If you want to be a little more aggressive without being toxic, try this. Ants are looking for two things: sugar (carbs) and protein (fat). You can bait them with something they love, but that ultimately sends them home.
Mix a tablespoon of borax (a natural laundry powder) with half a cup of sugar and a little warm water. Soak a cotton ball in this mixture and place it in a shallow lid (like a bottle cap). Put it near the ant trail, but out of reach of pets and kids.
6 Simple Ways to Get Rid of Ants and Keep Them Out
The ants will carry this “sweet poison” back to their nest. It’s like giving them a parting gift they take with them. Within a few days, the colony decides your house is a cursed location and stops visiting.
Don’t use this if you have curious toddlers or dogs. In that case, just stick with vinegar and physical barriers. Safety first, even with our tiny trespassers.