Do you have an ant infestation in your house? Before you call a professional ant exterminator, try eliminating them with these simple solutions—we bet you already have all of the ingredients you need right in your own home.
Put double sided tape on your countertop
If you notice the ants gravitate towards a part of your kitchen or pantry (like the cookie jar) then just encircle the area with a ‘moat’ of double-sided tape. This will trap the critters without resorting to chemical insecticides that can contaminate your food.
Draw a chalk line
Chalk contains calcium carbonate, which is harmless to us but seems to irritate ants. So you can try drawing a chalk border around the doorways or on the floor. If the ants like to stay in your garden, grind up the chalk and scatter it around the plants. (It also keeps away the slugs!)
Squeeze some lemon
Squeeze a lemon on window sills, cracks, and other areas where you notice ants tend to crawl through. Even the lemon peels are useful: keep a bunch outside the door. You can also add lemon juice to water and scrub the floor with it. Lemon has a delightful scent and will make your house smell like summer— while keeping away ants, fleas and roaches.
Add a pinch (or more) of pepper
Ants who are on the lookout for sugar will be surprised and turned away by the smell of cayenne pepper. Sprinkle it on countertops or even down an ant hole. Achooo!
Tape herbs on your jars
If ants are invading your jars of flour or sugar, then tape a bay leaf on the jar or the lid. For the pantry, make a spice sachet filled with cinnamon, cloves, sage and bay. The strong aroma will discourage ants from going on a food expedition there.
Photo from howtokillbugs.info
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