Rid Your Home Of Ants Naturally This Summer Using These Remedies

While harmless, ants can be a nuisance when they choose to invade your home. Just when you think you have finally rid your home of them, they return and have multiplied. There are some ways out there to deter ants from your home, but first you need to understand what it is that is drawing them into your home.

Many times ants find their way into your home in search of shelter or nourishment.  One easy way to keep them out of your home is to keep the surfaces in your kitchen as clean as possible and free of any food and water. Something as simple as a wet rag left on the counter can attract thirsty ants.  Ants are creatures of habit and will use the same path to and from a food source. If you can track their path you can stop the ants by blocking it.

To remove your home of ants naturally try these tips:

1. Essential Oils

Disrupt the ant’s trail back to their home via essential oils. Peppermint, tea tree, clove, lemon, and orange oils are all deterrents to ants. Place a few drops of one of the oils on a cotton ball then rub it along the ants trail as well as along the baseboards in your home and along any cracks in your walls.

2.Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a powder similar to that of talc powder that is made up of the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton.   It is safe to humans but deadly to ants.  To use, sprinkle it on areas where you have seen ants, such as windowsills, garbage cans, countertops, under your refrigerator, and other similar areas.

3.Vinegar

The smell of vinegar deters ants and has the ability to mask the scent of the ant's trail. Mixed as a spray with the addition of an essential oil it can be effective in deterring ants from your home. Add 25-30 drops of essential oil to a mixture of ¼ cup apple cider vinegar and ¼ cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray along the baseboards in your home and repeat every three days until the ants are gone.

4.Dr. Bronner’s Soap

Dr. Bronner’s soap works similar to the way Diatomaceous Earth does by dissolving the wax like coating on the exterior of the ant. It works best when placed in a spray bottle and sprayed along the baseboards in your home and other entry points.

5.Lemon Juice

Similar to vinegar, lemon juice works well in deterring ants and works best when mixed with essential oils, too. Add 15 drops of an essential oil to a spray bottle with ¼ cup of lemon juice and spray baseboards in your home every few days until the ants are no longer around.

Hopefully, your home stays free of ants this summer, but if you find yourself being invaded try one of these tips and let us know how they worked for you.

The Silva Group is comprised of Philadelphia area’s best and brightest in the real estate industry and we are here to help you with all your real estate needs. Contact us today to see how we can help.