In themselves, ants are not harmful insects. But when they appear en masse in every corner of your interior and sneak into your pantry, it quickly turns into a nightmare. And since they reproduce at lightning speed, it is better to get rid of them quickly, otherwise the invasion is inevitable. Fortunately, there are several simple and natural ways to keep ants out of your pantry.
Have you tried everything to scare away those nasty ants, but to no avail? Try the cork trick. The result will surprise you!
Why do ants enter the house?
Generally, ants enter our interior through doors, windows, the garden or any other crack in the forest. They are mainly attracted to food scraps or crumbs. That is why they often stay in the kitchen or pantry. These insects usually visit homes in spring, when they leave their nests where they take refuge during the cold months. On the other hand, if you notice a colony of ants at home in the dead of winter, then it is very likely that they have established their nest there. Since these little beasts are very intelligent, it is not always easy to fight them. But if you can’t stand them anymore, you can try to evict them naturally without using aggressive methods.
Also read: Ants will disappear from the garden with this common ingredient that we all have at home
Ants – Source: spm
Ants are extremely sensitive to odors, much more so than humans. Your first instinct would definitely be to spray on some industrial repellent and throw away all the spoiled food, but that’s not the most recommended option. First, when you decide to dispose of ant-infested food, be sure to wrap it in a heavy bag and throw it away immediately to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the house. On the other hand, the use of chemical repellents is strongly discouraged, especially in the kitchen, as they can harm health. Especially since the idea is not to kill these insects, but simply to keep them away so that they do not appear again. Therefore, bet more on natural methods to drive them away and at the same time preserve your health.
Perhaps the most effective option is to use the cork method: all you need is sugar, baking soda, and a bottle cork.
Bottle caps – Source: spm
Inside the cork, pour equal parts sugar and baking soda. Then you just have to place this stopper in the area infested with ants, in this case the pantry. You are probably wondering why use sugar, when it is ant’s favorite ingredient. Well, precisely, its smell will attract them. But, since it is mixed with baking soda, a product that disgusts them, they will quickly flee from this place. Thanks to their instinct, they will very quickly detect its unbearable smell and avoid getting close to it. You will have liberated the pantry without killing these undesirables.
Also read: 4 plants that repel ants naturally: they are worth having in the garden!
Other natural tips to kill ants
Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil – Source: spm
As noted above, ants have a highly developed sense of smell. They do not support various odors, particularly those of certain essential oils. Opt for mint, to apply alone or mixed with baking soda for an even more effective effect. In addition to the essential oil, the chopped dried leaves can also do the trick. Store them in tulle bags and install them in the corners of the house most frequented by ants. In addition, so that they no longer appear, you can also consider growing mint or tansy plants in the garden, balcony or terrace. They have a powerful repellent action, you will finally get rid of this scourge.
Vinegar and lemon juice
Finally, there is another natural remedy that has been widely tested. A water solution made from white vinegar or lemon juice. Two birds with one stone: you can use it to clean the pantry and kitchen cabinets, and at the same time scare away those intruders. This way, not only will your surfaces be clean and disinfected, but the smell of this remedy will make the ants disappear in no time.
Also read: Garden invaded by ants? The trick to keep them away: they won’t come back
