked this question to yourself but why do ants like your microwave? There may be several reasons for this. They are listed below:
Tiny Food Crumbs
When you’re reheating your food, you may leave one or two tiny crumbs behind, whether it is a pastry or a burrito. It may seem like the tiniest crumb ever but think about it, it could be a feast for the ants. Whatever it is, some popcorn, a tiny crust of your pizza, some cheese, whatever you spill or leave behind, no matter how small, could be a feast for ants.
Having a strong sense of smell, these tiny creatures get attracted to the tiniest crumb of food and make way to your microwave and can you blame them?
Warm environment
Ants are cold-blooded creatures unlike humans and enjoy warm environments. The inside of a microwave obviously remains heated for a while even after it has been turned off and these are the kind of environment that ants thrive in. The other parts of your kitchen are cooler than the inside of the microwave so that makes it naturally a great place for them to just hang out.
This can be even more appealing to ants during the winter.
Sugar Rush
Ants love sugar. Most of the time, we store sweet drinks near a microwave and may have spilled a tiny bit or even have heated some brownies in the microwave itself. This is highly attractive to ants and they will rush towards it for some sugar.
This will be a big mission for the ants and be priority number one.
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How do I get rid of ants in the microwave?
So now that we have established why there are ants in your microwave in the first place. Let’s take a look at some ways you can get rid of them.
Thorough Cleaning
Firstly, always clean your microwave after you see ants in them. Unplug it first and give it a thorough cleaning with warm and soapy water. Not only will this remove the food residues that have been attracting the ants, it will also remove the ant trails.
Don’t just clean inside the microwave. Make sure you also give a scrub down to the turntable, door frame, and crevices where there may be some leftover crumbs.
After you’ve cleaned everything, make sure you dry it with a paper towel and remove moisture completely.
DIY Ant Bait of Baking Soda and Sugar
For a natural way of getting rid of ants, how about making a DIY ant bait? A combination of baking soda and sugar might be the way to go.
Since ants are drawn to sweet foods, this bait will attract the ants. The baking soda, however, will act fatal for the ants by disrupting their internal system.
Here’s how you can create this DIY ant bait:
- Step 1: Mix equal parts of sugar and baking soda in a small bowl.
- Step 2: Keep a small amount of the mixture you just made on a microwave plate.
- Step 3: The bait is meant for the ants, not you. Make sure you place it away from where you normally place your food. Don’t use the plate for your food.
- Step 4: Leave the plate in the microwave overnight. This normally works like a charm.
- Step 5: Discard the plate.
Natural Method Using Vinegar:
Here’s a natural common household ingredient you can get rid of ants, vinegar.
Since ants have a strong aversion to the smell of vinegar, wiping down the interior of your microwave with it could be a natural way of repelling them from entering the microwave altogether.
Here’s how you can use vinegar as an ant repellent:
- Step 1: Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle.
- Step 2: Lightly spray the interior of the microwave with the vinegar solution.
- Step 3: Let the spray air dry completely before using your microwave.
Since the scent will eventually fade, make sure you do this every few days. In place of vinegar, you can also use lemon juice.
FAQs
How do I get rid of ants in my oven?
There are several ways of getting rid of ants in the over. Cleaning the microwave thoroughly with soapy water, wiping the interior with a vinegar solution, using a baking soda and sugar bait trap are all effective measures.
How can I stop ants coming into my kitchen?
Wiping down the microwave after every use, sealing any cracks or small openings around the microwave, and storing food in airtight containers can help in stopping ants coming into your kitchen.
Are ants in my microwave a bad thing?
Yes, an ant infestation can be unsanitary and spread bacteria.
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