Ants are most active and invasive in winter in South Africa due to their breeding cycle, but they breed more quickly in warmer temperatures. Ants are common insects that can be invasive outdoors and indoors.
It is essential to monitor their spread as they can easily evade your home when they are not monitored and controlled. Here are ten natural ways to keep ants at bay in your home:
Boiling water
Pour boiling water into the ant nest poles to eliminate the invasion of ants into your space. It will take care of a significant portion of the ants on the surface and inside.
Ground black or red pepper
Dried and crushed black pepper and cayenne pepper are the best forms of pepper to deter ants. Sprinkle them on surfaces in your home where ants are most prevalent.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint has a pungent smell that deters ants. Dilute several drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle.
Lemon eucalyptus oil
Pour eucalyptus oil into a small bowl and put cotton balls in the bowl. Place the bowl in a spot away from pets and children. Wash the bowl and refresh the eucalyptus oil and cotton balls weekly.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has natural ant and insect-repellent qualities. Dilute about 10 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle with water, or soak cotton balls in the solution in a bowl and leave them in ant-prone areas. Refresh the cotton balls solution and wash the bowl weekly.
White vinegar
Make a vinegar, water baking soda or bicarbonate of soda and dish liquid solution in a bowl. Let the solution fizz in a bowl before pouring it into a bowl. This solution can be used as a natural pest-repellent spray to clean and wipe all surfaces.
Corn-starch
Corn starch can be directly applied over a group of ants and add water to encase them, or you can sprinkle corn starch and vacuum it up immediately, making sure to dispose of the bag outdoors. This can be especially helpful for larger infestations.
Cinnamon leaf essential oil
Soak cotton balls in undiluted cinnamon leaf oil and place them where you’ve seen ants. Replace the cotton balls weekly and keep the oil away from pets.
Neem oil
Ants often farm aphids on plants, and neem oil can control both pests. Use full-strength neem oil around your plants for the best results.
Coffee grounds
Place the grounds on disposable surfaces like index cards and position them where you see ants. Pet bowls and window sills are common spots where ants gather.
Using natural ant-repellent is a safe and effective way to keep your home ant-free without relying on harsh chemicals. With these simple and accessible solutions, you can enjoy a pest-free home while protecting your family and pets from unnecessary exposure to toxins.
Compiled by: Thimna Matika
First published by Garden & Home
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