Say Goodbye to Ants

Although few people will admit it, ants are a problem in most houses in HRM every spring and summer as the weather warms. If you are selling a home, the last thing you want crawling in your cupboards are ants, and if you are buying a home, you really do not want to see evidence of ants. And for the rest of us who are just trying to enjoy the warmer weather, ants are a complete nuisance we wish would not visit. But, they do! Chemical solutions are toxic, so before you resort to toxic chemicals, please note that there are many safe and effective natural solutions that you can try to keep those pesky ants away. 

Hopefully, these will help! 

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an effective household ant repellent.  Its smell discourages ants from entering your house and scrounging in your kitchen. According to a study published in the International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, cinnamon essential oil yields positive results in both repellency and insecticidal activity.

·      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 all the ants are gone.

·      You can also put ground cinnamon and whole cloves near entry points.

·      Note: Use the cinnamon oil spray strategically in places of ant infestation; do not put it all over the place.

White Vinegar

White vinegar will also send an eviction notice to ants on your premises. They cannot bear its strong smell. In addition, the smell masks their scent trails, making them lose their direction.

You can also use this vinegar solution to clean floors, windowsills, and countertops, helping prevent ants from crawling on these surfaces.

·      Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. 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.

Borax

Borax is toxic to ants and helps rid them from your house and garden. Ants 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 ants.

·      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 ants.

Note: As borax is toxic, keep it away from pets and small children.

 Lemon

To make your kitchen and other areas of your house ant-proof, try lemon. The smell deters ants and its acidic property masks their scent trails.

·      Rub some lemon juice on door thresholds, windowsills and other possible areas where ants 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.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a natural insect repellent that can effectively keep ants away. Ants 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 on all areas where ants are present. Repeat twice daily, until the ants are gone completely.

·      Sprinkle some dried peppermint around your doors, entryways and garbage areas to repel ants.

·      You can even grow peppermint plants in your kitchen garden.

Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) also works well as an ant repellent. This powder is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. The microscopic razor-sharp edges of DE can cut through the ants’ exoskeletons, gradually causing their body to dry out.

·      Gently sprinkle a thin layer of DE on windowsills, beneath the fridge, under cabinets, in and around garbage cans and any other places where you see ants

·      Repeat once daily until all the ants are gone.

·      Note: Do not wet the DE or it will not work.

Cucumber Peel

Another age-old trick to get rid of ants is the cucumber peel. Ants have a natural aversion to cucumber, as they cannot stand its taste. Bitter cucumbers work best, but you can use normal cucumbers, too.

·      Peel a cucumber.

·      Place pieces of the peel in all areas where you have seen ant activity.

·      Replace them with fresh peels daily.

·      Repeat as needed until the ants are gone.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper also works as an effective ant repellent. The strong nature of cayenne pepper destroys the chemical signals that ants rely on to navigate toward food, their nest and other places. Without a proper signal, ants will not be able to survive and will thus look for new places to go.

·      Sprinkle cayenne pepper powder in areas where you notice ants.

·      You can also mix equal amounts of cayenne pepper and turmeric powder and sprinkle it across the access points to make an unpleasant barrier for ants.

It is best to address your ant concerns with natural remedies rather than resort to toxic chemicals.  But honestly, if the natural attempts do not work, you can always try Ant Begone.  

If anyone has a remedy that we have not mentioned here please let us know. Email us at  HRMOffice@assist2sell.com. We would love to hear your solutions!