The best way to get rid of ants is to target the source – while it might be difficult to identify an ants nest, finding where they seem to be coming from is the place to start when laying any deterrent methods. But instead of reaching for any unnatural pesticides to deal with the problem, there are plenty of ways to combat ant infestations without using chemicals.
Essential oils
Peppermint is a natural deterrent for bugs, and also works well on deterring flies and mosquitoes.
The same goes for lemon eucalyptus oil and tea tree oil.
Mix 10 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil with two cups of water, pop it in a spray bottle and use on baseboards and windows of your home, or wherever the ants appear to be coming from.
However, be cautious if using these if you have pets – in particular cats, who can become very ill if exposed to some essential oils.
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Cornstarch
If you find a large collection of ants or an ants nest in or around your home, you can use cornstarch to smother them.
Liberally pour over an entire group of ants, and then add water on top.
This is a messy method, but once the cornstarch has dried you can easily hoover and dispose of the mess.
Pepper
Bugs, and ants, in particular, can’t stand the scent of pepper and will avoid it at all costs.
Sprinkle some wherever you see ants and around baseboards and windows, and they should hopefully go and not come back.
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Vinegar
If you see ants, wipe them up with a solution of 50-50 vinegar and water, or straight vinegar.
White vinegar kills ants and also repels them. If you have an ant problem, try using diluted vinegar to clean hard surfaces, including floors and counter-tops, throughout your home.
Ants can smell the vinegar after it dries, but the scent doesn’t remain discernible for long to most people.
Glass cleaner and liquid detergent
Combining spray-on glass cleaner with liquid detergent or dish soap can help deter ants from entering your home.
It does this by removing the scented pheromone trail they leave behind when they walk.
Mix together and spray on areas where ants seem to congregate or originate from. Wipe down the area after spraying, leaving a light residue.
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