Ants are pretty harmless by themselves. Unfortunately, they almost never travel alone, and an infestation of ants in your home can be a huge bother, not to mention the food you'll have to throw away. Trying to get rid of them using poisons can also be harmful to small children or any pets you may have. Here are some natural ways to scare those ants away and prevent them from coming back using just natural, organic products most people keep at home or can easily get at the grocery store. |
|
|
|
Cucumber / Citrus Peel
Place cucumber or citrus fruit peel wherever you're seeing a lot of ants coming from. Citrus fruits and cucumbers are toxic to a certain tiny mushroom ants feed on, so they avoid them.
|
|
Cinnamon Sticks and Cloves of Garlic
Follow the trail of ants and try to identify where they're entering from, such as windows, doors or other gaps found throughout your house. Place cinnamon sticks or cloves of garlic as close as possible to them. Cloves of garlic give off a strong smell, so it is recommended to leave cinnamon sticks, which have a more pleasant aroma. If you do choose garlic, make sure you peel it and cut it up before you put it down. You can put cinnamon sticks in your pantry as a preventative measure against future ant visits.
|
|
|
|
Vinegar
Put some vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the places where you last saw ants, as well as their (suspected or known) points of entry. Vinegar harms their sense of smell and destroys the pheromones they leave behind them to help them find their way.
|
|
|
|
Talcum/Chalk Powder
Create a small 'barrier' of talcum or chalk powder in the ants' points of entry. The talc, the material found both in talcum powder and chalk, destroys their sense of smell and makes it extremely hard for them to cross, so a little barrier will help prevent them from coming in where you don't want them.
|
|
Black pepper
Sprinkle some black pepper on the trail of ants and see how they quickly disperse. Now you can track them and see where they came in from. Make sure you sprinkle some black pepper there, too.
|
|
Mint
Another handy tool that disrupts the little intruders' sense of smell is mint. There are several ways you can use mint to do so. Firstly, you can plant it in your garden and around your house, close to doors and windows. Secondly, you can place some mint leaves by the windows of your home. Like the cinnamon sticks, this too can be placed in the pantry to prevent future intrusions.
|
|
Cornmeal
If you encounter a really big problem with an ant infestation, you may want to use cornmeal. Cornmeal doesn't just prevent ants or makes them run away - it kills them. Ants see it as food, but in reality they can't digest it and eventually die after eating it. It won't kill them as quickly as poison, but it definitely works. It's also cheap and environmentally friendly to use in your home.
|
Images Courtesy of: freedigitalphotos.net
Why Sitting Down is Slowly Putting Your Health at Risk
Some facts everyone should know about sitting.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Making Mosquitoes Extinct?
Can we make mosquitoes extinct? While it may be possible, there may be repercussions. Take a look:
11 Grease Removal Tips You Wish You Knew Before!
Grease stains can be notoriously difficult to remove, but that will be a thing of the past if you use these 11 fantastic grease-removal methods.
These Password Tips Will Ensure You're Safe from Hackers...
Cybercrime is increasing thanks to ever-improving technology. Therefore, it's very important that you have a strong password. These tips will ensure you do!
Once and For All, Is there a Right Side to Aluminum Foil?
Many home cooks have pondered the question 'should I use the sticky or the dull side of an aluminum foil'? We're here to answer this question once and for all
You MUST Watch This If You Own a Cat
Did you know that cats are actually lactose intolerant? Or the many meanings of purring? 13 myths on cats you must stop believing.
These Cuts of Meat Aren't Popular, But They're Tasty!
Instead of tossing away all those meat parts that aren’t specifically called for in the recipe you’re following, save yourself some money and cook them up!
The Egg Secret Tips You Never Knew...
This video shows you some of the best egg life hacks you never knew you needed, but now you'll see them - use all the time!
These Uses For Yogurt Will Leave You Very Surprised
Yogurt can do a whole lot more than just taste nice. In fact, it has many different uses. Here are 10 alternative uses for yogurt.
7 Mistakes We Generally Make While Arranging Furniture
Here's a look at some furniture arranging mistakes you should always avoid and how you can fix them.
We Bet You're Not Aware of These Real-World Facts
Don't miss this random collection of interesting real-world facts from the world over that you are unlikely to have heard before
Treat Your Kitty With This DIY Cat Hammock
Share this video tutorial with all the cat owners you know. They're sure to appreciate it!
Four Ways to Tie Your Shoes for Foot Pain Relief
This helpful guide will teach you how to tie your laces based on the specific issue you're experiencing.
Imitation Foods Aren’t All Bad – Here Are 6 Safe Options
Imitation foods aren’t always bad. Some of them are actually good, while some are avoidable.
