Ants can be a nuisance in your home during the warmer months – but there are some natural ways to get rid of them
Ants are more commonly found in homes during summer(Image: PATSTOCK via Getty Images)
After the UK experienced the ‘hottest spring on record’, the weather has since been a bit grim with heavy rain and strong winds. But the good news is that according to long-range forecasts, we could soon see a ‘Spanish scorcher’ with temperatures exceeding 30C.
But the sunshine and warmer temperatures often marks the return of ants.
The black ant is the most common in the UK and can be spotted in homes and gardens during the summer months. Each colony can contain up to 15,000 of the critters.
Garden experts are now giving advice on the natural ways to keep ants away from your property this summer.
They suggest using household staples such as coffee grounds, chilli powder, vinegar and tea tree oil to create natural barriers which won’t harm the insects – but instead they’ll deter them by disrupting their scent trails.
A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “Ant season tends to start late spring and reaches a peak through June to August.
“Like us, ants love the warmer weather and with the sunny weather set to continue, Britons can expect to see more ant activity in their gardens and home.
“There are natural ways to deter the insects without harming them, which will discourage ants from entering your home and creating scent trails.
“Try sprinkling chilli powder or spraying vinegar around entry points. Ants dislike the strong scents and it disrupts their trails making it harder to find food.
“In the garden, plant mint and lavender. These act as a natural barrier, and will leave your outside space smelling lovely. You could also pot them and place them at entry points including doors, sheds and summerhouses.”
Ants are drawn to food and drink spillages (Image: Denisa Moorehouse / Getty Images)
Here are nine natural ways to deter ants from your home and garden:
Vinegar
Ants don’t like the strong smell of vinegar. It disrupts scent trails making it harder to find food and their way back to their colony. Spray around entry points and where they’re most visible.
Chalk
The calcium carbonate in chalk can mask scent trails. This won’t get rid of the ants but it will confuse them and cause them to look for other paths.
Coffee grounds
Ants don’t like the smell and acidity of coffee grounds and they don’t like the feeling of them underfoot. Create a barrier by sprinkling them around entry points and replace regularly. Once they dry, they become less effective.
Ants don’t like coffee grounds(Image: photovs via Getty Images)Lemon juice
Lemon juice is another effective natural deterrent. Dilute with water and spray at entry points and where you see ant trails. You can use lemon juice to clean floors and work surfaces to deter them from returning.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has a strong scent which ants hate. Try sprinkling at entry points or create a spray with cinnamon oil and water.
Mint
Try growing mint plants near entry points to deter ants, create a spray with peppermint oil and water to use where ants are a problem and scatter chopped leaves where ants are active.
Mint plants can deter ants(Image: Getty Images)Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is another scent which repels ants. Soak cotton wool balls on the oil and place the around entry points. Alternatively create a spray to stop them entering your home.
Chilli powder
As well as disliking the smell of chilli powder, it can also irritate the ants’ skin making it a good deterrent. Either sprinkle the powder or create a spray. However, be careful with this if you have children or pets. Chilli powder on little hands or paws can lead to problems.
Lavender
Lavender is another fragrant plant which can repel ants. Planting in your garden will create a natural barrier, place potted lavender near outdoor seating or other problem areas or make a spray with lavender oil and water.