How to Make an Ant Trap with Peanut Butter and Borax
Ever get those little ants marching across your kitchen counter like they own the place? I know I have!
In this video, I demonstrate a simple DIY ant-trap idea using peanut butter, borax, and a plastic bottle cap. The idea is to attract the ants with bait and use a borax-based product to help control the colony.
I've tried this approach a couple of times, and it seemed to make the ants disappear after a few days. Of course, results can vary depending on the type of ant, the size of the colony, and where they're getting into your house.
What You'll Need
Peanut butter
A small container or plastic bottle cap
A small mixing tool
How the Idea Works
Ants search for food and carry it back to their colony. Baits work by attracting foraging ants, which can then transfer the bait to other members of the colony.
The important part is choosing a bait formulated for the ants you're dealing with and following its label directions. Different species are attracted to different foods, so one bait won't necessarily work for every ant problem.
A Few Tips for Dealing with Ants
Find their entry point. Watch where the ants are traveling and look for gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and foundations.
Remove competing food sources. Wipe up crumbs and spills, seal food containers, and keep counters clean.
Follow the trail. Understanding where ants are coming from can help you address the source rather than just the ants you see.
Be patient. Baits may take several days or longer to have a noticeable effect.
Keep safety in mind. Borax can be harmful if swallowed. Never leave homemade borax mixtures where children or pets can reach them. A commercially labeled ant bait station is generally a better choice in homes where accidental exposure is a concern.
What Is the Peanut Butter-to-Borax Ratio?
The right mixture depends on the type of ants you're dealing with. Some ants prefer sweet baits, while others are attracted to protein- and fat-based foods like peanut butter.
Typical guidance for homemade borax-based baits should be roughly 5–10% borax by weight. However, homemade mixtures can be inconsistent, and too much active ingredient may make bait less attractive to ants. Mix it up well.
The Bottom Line
This video shows a simple household DIY experiment for dealing with ants. If you're fighting a persistent infestation, identifying the ant species and using an appropriate, labeled bait will give you a better chance of getting the problem under control.
And remember: just because something uses common household ingredients doesn't automatically make it harmless. Keep pest-control products away from kids and pets!
Thanks for watching, and good luck reclaiming your kitchen from those tiny invaders.
— BigNate84
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