How To Prevent Roaches From Entering Your Home
Learn some useful tips as you struggle to keep roaches out of your home.
These Handy Stand Mixer Tips Made A Massive Difference...
A cooking mixer is an important appliance in any kitchen. If you employ these 9 tips, we guarantee you'll fall in love with your even more.
You MUST Pay Attention to These Numbers When Buying Fruit
The numbers you see on fruit have much more significance than you think. You can learn everything you need to know about the fruit you're buying from them.
4000 Years of History in One Glorious Map
In one incredible map we see thousands of years of history.
Tip: All You Need to Know About Your Kitchen Knives
This handy quick cheat-sheet for home cooks gives you a quick run-down of what chefs know about their knives, explains the lingo, and gives some great advice!
Boost Your Happiness in These 22 Small, Easy Ways
Do these little things every day, to make you feel happy.
19 Charts about Food and Cooking That Will Come in Handy
These food and cooking charts and guides can come in real handy someday!
11 Unhealthy Signs in Your Dog That You Shouldn't Ignore
If you're a dog owner, it is in your duty to be observant toward your dog's health. Here are the warning signs you should watch out for.
18 Reasons Why You Should Always Keep Epsom Salt at Home
People often add Epsom salt to their baths. However, it has many other uses and health benefits - here are 18 of them!
Here's How You Should be Washing Your Dark Clothes
When it comes to washing dark clothes, you've got to be careful. Here's how to wash your dark clothes without ruining them!
11 Genius Peanut Butter Life Hacks You Need To Know
Did you know you can use peanut butter as a leather cleaner?
These Sleep Secrets Are Only Known to a Few...
What are the things that will help make your sleep better?
Your Toothpaste Can Be More Harmful Than You Think
Stop using toothpaste that fills your body with nasty chemicals, and try making one of these natural versions instead.
Make Home-Made, Special Treats for Your Dog or Cat
Want to make sure your pet gets the healthiest treats without ant preservatives? Use these recipes to make your own treats. Your pet will thank you for it!
6 Common Mistakes You're Likely Making When Cracking Eggs
These are the biggest mistakes people make when cracking eggs.
Is Your Dryer Getting Slow? These Tips May Help!
There are a number of common reasons why a dryer might stop working efficiently. Here are 5 of them!
The Secret to Folding a Fitted Sheet!
A fitted sheet seems to be designed NOT to be folded. However, this video will tell you the truth and teach you how to fold it with ease.
Make Cleaning Windows Less Tedious with This DIY Recipe
There is a quicker and more effective way to clean the windows in your house. Take a look at these two methods.
5 Sitting Positions and What They Say About You
This guide will help you understand the meaning behind five common sitting positions that you may encounter in your daily life.
Use This Method to Make Carved Pumpkins Last Longer
Follow these tips, and your carved pumpkins should last you all Halloween and potentially longer.
This Guide Will Help You Find Your Perfect Dog!
If you're looking to get a dog, here's how you can find the perfect one for you!
How Woodworking Can Create Additional Revenue for You
The best woodworking business courses teach everything from basic woodworking techniques to advanced marketing strategies.
How to Remove Burnt-on Food Residue From Pots and Pans
Before you reach for steel wool, try these effective and mild methods of removing persistent food residue from pots and pans.
Struggling with Sleep? These YouTube Channels Can Help
The next time you struggle with sleep, try these YouTube channels.
Your Ultimate Guide to Wearing that Suit!
A beginner's guide to wearing a suit the right way.
How to Steer Clear of Germs While Grocery Shopping
Who knew grocery stores would become high-risk environments one day? This article explains how to shop safely during the COVID-19 epidemic
How to Choose the PERFECT Cooking Oil For Every Task
Knowing which cooking oil works best for which task will elevate your cooking from average to profound. Join us and learn for yourself.
Seniors Living Alone Should Always Have These Items
Want to make life easier on your elderly loved one who lives alone? Check this list.
Cleaning Guide: The Correct Way to do Daily Chores
We could all do with a couple of life-savers every now and then. Check these out!
These Construction Tips & Hacks Might Come in Handy
Knowing these construction tips and tricks might come in very handy someday!
Are You Making These 7 Mistakes with Your Cutting Board?
Are you making these 7 mistakes with your cutting board?
Why Your Consumer Brand Loyalty Can Backfire
It happens to all the consumer goods you can imagine...
Whoa! I Never Knew an Empty Plastic Bottle was So Useful
When you've finished with the contents of a plastic bottle, don't throw the bottle away as it can be used for so many different things.