It’s that time of year again when ants begin to invade your home. If you don’t like the idea of leaving poisons around to get rid of them, there are many natural products you can use instead. Most of these are items you already have in your home, so you can save the expense of buying numerous products that may or may not work.
- Borax has been used for years as an ant deterrent. It can be mixed half and half with sugar to attract the ants, and left at entry points. You may have to experiment with the borax-sugar combination to get the right proportions. Ants ingest this mixture, and take it back to their nests. It is probably best not to use this inside the home if you have small children or pets that might get into it.
- Cayenne pepper acts as a repellent, and can be sprinkled on the floor at entrances or other places where you see ants.
- Bay leaves have also been known to discourage ants, so if you leave a few around the kitchen, they may get discouraged.
- Talcum or baby powder are another safe method to keep ants from coming into your home. Try to find where they enter, and sprinkle some on the floor.
- Boiling water poured on ant hills in the cracks of your patio are a quick and easy way to eliminate ants. Or, mix hot water and borax.
- Keep it clean. Wipe your kitchen counters thoroughly. Clean them regularly with vinegar. Also, check to make sure there are no food spills around your waste container, and wash your flours frequently.