In this article, we will consider whether you can or can’t vacuum ants.

Ants invasions are quite often these days, and while they are not only annoying, they can also do damage to your house by burrowing through wood and furniture. This can sometimes lead to serious problems, that can’t be fixed without hiring specialists.

Many people choose an easier route which is vacuuming the ants – This solution certainly isn’t perfect but it has its own pros and cons. In this article, we will explain what’s the best way to go about it and whether you even should consider it.

One thing to keep in mind is that ants are seeking something in your house, therefore, you may want to find the root of this problem. Consider what might be the issue, even if you get the ants of your house quickly.

Without further ado, let’s get into the proper part of the article.

Can you vacuum ants?

A quick answer to this question would be that – Yes, you can vacuum ants, however, in some instances it’s just pointless. Often this, combined with other methods can be enough to get rid of those insects, although, if there are too many of them, it would be better to find other solutions.

One great benefit of vacuuming ants is that it’s an eco-friendly way to deal with these insects. You don’t need to deal with any chemicals which not only is less damaging to the colony but also saves your floors from permanent damage.

Do ants die when you vacuum them?

Ants, thanks to their physical properties, will most likely survive vacuuming. Their bodies are very lightweight, making the contact with the vacuum less harmful than you could expect. Some may die due to suffocation with dust, however, that’s only after a couple of minutes inside the vacuum.

Depending on the construction of the vacuum, the ants may not die instantly, therefore, proper disposal of them is necessary. We will cover this aspect in the next section, so we highly recommend taking a look at the instructions.

How to vacuum ants?

How do you actually go about vacuuming ants? The fact is, that a long line of ants may seem rather tempting and easy to vacuum. Honestly, the whole process is rather easy and straightforward. The one important thing to keep in mind is the disposal of the ants – This step will be different for each vacuum.

You should also keep in mind, that a large number of ants shouldn’t be vacuumed. In this case, we would recommend using chemicals or calling the specialist. In addition, you need to know, that you shouldn’t use both chemicals and vacuum. This can do serious damage to the vacuum.

To vacuum the ants, you should:

1. Locate the area with the most amount of ants. This step includes finding their way of entrance, so you can vacuum them in this direction.
2. Make sure, that the dust bag of the vacuum can be easily replaced, or removed. In the case of the vacuums with dust cups, you will have to empty them and wash them thoroughly after vacuuming the ants.
3. Start vacuuming the ants starting with the most occupied area. Then start vacuuming in the direction of their entrance.
4. When all, or the majority of ants are gone, you should go ahead and dispose of them. For the vacuums with replaceable vacuum bags, you simply throw them out and get a new one. If you would like to save the bag, you can put it outside, and fill it with a natural repellant such as peppermint, cinnamon, etc. For the vacuums with a dust cup, you can do the same, and wash the dust cup thoroughly.

By following those steps, the whole process should be quick and easy. Getting some natural repellents such as peppermint or cinnamon will help you anyways, as there can be some ants left in the house. Placing those repellants in strategic areas should help with the problem.

Frequently asked questions

Can ants crawl back out of a vacuum?

The ants most likely won’t crawl out of the vacuum, and they will die due to the suffocation with dust. This may take some time, however, the best way to get rid of them is to dispose of them right after vacuuming. This will ensure, that no such thing happens.

What kills ants instantly?

Typically, white vinegar is used to deal with ants, as the majority of people already own it, and it’s much more safe compared to harsh chemicals. White vinegar mixed 50/50 with water should take care of the problem – You simply wipe them with the solution.

What do ants hate the most?

There are many scents that naturally repel ants. As we mentioned earlier, peppermint and cinnamon is a good place to start. If you don’t own any of those, you could also try lavender, eucalyptus, and garlic. All of those can be used to your advantage.

Why are there ants in my room if there is no food?

There could be many reasons why ants are invading your house – One of the most common, besides the food, is seeking any moisture. Ants also need water to survive, especially on hot days, and when they can’t find any, they may pay you a visit. Depending on your region, this may be a temporary thing or a mission for specialists.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can vacuum ants, and typically, it’s a quick and easy way to deal with them. The only problem is disposing of them, as depending on the vacuum, the process will look a little different each time. You should also know, that vacuuming ants may not be a good idea if there are too many of them.

Vacuuming ants most likely won’t kill them, however, they might get suffocated from the dust after a couple of minutes. In order to get some additional help, we highly recommend using natural ants repellents such as peppermint or cinnamon and advise against harsh chemicals.

We hope, that after reading this article, you will no longer have any problems with ants.