Having ants in the home can indeed be very annoying when they sting you on your legs and arms or irritate your pets. Further, these tiny beings can contaminate food, and lead to hygienic issues when they crawl through your kitchen, bathrooms, and other places.
As ants are constantly searching for food, protection, and water, your home can be an ideal nesting spot for them. So, if you are finding some natural ways to deter the ants, the chances are you’ve already come across these unwelcome insects around your place.
Getting rid of ants using natural ways is cost-effective but may require time and patience. Here are 8 natural ways to remove ants from your home:
Spray Lemon Juice
Lemon contains acidic oil D-limonene that disrupts pheromone trails, which ants use to navigate. Moreover, the strong smell of lemons acts as a natural repellent to ants. You can either use their peels directly at the target areas or make a spray.
For the DIY lemon spray, mix equal parts of lemon juice and water. Spray it around entry points, and hallways where you find ants. You should use it regularly every other day for the best results. Before spraying, make sure the areas are clean and do not have any food crumbs that may attract ants.
Use Peppermint
If you have ants in your bathroom and kitchen, peppermint oil is an effective remedy to keep them away. The strong smell of peppermint repels ants and insects. Pour a few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton wool pad and place it around areas where you usually spot them.
Although the smell of peppermint oil can be unpleasant to your senses, keeping them at places like doors, dustbins, or compost heaps will help keep these tiny invaders away.
Sprinkle Ground Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains a compound trans-cinnamaldehyde, which is quite effective in repelling the ants. Further, the ants find its smell unpleasant, effectively keeping them away from the places treated with cinnamon.
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Sprinkling ground cinnamon, especially in the kitchen, near windowsills, flower pots, tiny crevices, or doors, will redirect the ants. Similarly, placing cinnamon sticks at the entrances or using cinnamon essential oils are some other ways to keep ants away.
A Mixture of Salt & Water
Salt has dehydrating properties, which can be harmful to the ants. When ants come in contact with salt water, it dries out their exoskeleton. This reduces their ability to function normally. Hence they try to avoid areas where a mixture of salt and water is present.
Dissolve salt in a warm cup and pour the solution into a bottle. Spray the mixture over entry points like doors, cracks, or window sills. You can even soak a piece of cloth in a saltwater solution and use it to clean surfaces to prevent ants from coming.
Spread Cayenne Around the Infected Area
Cayenne, or black pepper, acts as a powerful repellant for ants due to the presence of compound capsaicin. In addition, ants cannot stand the strong and spicy scent of the cayenne. You can create a homemade, cost-effective spray by combining the cayenne with water.
Further, mix it with other natural repellants, like turmeric or cinnamon, to create a powerful impact. Spreading cayenne in infected areas will create a natural barrier to keep your home pest-free.
Drizzle Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree oil has ant-deterrent properties with a potent aroma to repel the ants. To use it, mix tea tree oil and water in a clean plastic spray bottle. Spraying the mixture around the house will give off an unpleasant scent, which is a nuisance to ants.
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You can also soak cotton balls or tissues and leave them in the areas where ants are commonly spotted to create a comfortable, ant-free environment.
Disperse Cornstarch Over Ants
Cornstarch, easily available at grocery stores, can suffocate many ants simultaneously. There are two effective methods for using cornstarch to deal with ants.
The first is to pour cornstarch directly over the ants and then add water; this will kill the ants and cause them to become coated with the cornstarch, making cleanup easier.
The second method is to cover the ants with cornstarch and vacuum them up, then immediately dispose of the vacuum bag outside the house for quick and efficient removal.
Glass Cleaner And Liquid Detergent
Using glass cleaner and liquid detergent will wipe out the trail ants that they leave as a map of food sources. You can mix glass cleaning spray with a liquid detergent such as dish soap in a bottle and spray it around the house’s perimeter.
If no glass cleaner is available, you can use hand soap to remove the ants’ scented pheromones, chemical substances released by ants to communicate with one another.
Preventive Measures to Reduce Ants
Dealing with a swarm of ants can be frustrating. So, it’s better to take preventive measures than get into the trouble of eliminating them later on.
To prevent ants from invading your home, take these six measures: First, seal any entry points by inspecting for gaps or crevices and filling them with caulk. Regularly clean and maintain your home by removing crumbs and spills from countertops, tables, and floors. Ensure pet bowls are rinsed after each use to eliminate any leftover food.
Store pantry items in airtight containers to keep scents from attracting ants. Install door sweeps on exterior doors to prevent ants from crawling inside. Finally, dispose of any rotten or fermenting food and dust or vacuum frequently to maintain a clean environment.
Managing ants using natural ways is a safe and effective way to protect your food, minimize allergy risks, and maintain cleanliness. An ant-free home also ensures a calmer and stress-free atmosphere for your kids and pets to play around the house.
Finally, following a proactive approach, as mentioned above, prevents any infestation, keeping your home and loved ones protected.
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