During warm weather or rainy seasons, many people discover ants entering their houses areas. They are social insects and live in colonies that may range in size from hundreds to millions of ants, depending on the species. There are different types of ants, but house-invading ants can get into your food, damage property or cause stinging bites. These tiny creatures can also cause damage to your plants. Dealing with ants can be very frustrating. Pesticides for ants contain harmful chemicals but there are some natural, non-toxic ways to control ants. These may take some time and patience but will provide good results.
1. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an effective household repellent. Its smell discourages them from entering your house and scrounging in your kitchen. Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cinnamon essential oil in a cup of water. Soak a cotton ball in this solution and wipe down the areas where ants may enter and dwell. Repeat once daily until they are gone. You can also put ground cinnamon and whole cloves near entry points.
2. White Vinegar
White vinegar will also send an eviction notice on your premises. They cannot bear its strong smell. In addition, the smell masks their scent trails, making them lose their direction. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and then pour the solution into a spray bottle. Add a few drops of any essential oil and shake the bottle thoroughly. Spray this solution around baseboards and other entry points. After an hour, wipe up the ants using a damp paper towel and discard them. Repeat once daily until the ants are completely gone. You can also use this vinegar solution to clean floors, windowsills, and countertops to prevent ants from crawling over these surfaces.
3. Borax
Borax is toxic to them and helps rid them of your house. They are attracted to it and, when ingested, it ultimately kills them. Mix equal amounts of borax and food jelly. Put it on a flat plate in the areas where you have these pests. Alternatively, mix borax with granulated sugar in a 1:3 ratio. Add enough water to get a syrup-like consistency. Put this paste in the areas where you see ants. Another option is to make a paste with equal amounts of borax, cornmeal and a few drops of water. Spread the paste in areas where you tend to see them.
4. Lemon
To make your kitchen and other areas of your house ant-proof, try lemon. The smell deters them and its acidic property masks their scent trails. Rub some lemon juice on door thresholds, windowsills and other possible areas where they are getting in. Another option is to put a few drops of lemon essential oil on cotton balls and leave them in cabinets and other areas as needed. Scatter small slices of lemon peel around outdoor entrances. Use these remedies every few days until the ants are completely gone.
5. Peppermint
Peppermint is a natural insect repellent that can effectively keep them away. They hate its strong smell, which also disrupts their smelling capabilities so they cannot detect food sources. Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil to 1 cup of water. Spray the solution in all areas where you find them. Repeat twice daily, until the ants are gone completely. Sprinkle some dried peppermint around your doors, entryways and garbage areas to repel them. You can even grow peppermint plants in your kitchen garden.
