How to banish ants from your home – and it won’t cost you a penny
Ants are one of the most annoying summer pests, and once one enters your home, there’s a likelihood that more will follow. These insects are more apparent in spring and summer as the queen ant lays her eggs, which results in “a population explosion within the nest that causes some ants to leave their home and forage for food outside.
“This is why you see more ants in your house during these seasons,” reported Mantis Pests Solution. Many homeowners are hesitant to use ant repellent due to its strong chemical odour. Fortunately, we discovered three ways to banish ants from your house for good – and it will barely cost you a penny.
Boiling water
Experts from Healthline suggest that if ant holes are outside or near your home, especially in gardens, you should pour boiling water into them. They went on to say, “This method will effectively and immediately kill many of the ants inside.
“Anthills may appear small, but the ant colonies underneath them are vast. The boiling water won’t be enough to kill off the entire colony.
“For this reason, make sure to treat every ant hole you see within your home’s proximity.” However, Gravesham Borough Council warned that pouring boiling water over the nest is a short-term fix which would only damage the nest but not destroy it completely.
Lemons
Another tactic to deter ants is to use lemons, which will cost you as little as 90p for a bag or 30p for just one in supermarkets. “You can spray or wipe lemon juice to deter ants by removing pheromone trails and masking the scent of food,” reported Healthline.
Lemons are a great natural solution, as you can also store the rinds in your cupboard, which will “deter ants from taking up residence in your kitchen.”
White vinegar
Most homeowners will have white vinegar in their homes for other cleaning solutions, but it is also an effective way to repel ants. “Try using a 1-to-1 vinegar and water mixture to clean hard surfaces, including floors and countertops, wherever ants are likely to travel.
“If you see ants, spray the mixture on them or wipe them up with a paper towel,” suggested Healthline. Ants will be able to smell the vinegar after it dries, which they dislike, but the scent doesn’t affect most people for long, unlike ant repellent sprays.
Alternatively, if you’re willing to spend some money, the experts also recommend using coffee grounds. They shared, “Brewed coffee grounds have been found to repel household ants.
“Try sprinkling the freshly brewed coffee grounds on disposable surfaces (such as index cards) and leaving them in areas where ants congregate, such as pet bowls. You can also place the grounds on windowsills.
“The grounds may lose their potency once they’re dry, so make sure to change often.”
