I can’t stand those annoying ants anymore, and here I found some tips on how to deal with them. Ants can certainly get on our nerves and break our morale! Who wants this pesky kitchen invasion? And especially if they’ve launched their attack where we store food? Even one ant soon turns into a whole colony. If you find yourself battling against these tiny but powerful creatures, try one of these creative but simple (and effective!) ways to take the edge off!
1. Draw a Line with Chalk
If you have a door or patio door in your kitchen that leads directly to the outside of your home, this is probably the route for ants. To deter them, draw a chalk line on the floor on the outside of the door. Ants don’t like calcium carbonate at all, so it’s a great repellent that won’t allow them to cross that simple, dividing line and head inside your home.
2. Sprinkle with Flour or Cinnamon
Similar to chalk, ants are repelled by flour and cinnamon! Instead of using chemicals in and around your kitchen, sprinkle some flour, baking powder, or cinnamon in and around your cabinets, or even along windows or other openings.
3. Use Lemon or Other Citrus Fruits
Get rid of the ants and scent your kitchen too! The power of citrus fruits like lemons or oranges will keep them away. Spray the casings of windows or doors with a little lemon juice and also on the window sills to prevent ants from coming in. You can also put some lemon peels outside your kitchen door to stop the invasion!
4. Use Herbs
Ants love sugar and can smell it from miles away! This means your kitchen counters or cabinets can become a hotbed for a colony of ants, even if there’s the slightest trace of a sugary substance. Herbs like sage and bay leaves can prevent ants from “attacking” your sugary treats. Put the herbs directly into your sugar container or next to your honey to keep ants away.
5. Follow Their Path
When ants enter your home, they leave behind a scent trail for other ants to follow. This is why you usually see ants in a line, and rarely one alone. If you notice an ant coming into your kitchen, clean the area with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. This won’t kill the ants already in your home, but it will eliminate their scent so other ants can’t follow.
6. Seal the Cracks
Ants often enter through cracks and holes around windows. Make sure to seal even the smallest cracks with silicone or some cement to keep them out.
7. Maintain Good Cleaning Habits
Clean your kitchen constantly and often. Pay special attention to the counters and the floor, sweeping well to remove crumbs or other food residues. Mop up or wipe down any spilled liquids immediately. Keep cupboards and drawers as clean as possible to prevent attracting ants.
Try these simple and effective tricks to keep your home ant-free and enjoy your summer without unwanted guests!
