How To Keep Ants Away - Natural Tips

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:49

In spring, summer and autumn, the insect world is alive and well. You might not mind that much if you picnic in a suitable area, but if an infestation does occur in your home, you will want to eliminate the problem quickly. Finally, it is not very hygienic to have little critters inside. In the garden, they also do damage - build mounds, make their way between plants and invade the garden shed and garage. So what can you do to get rid of this hassle without using harsh chemicals for the environment? Find out in the text below how to keep ants and their colonies away from your home!

Get rid of ants without harming them - effective and insect-friendly methods

The first step in making the ants find another home is to apply a comprehensive elimination strategy. This includes cleaning, deterrence, and repellency.

Combination of glass cleaner and liquid detergent

Combine a spray glass cleaner with liquid detergent or dish soap to deter ants from entering your home. Indeed, the principle of action of this solution is that it removes the trace of scented pheromones that insects leave behind when they walk. So mix and spray on the areas where ants seem to congregate or from where they get inside. Wipe down areas after spraying, leaving a slight residue.

Black pepper or cayenne pepper

Since ants find the smell of pepper irritating, you can try the black or red variety as a natural and safe deterrent. Evidence suggests that sprinkling ground pepper around baseboards and behind appliances can help keep ants away.

Peppermint essential oil

Some plants are natural insect repellants that can be very effective in repelling ants and other insects, such as mosquitoes for example. For this purpose, mix 10 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil with 2 cups of water. Spray the mixture around baseboards and windows in your home. Leave to dry. Warning: Like most essential oils, keep this one out of the reach of pets, especially cats, which can become very sick if exposed to it.

Tea tree essential oil

In fact, tea tree oil repels ants as well. You just need to mix 5-10 drops with 2 cups of water and use as a spray. However, you can soak cotton balls and place them around your house where you have seen critters.

White vinegar

Compel ants to leave your environment using a 50-50 vinegar and water solution. Idea: If you have a problem with pests, just try using diluted vinegar to clean hard surfaces, including floors and counters, all over the house. This is because ants can smell vinegar after it dries, but most people don't notice the smell for long.

coffee grounds

This repellent requires you to brew coffee first. Brewed coffee grounds have been found to repel ants. Try sprinkling it on sheets of paper, and leaving them near areas that attract critters, such as pet bowls, kitchen cabinets, and plants. You can also place on window sills. Also, coffee grounds can lose their potency when dry, so be sure to change them often.

Chalk

One of the home remedies to get rid of ants is to use chalk. The latter contains calcium carbonate which helps to ward off ants. So scatter chalk powder in the areas that are the entry points for ants or draw a chalk line in front of the front door. Also, be sure to line the line in a way that is beyond the reach of any child in the house.

Citrus

Squeeze the juice from a lemon or orange, or place zest in the places where ants enter. You can also wash your floors with water with a little citrus juice added. The ants apparently don't like the smell, they will stay away.

Salt

Table salt is one of the best and cheapest ways to naturally get rid of ants once and for all. Sprinkling it near the nooks and crannies where insects enter the house will help repel them. All you need to do is boil the water and add a large amount of salt to it, stirring until it dissolves. Pour the resulting liquid into a sprayer and spray on the places where you think ants tend to enter and invade your home.

How to keep ants away naturally and prevent a second infestation - helpful tips

• Protect Your Planters - Check your plants for swarms of ants, which could indicate the existence of nests under the ground. Change the soil on any planters that appear to be infested. Prevent insects from settling in your pots by surrounding them with citrus peel.
• Keep Outdoors Outdoors - Regularly clean your yard of debris. Cut back any vines or vegetation that touches or leans on the exterior walls of your home and windows. These can make it easier for ants to get inside.
• Don't Feed the Critters - Eliminate the Problem Before it Starts. You can do this by making sure that no food source is available for the pests. This will involve keeping food tightly closed in glass or plastic containers. Keep in mind that ants are attracted to sugary and starchy products like sugar, honey, and cornmeal.
• Determine How They Get In - It can be next to impossible to seal every nook and cranny, but check your home for cracks in walls and holes near floors and radiators, however. You can fill them up or treat them with a repellant.