Keeping ants away from your home can be a challenge, but there are several effective methods you can try using items you already have around your house. Here are some ways to keep ants away:
1. Salt: Sprinkle salt in areas where ants are entering your home or along their pathways. The salt will deter them from crossing the barrier.
2. Baby powder: Similar to salt, baby powder creates a barrier that ants do not like to cross. Apply it along windowsills, doorways, and other entry points.
3. Lemon juice: Squeeze lemon juice onto windowsills, door thresholds, and other ant-prone areas. The strong citrus scent repels ants and masks their scent trails.
4. Chalk: Draw a line with chalk across entrances where ants are coming in. The calcium carbonate in chalk disrupts the ants’ scent trails, making them lose their way.
5. Vinegar: Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray it around areas where ants are present. The strong smell of vinegar masks their pheromone trails, deterring them from entering.
6. Bay leaves: Place bay leaves in cupboards, pantry shelves, and other areas where you’ve seen ants. They dislike the scent of bay leaves and will avoid those areas.
7. Cinnamon: Sprinkle cinnamon powder near ant entry points or in areas where they are seen. Ants dislike the smell of cinnamon and will avoid it.
8. Peppermint oil: Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and spray it around doors, windows, and other ant-prone areas. The strong scent of peppermint repels ants.
In addition to these household items, there are some other preventive measures you can take to keep ants away:
– Keep your home clean and free of food debris. Wipe down surfaces, sweep floors, and promptly clean up spills to eliminate food sources that attract ants.
– Seal any cracks or crevices in your home’s foundation, walls, and windows to prevent ants from finding entry points.
– Store food in airtight containers to prevent ants from being attracted to them.
– Trim trees and shrubs away from your house, as branches touching your home can provide a bridge for ants to enter.
– Keep your garbage cans tightly sealed and empty them regularly to avoid attracting ants.
It’s worth noting that different ant species may respond differently to these methods, so it may take some trial and error to find what works best for the ants in your area. If you have a severe ant infestation or if these methods do not work, it may be necessary to consult a professional pest control service for further assistance.
