Pouring boiling water directly into ant nests is a 5p trick that can destroy the entire colony, including the queen, when repeated consistently over two days, according to an Instagram video by Melinda Martin.
How the 5p Boiling Water Trick Works
Melinda Martin demonstrated the method in a viral Instagram video, explaining that boiling water from a kettle is an effective, chemical-free way to kill ants. The average cost to boil a full kettle in the UK is around 5p, making it an affordable solution for gardeners. Martin advised pouring boiling water onto the nest multiple times—six to eight times per session—and poking holes in the nest after a few pours to ensure the water reaches the queen at the bottom.
"I'm going to show you my favourite at-home, easy, don't have to buy anything way to kill an ant pile," Martin said in the video. She added, "This method does work, but you have to be consistent, and you have to do it multiple times. I'm going to take this in, I'm going to refill it, and I'm probably going to do it six to eight times. I'm also going to poke holes in [the nest] after I do it a few times to make sure we get down to the bottom, where the queen is."
When to Use Boiling Water Safely
Boiling water should only be used on ant nests located in areas where nothing is growing, such as patios, driveways, or gaps in paving slabs. Pouring boiling water onto soil containing plants can kill vegetation and damage the garden ecosystem. Ants can become a nuisance when they build nests under plant roots or in high-traffic areas, attracting them to outdoor gatherings and increasing the risk of indoor infestations.
Alternative Methods for Ant Control
For those seeking additional ant control strategies, several home remedies can break scent trails or kill ants on contact. To destroy the chemical pheromone trails that ants use to guide the colony to food, a vinegar spray (equal parts white vinegar and water), soapy water (two tablespoons of dish soap per litre of water), or lemon juice (one part lemon juice to three parts water) can be effective. These solutions wipe away trails and, in the case of soapy water, break down ants' protective outer coating.
Setting bait is another highly effective method. A mixture of equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar lures ants with the sugar while the baking soda disrupts their digestive systems. Alternatively, small piles of cornmeal placed along ant trails will be carried back as food but cannot be digested, eventually killing the colony.
For immediate knockdown of visible ants or small nests, a spray of soapy water (a few drops of washing-up liquid mixed with water) kills ants on contact and removes scent trails. Boiling water remains the most direct chemical-free option for outdoor mounds.
Martin emphasised consistency: she recommends pouring boiling water over the nest several times daily for at least two consecutive days to ensure all ants, including the queen, are eliminated. This method, she says, "really works" when applied diligently.
