Ants are everywhere as they are the most common household pest. There are about 12,000 species of ants in the United States, and many homeowners face frequent ant problems in their homes, especially during summer. It’s not only irritating to have ants running all around your desk, bed, and kitchen, but a colony of ants can cause many health issues.
Some ant varieties, like the Harvester, can even bite humans, which is not only painful but can also cause a lot of damage to food items. Carpenter ants also cause damage to your building materials. Black and red ants inside the house generally contaminate the food. But the worst part is that they carry harmful bacteria. It can quickly transfer to any food item or an open wound.
We all are clueless about how ants enter our houses, especially during warmer months. Keep the house absolutely clean and tidy to avoid insect infestation. We will discuss some amazing home remedies in this article to ensure your home is ant-free.
Sprinkle Black Pepper
Ants have a strong sense of smell which helps them to understand any potential danger. And to them, the scent of black pepper is irritating. Therefore, to prevent them from entering your house or to avoid their entrance, sprinkle ground black pepper everywhere around your baseboards and all household appliances. It is one of the easiest and safest methods to ban their entry. But it can irritate kids and pets, so be careful if you have pets.
Essential Oils
Essential oils such as lemon, peppermint, cinnamon leaf, lemongrass oil, eucalyptus, neem, thyme oil, and tea tree oil can naturally repel ants and keep them away from your home. You can mix a few drops of essential oil into two or three cups of water and spray the mixture all around your home’s baseboards, doors, windows, and various other appliances. It is another very affordable, easy technique that is safe for children but can be irritating to pets like cats.
White Vinegar
Create a mixture of half vinegar and half water solution and mop the floor with it. This method kills existing ants and even deters the further entry of ants by leaving a strong lingering scent of vinegar which works as a natural ant repellant.
Chalk
Chalk contains calcium carbonate, which is an ant-repellent. Use powdered chalk in the ants’ entry points in the various areas. Draw a thin line of chalk at the entrance to keep them from entering.
The Conclusion
Ants are not only annoying but harmful. You can also take the help of a professional to get rid of these insects and to keep your home safe. So, if you spot these creatures crawling inside your premises, call Accurate Pest Control, the best ant exterminators in San Antonio.