Let’s face it, ants in your house can be a big nuisance and many people suffer the fate of an ant invasion especially as temperatures soar. These crawling insects will persistently search high and low for any source of food – including sticky and sweet evidence left on the breakfast bar.
A lot of us attempt home remedies and DIY solutions first. Most of these solutions aren’t 100% effective and can often lead to these crawling insects sneaking their way back into your home.
Home remedies for ants
Which home remedies and DIY solutions have been trialed for ants?
1. Cinnamon
It is believed that ants can’t stand the smell of cinnamon!
This home remedy involves using cinnamon essential oil as opposed to sticks or powder. Soaking a cotton ball in a solution of cinnamon essential oil and water, wiping down common ant hotspots (such as doors and windows) is often regarded as an effective DIY ant control option.
Will cinnamon get rid of ants?
Yes, however, there is a catch! A study in the International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications revealed that cinnamon essential oil can be used to both repel and exterminate ants. The effectiveness of this DIY ant control solution depends on the concentration of the cinnamon oil and its placement. A high concentration of cinnamon oil needs to be used and effectively placed in the common areas where ants are entering your home.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar’s superpowers go beyond the dressing of a salad, and in the era of DIY, is no exception in controlling insects.
To use vinegar as a home remedy for ants, simply fill a spray bottle with a mix of vinegar and water and apply it to the common hotspots and places where food is kept, such as cupboards, kitchen benches and shelves.
Is vinegar a successful home remedy for ants?
Yes, but only for a short period of time. It is believed that the vinegar aroma masks an ant’s scent trail, preventing it from finding its food source. Once the solution has evaporated it will no longer be an effective DIY ant control method.
Furthermore, it might help stop ants from finding food in the first place but will have little to no effect on any existing infestation in your home.
3. Chalk
An unusual home remedy for ants is to use chalk and draw around the common entry points for ants. It is often assumed that ants won’t cross the chalk line and that this will disrupt their scent trail.
Is chalk successful against ants?
No. It may disrupt an ant’s scent trail for a short period of time; however, these clever crawling insects will soon find another way to continue on their hunt for food.
4. Lemon
Just like vinegar, lemon is often used for insects including ants. The acidic property of lemon juice is believed to mask an ant’s scent trail and deter them.
This DIY ant control option involves rubbing lemon juice around door frames, window sills and other common entry points.
Is lemon a successful home remedy for ants?
Yes, for a very short period of time. Lemon juice may seem like a successful home remedy for ants, however, it is not a foolproof solution. In the long run it has little to no effect.
What are some ways I can prevent them in the first place?
Prevention techniques are a great DIY solution to help make your home less appealing to ants and reduce the potential for an infestation to occur.
How to prevent ants:
- Clean up all food and liquid spillages
- Sweep floors regularly to get rid of food debris
- Store food in airtight containers
- Sealing cracks and crevices around your home
Professional Ant Control
DIY ant control solutions and home remedies may give the impression they are working (especially in the short term), they are often ineffective. The most effective solution to get rid of ants is to enlist the help of a pest control professional.
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