Safety: Borax is harmful if swallowed. Keep the mixture and bait stations away from children and pets, avoid contact with eyes, and do not place the bait on food-preparation surfaces. Clearly label any stored mixture.
Ingredients
½
cup
Granulated Sugar
2
tsp
Borax
1 ½
cups
Warm Water
(12 fl oz)
several
Cotton Balls
several
Shallow Lids or Small Containers
Directions
1
Stir the sugar (½ cup) and borax (2 tsp) together in a clearly labeled container.
2
Add the warm water (1 ½ cups) and stir until the sugar (½ cup) and borax (2 tsp) are completely dissolved. Let the mixture cool before placing it.
3
Soak several cotton balls (several) in the mixture and place them in shallow lids or small containers (several).
4
Set the bait stations near active ant trails, but out of reach of children and pets. Do not disturb the ants as they carry the bait back to the colony.
5
Check the stations daily. Add more mixture if they dry out, and replace dirty cotton balls (several) as needed. Remove and discard the bait stations once ant activity has stopped.
Extra Notes
This is a slow-acting bait rather than a contact spray. You may see more ants around the station at first; that activity allows them to carry the mixture back to the colony.
Do not increase the amount of borax. A mixture that kills ants too quickly may prevent them from carrying the bait back to the colony.