It’s ant season! And they are not harmful, but it is always unpleasant to find colonies or a nest of larvae in the corners of our house. Also, we start to believe that it is impossible to get rid of the infestation without chemicals, and without foul-smelling and harmful insecticides. At least that’s what you believebecause natural insecticides and repellents often do just as good a job without being toxic. So, vhere are 9 natural tips from grandmother to stop the ant invasion.
1) Chalk to prevent the invasion of ants from passing through
Make a chalk line to block the ants and you will see that they will not get past it! There diatomaceous earth can be used in the same way to get rid of harmful insects. This is ideal if the chalk is not enough or there are a lot of ants. Of all the natural methods, it remains very effective against these little creatures.
2) Lavender, the plant that suppresses the invasion of ants
Place bouquets of lavender at each entrance to your house, ants hate the smell of lavender. If you want to make yourself a real ant repellent sprayhere is a recipe based on essential oils. Mix 10 drops of peppermint essential oil with 5 drops of lavender essential oil. Then, add 1/4 L of 40° alcohol and pour the preparation into a spray bottle. Finally, spray this solution in the areas affected by the invasion.
3) Cayenne pepper
Much too strong for ants, this smell will definitely scare them away, especially in cupboards where they are looking for food! Besides, put all food in jars or airtight containers to protect them from insects if they found cracks to reach the pantry. This will also prevent food moths from getting in and will promote the good preservation of food! Place small piles of cayenne pepper in the affected areas and they will be gone after a few days.
Other spicy options include cinnamon and cloves. Place these spices near entry points, as ants don’t like their strong smell.
4) The best repellent aromatic herbs and essential oils against an ant invasion
To quickly scare away ants, place mint and basil leaves in your house in traffic areas. Always to benefit from the power of plants, also test repellent essential oils ! Besides the lavender mentioned earlier, to repel ants, use peppermint essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, or tea tree essential oil ( tea tree). Mix 10-15 drops of one of these oils with water in a spray bottle. Spray entry points and ant crossing areas. You can also soak cotton balls with these oils and place them near doors, windows and other entrances make them want to come in.
5) White vinegar
Spray pure white vinegar or diluted with water on the affected areas and on window sills to fight and eradicate ants. It is one of the best natural repellents! Also use it as much as possible for cleaning. So, its smell will keep these undesirables at bay.
6) Baking powder or sugar
Simply sprinkle baking powder on the way to the ants. They will flee quickly. Another key ingredient in cakes appreciated by gourmands and pastry chefs, sugar can also be used as bait to attract ants in combination with borax or boric acid. For this anti-ant recipe, mix these two ingredients in equal parts, then place them in small containers near the nests. Borax kills antsbut also cockroaches. Be careful, however, it must be used with caution, as it is toxic.
7) Garlic
For us, it is a source of food. For them, it’s horror and it’s therefore perfect when you’re trying to get rid of the ant and its colony! Crush some garlic, and place this mixture in your house, the smell will scare away these invasive critters.
8) Coffee grounds
Moisten your coffee groundsplace a good layer of it in the areas affected by the presence of ants. Whether outside or inside, go generous! You will see that the ants will be gone in a very short time.
9) Corn flour
The complete tip against the ant invasion can be discovered here.
How to avoid ant invasions at home?
To avoid ant invasions at home and help fight them more effectively, follow some practical tips. What create an inhospitable environment for these harmful insects!
Maintain the Cleanliness of the House to Prevent the Invasion of Ants
First, clean up any crumbs and food spills on the floor immediately. Always try to keep the areas where you put food clean after use, as this will reduce odors attractive to these unwanted insects and reduce the food sources available to them. Additionally, it will prevent cockroach installations as well. To do this, white vinegar, a cleaning and repellent product at the same time, is ideal, if your surfaces allow it (to be avoided on stone and marble).
For the same reasons, empty the trash regularly and keep them closed constantly with tight-fitting lids to avoid attracting them with waste. Finally, clean kitchen appliances and spaces under furniture.
Tip: Do ants get into your pets’ food? In this case, use water bowls around food bowls to create a barrier that ants cannot cross. You can do the same with the legs of the table on the terrace to eat outside without them being able to climb on them!
Some advice in the garden
Do you have a composting bin? In this case, compost correctly using compost bins tightly closed and away from the house. Also avoid planting trees or bushes too close to the house, as they can serve as bridges for ants. What’s more, maintain a clear area around the home’s foundation by removing leaves, dead wood and other debris. Also keep logs and firewood away from exterior walls. Finally, clean the gutters regularly to prevent ants from finding refuge there.
A less welcoming house
First of all, make sure to seal the entrances well. To do this, caulk cracks and gaps in walls, doors and windows. Additionally, repair damaged screens and door frames. Furthermore, better to limit humidity at home. So repair water leaks in the house, even small ones, and ensure good ventilation to avoid humidity. If necessary, use dehumidifiers in damp areas of the home such as basements. And of course, ventilate the rooms well to avoid the accumulation of humidity. Once the invasion is controlled, regularly inspect areas prone to infestationsboth inside and outside the house.
And to fight against ants that have a colony in the garden or vegetable patch, find our best advice and our natural solutions to repel them. No need to kill invasive ants to drive them away effectively or buy powder or gel insecticides as well as expensive and ineffective traps! A little hygiene and natural repellents will work wonderfully.