Many people have reported problems with ants infesting their homes, and they’ve often wondered how to get rid of them. Lysol is a common answer to this question, as many people recommend it without ever trying it. Lysol is generally known as a substance that will kill anything, so people naturally deduce that it will kill ants, as well. So, does Lysol kill ants?
Lysol kills ants. Most chemical substances, including Lysol, are dangerous for ants (including soap and water). This isn’t the best way to kill ants, though, as Lysol’s been found to have a harmful effect on people, so it might be best to opt for other options.
Lysol definitely does kill ants, as they’re vulnerable to most chemical compounds that aren’t usually found in nature. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at Lysol’s use when dealing with an ant infestation. Today, we’ll be providing you with answers to questions like does Lysol kill ants, how does Lysol kill ants, why cleaning keeps ants away, and why Lysol isn’t the best repellent for ants?
Let’s get started!
Does Lysol Kill Ants?
Yes, ants are vulnerable to Lysol and it will definitely kill them.
However, this won’t completely solve the ant infestation you’re witnessing, as you need to find the way they’re getting in and seal it if you want to keep them away from your home.
If the ants are already in the house, it will be even more difficult, because now you have to find the nest and fight the queen. This can be done directly or indirectly. However, Lysol is not an effective remedy here.
How Does Lysol Kill Ants?
Despite the amazing abilities that ants have, they’re not developed in defense. Ants are very vulnerable to many chemical compounds that can be found in every household.
Firstly, we need to understand that everything (really everything, even water) is poisonous if too much of it is consumed. Taking that into account, it’s logical that creatures that have little resilience to chemicals are going to be very vulnerable to products like Lysol. Ants are so vulnerable to chemical compounds, in fact, that you can kill them by using soap water or water mixed with dish detergent.
Yes, the same mixture that’s used for blowing balloons can kill ants. They’re very weak to this, and even though they may sometimes survive the stomping of a boot, they can’t survive Lysol and soap water. However, not all insects are so vulnerable.
The active ingredient in Lysol is Chloroxylenol (or PCMX) which is used mainly for disinfection. The reactive chemical forms hydrogen bonds with proteins, which leads to disruption of enzyme functions and membrane integrity.
Why Cleaning Keeps Ants Away (a Bit)?
The most effective way to keep ants away is to clean, actually. Lysol may kill them, but that’s not going to keep them away for a long time.
Ants work in a simple way – they send a scout (or several scouts) to take a look at their surroundings. These scouts leave pheromones and other ants follow them. If ants can’t find these pheromones, then they can’t orientate, so the best way to keep them away is to clean your house.
Wiping the floors with a cleaning solution will surely get your house rid of these pheromones, and you’ll be able to move freely as ants won’t find any pheromones to follow.
Ants are mostly attracted to food, so keeping your house clean is also going to decrease their interest in an invasion.
You should also investigate and find the entry point the ants are using to get into your house. You can use several solutions to block that gateway, or poison it.
It’s important to permanently get rid of ants, as they’ll just keep coming back if you don’t – you need to plug the holes they’re using to get into your house.
You’d prefer to use a vacuum cleaner? This is for you: Can Ants Get Out Of Vacuum Cleaner?
Or do you want to chalk the house? Why can’t ants walk on chalk or ink?
Why Lysol Isn’t the Best Repellent for Ants?
Safety is always first, and we should note that Lysol can be dangerous for humans.
Lysol contains denatured ethanol. If you breathe too much Lysol in, you will start suffering from lung irritation. However, you would need to inhale incredibly large amounts of Lysol to actually cause substantial long-term damage.
This damage can easily occur in pets (especially cats). The active ingredient is highly toxic to them and must never be used in their environment.
Secondly, Lysol isn’t perfectly effective. There are many other solutions used for killing ants (primarily bug sprays) that are much more effective. This means that you can use less of this spray to kill more bugs than with Lysol. That’s logical, as Lysol’s primary purpose isn’t to kill insects, it’s just another thing you can use it for. We’d recommend purchasing a bug spray.
Thirdly, Lysol is more expensive than bug sprays. It makes no sense to use Lysol for killing ants – it’s less effective than bug sprays, yet you have to pay more money for it than for actual ant repellants. Lysol should only be used as a hands-on solution in case you don’t have anything else that’s close by. It’s definitely a useful solution, but killing insects is not exactly what it’s intended for.
Lysol should always be your plan B when it comes to getting rid of ants, and you should always opt for actual bug sprays.
