There is nothing fun about waking up one morning only to face a swarming stream of ants as you try to prep your coffee. When confronted with the need for immediate ant control, what are your options in Oakville? You can dress and head out to the nearest hardware store, call for pest control service, or check your pantry for some of these practical, all-natural ant control treatments instead.
Mint
Not sure what to do with all that mint you grew this summer? Well, you’re in luck because peppermint is a natural insect repellant and creepy crawlies like ants and spiders can’t stand the smell! Combine 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil with 2 cups of water to create a safe and effective insect repellant. Spray it liberally around your home every few weeks paying particular attention to doorways and other access points.
Vinegar
While completely safe for humans, vinegar is potent enough to kill many household pests on contact. Simply mix a 50/50 water-vinegar solution and spray directly on the pest, and wipe them away with a paper towel. Add in a few drops of your preferred essential oil – tea tree is a great option – and your vinegar solution can work equally well as an insect deterrent for use around windows and doors.
Lemon Juice
Similar to using vinegar around your home as a bug deterrent, the acidity content of lemon juice works equally well at eliminating the scent trails ants and other insects use to trace their steps to and from your home. If you are using fresh lemon juice, dilute one part lemon juice with three parts water into a spray bottle and spray around the entire perimeter of your home. Don’ forget about the entryways and windowsills.
Cinnamon
People might love the smell of cinnamon, but ants can’t stand it. Inhaling cinnamon suffocates and kills pests on contact. You can trace the line of ants back to their anthill sprinkling cinnamon around the mound along their path to create a wall at the point of where they are entering your home.
Cayenne Pepper
Ants also hate pepper including cayenne, so even simple black pepper can be used as an ant repellent. Just like you would with cinnamon, sprinkle pepper along the ant’s trail and around their nest to create a barrier from blocking them from accessing your home. You can also create a water-based solution to use with a spray bottle but just be mindful that pepper can be an irritant for humans as well.
When you need a quick solution to an immediate ant problem, chances are you may very possibly have the right ingredients available. If these natural remedies don’t solve your pest infestation, consult a professional for proven ant control options Oakville has to offer