Ever see one ant near your kitchen cupboard, and moments later, there’s an army marching towards your food in a straight line? That’s because ants are expert communicators and ultimate team players. They don’t speak but have other ways of shelling out secret food stashes.
When one ant finds a tasty snack, it does not gatekeep. Rather, it leaves a scent trail behind, from the nest to the food source, guiding the entire colony to the feast. What does that mean for you? A pantry or a home with an ant infestation.
Ants may seem small and harmless, but they quickly divide in number and take over your household. This is why seeing a single ant is never just a minor nuisance; it’s a warning sign. Before you have a full-blown ant problem on your hands, you need to make your home an unwelcome place for these tiny invaders.
Let’s explore how to get ants out of your kitchen using natural remedies in the form of home-made ant repellants.
1. White Vinegar
White vinegar has an acidic smell that overpowers the scent trail or pheromones left behind by the ants. This confuses other ants in the colony, making it difficult to find the food source.
Steps:
- Mix white vinegar and water in equal measures.
- Fill the solution in a spray bottle and apply it over ant trails, cupboard openings, the kitchen slab, and other surfaces.
- Wipe down the surfaces with a clean cloth.
- Repeat daily until the ants start to disappear altogether.
2. Lemon Spray
Ants have a similar dislike for lemon juice due to its strong scent and acidic nature. Lemon juice makes for an eco-friendly ant repellant.
Steps:
- Squeeze out lemon juice into a spray bottle filled with water.
- Spray the juice on surfaces, windows, doors, and any other entry points to the house.
- Repeat for a couple of days to reduce the entry of ants.
3. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil has a strong menthol smell that irritates ants and makes it difficult for them to communicate. Eventually, too much peppermint will make the ants averse to your house.
Steps:
- Add 10-20 drops of peppermint oil to a cup of water.
- Apply the solution at entry points to the house and kitchen cabinets.
- Alternately, you can also soak up cotton balls in the peppermint oil and keep them at entry points of the house.
- Reapply as and when needed.
Note: Keep it away from children and pets.
4. Coffee Grounds
Coffee grounds are the easiest way to temporarily get rid of ants. If you’ve just woken up and witnessed a parade of ants in your kitchen, brewing a cup of coffee might be the best course of action. We’re not kidding.
Steps:
- Sprinkle coffee grounds on ant trails.
- Wash them quickly and disperse.
- Take the time to create another repellent solution and apply it to surfaces.
5. Baking Soda and Sugar
You must be wondering, ‘Why would I leave a sugar feast around for the ants when I want to get rid of them?’ Well, sugar is the bait, and baking soda is the ultimate DIY ant killer and repellant. Baking soda imbalances ants’ digestive systems and can lead to their demise.
While we don’t suggest killing the ants and prefer to repel them, some severe cases require stronger approaches.
Steps:
Mix baking soda and powdered sugar in equal measures in a small container.
Sprinkle the mix on areas with ant trails.
Wipe it off once the ants die or leave.
Note: If you have pets in the house, it might be better to go ahead with another natural ant repellant, as it can upset your pet’s stomach.
How To Prevent Ant Infestation?
Everyone loves spring, including bugs and ants. This is why it’s essential to ensure that your house is clean and organized before the bugs come out. Ants are easy to repel if action is taken on time.
If an ant infestation grows, neither natural repellants nor single-use chemicals can save you from the tirade. The best solution is to hire a pest control service to get things under control. Better yet, schedule deep cleaning to prevent rather than cure.
At Fixlaa, we care about you and strive to simplify your home care. If you need a deep clean service to keep tiny invaders at bay, we’ve got you covered, laa.
