Safe and effective ways to get rid of ants in the house or garden

Weather of Arabia - When you see one ant wandering around the house, make sure that there are thousands of other ants somewhere nearby. This may not bother you too much if you are out hiking in public, but if there is an ant infestation in your home, you will definitely need to fix the problem and get rid of the ants in the house before they take over the house and spoil your food.

There are many ways to eliminate ants and their colonies at home. Some of these solutions are natural and do not add chemicals or toxins to your environment. Here are some of the best ways to kill and expel ants naturally and safely from your home:

20 natural ways to get rid of ants

1. White vinegar

White vinegar kills and repels ants. If you have an ant problem, try using diluted vinegar to clean hard surfaces, including floors and countertops throughout your home. And don't worry about the vinegar smell in the house, it won't be noticeable to most people, but ants can smell the vinegar even after it dries up.

2. Glass cleaner and liquid cleaner

Combining a spray 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 walking.

Mix them together and spray on areas where ants appear to be congregating or emerging from. Wipe the area after spraying, leaving a light residue. And while there are no studies to support this treatment, anecdotal evidence suggests that it's enough to keep ants away.

3. Hand soap

If the smell of glass cleaner bothers you, a solution of hand soap and water may be enough to remove the ants. Use it in ant trails and entry points in your home. Soap and water of any kind can remove the smell of ant pheromones, without the pheromone trails ants leave behind to guide other ants Ants become unable to communicate with each other.

4. Pepper

Since ants find the smell of pepper unpleasant, you can try black or red pepper (cayenne) as an ant deterrent. This method Anecdotal evidence suggests that pepper spraying around baseboards and behind appliances may help keep ants away.

5. Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth is a type of silica. It is a powder composed of the fossilized remains of aquatic organisms called diatoms. It is not a poison. It kills ants and other insects by drying them out by absorbing oils into their hulls. To use it as an ant killer, follow package directions, or sprinkle the powder anywhere you see ants, but avoid inhaling diatomaceous earth or touching your skin because it is an irritant.

6. Mint

Mint is a natural insect repellent and may be very effective in repelling ants and other insects, such as mosquitoes. Mix 10 to 20 drops of peppermint essential oil with two cups of water. Spray the mixture around baseboards and windows in your home, and let it dry.

CAUTION : Keep peppermint oil and any extracts of essential oils out of the reach of pets, especially cats, who can become seriously ill if exposed.

7. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil repels and kills ants. Mix 5 to 10 drops of tea tree oil with two cups of water and use it as a spray. You can also use cotton balls impregnated with it and place them around your house where you see ants. And if the smell is too strong, try making a mixture that combines tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and water.

8. Lemon eucalyptus oil

The oil extracted from the lemon eucalyptus tree is another natural insect repellent. It contains citronella, which is used in candles that repel flying insects, such as mosquitoes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is also effective in repelling ants.

To use, saturate cotton balls with undiluted oil. Place it in areas where ants have been seen. other weekly.

You can likely find lemon eucalyptus oil at your local health food store. It is also available online.

Caution : Do not take lemon or eucalyptus oil. Keep it out of reach of children and pets