Are you looking for a simple solution on how to get rid of ants in the house? From peppermint oil to ground coffee, there are plenty of natural homemade remedies you can try to help keep the pesky insects at bay.
Ants are social insects that live in colonies, so it’s unlikely you’ll find just one. While they aren’t harmful or explicitly dangerous, and cannot cause any real damage to your home, they are a nuisance as they can quickly build up in numbers.
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Black ants are the species you’re most likely to find in UK gardens, and they’re also regularly seen indoors, drawn to areas where they will find a food source — they have a taste for sugary substances, so will quite happily forage for food in your kitchen.
‘If you want to get rid of them, there are plenty of ways to do so without having to rely on chemical solutions. Coffee grounds, glass cleaner and white vinegar have all proved to be effective in killing ant colonies,’ explain the team at Gardening Express.
Not sure where to begin? Take a look at the seven simple things you can try below:
1. Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are a great way to naturally deter ants without harming them. Grab a handful of dried coffee and create a ‘barrier’ for the ants so they can’t pass through – try sprinkling the coffee grounds on disposable surfaces, and around pet bowls and plants. You can also place them on windowsills. Because of its crunchy texture, the ants won’t like the feeling underfoot.
2. Glass cleaner and liquid detergent
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If you’re reluctant to use toxic baits, another way to keep the ants away is to mix glass cleaner and liquid detergent together. Simply place in a spray bottle and spritz around the ant-infested area. Wipe down the area after spraying, leaving a light residue. This remedy works by cleverly removing the scented pheromone trail they leave behind when they walk.
3. Pepper
Ants hate the strong scent of pepper, so this is also a great natural alternative to consider. Simply take some pepper (cayenne pepper or black pepper) and sprinkle around entry points in your home. ‘This remedy to ant infestation is completely natural and safe. Anecdotal evidence suggests that sprinkling pepper around baseboards and behind appliances may help keep ants at bay,’ adds the team at Gardening Express.
4. Tea tree oil
Mix together 5-10 drops of tea tree oil with a little water and place into a spray bottle. Simply spritz around the areas where ants are dominating and you’ll soon see immediate effects. Another tip is to soak cotton wool balls in tea tree oil and place them around entry points in the home — ants won’t like the smell.
Gardening Express explains: ‘Like most essential oils, you should keep tea tree oil out of reach of pets, especially cats, who can become very ill if exposed.’
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5. Peppermint
Peppermint oil and mint leaves are another great way to put off the pesky insects from entering your home. Consider spraying peppermint close to dustbins, compost heaps or doors to the garden.
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‘Mix 10-20 drops of peppermint essential oil with two cups of water, then spray the mixture around the baseboards and windows of your home.’
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6. White vinegar
An effective way to get rid of ants is to spray white vinegar and water on areas around the home and garden. If you have a reoccurring ant problem, try using diluted vinegar to clean hard surfaces, including floors and counter tops, around your home — this will keep them at bay.
7. Boiling water
A quick trick for getting rid of an ant nest is to pour boiling water into any ant holes. ‘Anthills may appear small, but the colonies underneath them can be huge in comparison,’ says Gardening Express.
Remember to be careful with the hot water, especially if you have young children or pets playing outside.
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