At some point, every household faces the problem with ants in the kitchen or in other spaces of the home.
These pesky little armies of insects appear due to many factors, but regardless of the reason that led to the unexpected and uninvited entry of these intruders, they become a real problem for homeowners, and not knowing how to get rid of ants, you will already be managing to find a good repellent for ants that can help you eradicate the problem.
Now, before you go looking for an effective ant repellent, you should know 6 rules to keep ants away from your home. These might be the most effective ant repellent out there.
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6 rules to keep ants out of your home
Why do ants come to our home? Their main objective is food, and since they are mostly attracted to sticky and sweet substances, it is best not to allow your children to leave juice in the bottom of the glass.
Once the ants enter the house, they start looking for food, so you should keep these six rules to ensure that there is no food source available in your house:
- Clean up liquid and food spills immediately.
- Always cover the food you leave in the kitchen.
- Make sure all the garbage containers that you have in your house are hermetically closed.
- Clean up food debris usually found under kitchen appliances.
- After the pet has finished eating, take its food away immediately.
- If you make compost, keep it covered and closed.
Why a natural repellent for ants?
If you happen to be looking for some ant repellent because you want to know how to get rid of them as they keep you busy all the time and spoil the food in your house, consider the natural route.
Today’s chemicals are very toxic, and they can cause you more trouble than help, as they may solve your ant problem, but they would initiate other problems of another type that have to do with health.
Although they are undoubtedly effective, they are not completely safe. If you have children, the elderly, and pets in your home, they can easily get hurt. Chemicals can cause serious allergic reactions and even lead to hospitalization.
So how do I get rid of ants? Instead of chemicals, more and more people are switching to using natural ant repellants. These are effective enough to deal with ant attacks, and safe enough not to cause any complications.
In addition, natural repellants for ants are inexpensive, so using them is beneficial doubly: you save money and get rid of ants.
So, if you’re ready to turn down poisonous sprays and powders, here are 5 inexpensive, natural ant repellants that are safe to use:
Vinegar as a repellent for ants
This is a very effective ant repellent. Spray vinegar on ant driveways. Vinegar is strong and has a strong odor that will repel ants immediately.
Make sure to cover all nooks and crannies, including countertops, sinks, and windows. Let the vinegar dry well. Although classic vinegar is widely used, for these purposes, apple cider vinegar is no less effective. All you have to do is mix with water in equal amounts and use a spray bottle.
Why does this work? Two reasons, ants actually hate the smell of vinegar, and it eliminates the scent trails they use to get around.
Gis (chalk) / Baby powder
Draw a line of chalk or sprinkle baby powder all over the place where ants are entering your home.
Why does this work? Talc, an ingredient in both chalk and baby powder, is a natural ant repellent. Just be careful if you decide to use it, some studies have linked talc to cancer.
Lemon juice
Lemon is the most effective ant repellent fruit in case of an invasion. Mix a little lemon juice with water and then spray it all around the areas where the ants are. Acid confuses your tracking sense. This is a very optimal natural ant repellent that helps get rid of ants
Herbs / Spices
Sprinkle cinnamon, mint, chili powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves of garlic – whatever you have – on the area where you have seen the ants and on the foundations of your house.
Bay leaves can also be placed in cabinets, container drawers to further deter those pesky critters. Why does this work? Many plants – including these – give off strong odors that repel ants and other insects in their natural habitat. you will see that it is an excellent repellent for ants.
Coffee grains
Sprinkle used coffee beans in the garden and around the outside of your house. Why does this work? Ants are repelled by the smell that the grains give off, and by the way, so do cats.
Peppermint as a repellent for ants
After using your peppermint tea bag, you can use them to scare away ants. They are quite effective. You just have to put bags at the points from where the ants are thought to enter.
If you don’t drink peppermint tea, use peppermint leaves. Dry them and dust them. Sprinkle it on entry points. Also spray peppermint essential oil around windows and doors (the entrances). Plus, your home will smell amazing. Mix water with the oil and place in a spray bottle.
Cucumber and citrus peels
Leave the cucumber and citrus peels in known ant activity areas. Why does this work? Cucumber and citrus peels are toxic to the types of fungi that ants feed on, and therefore, ants avoid them. An ant repellent that you did not imagine could be the solution.