Getting Rid of Ants – Natural Ways to Keep Them Out
WouterGetting rid of ants is a great way to protect your home from pests. While there are many chemicals that you can use to kill ants, there are also natural ways to keep them out.
One of the most effective ant repellents is table salt. Mixing boiling water with a little table salt can drive ants away. Another natural ant repellent is cinnamon.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that cinnamon is a safe and effective ant deterrent. The chemical compound in cinnamon, trans-cinnamaldehyde, is known to have properties that can deter ants. You can make cinnamon powder more effective by combining it with essential oils.
Borax is another effective ant repellent. The boron in borax disrupts the digestive system of ants when they ingest it. You can buy borax at a local hardware store or online. However, if you have children or pets, it is best to keep borax away from these areas.
Another natural ant repellent is cayenne pepper. Sprinkle cayenne around baseboards, around appliances, and around any entry points.
Ants can enter your home through holes in the wall or through cracks in caulk. You can seal these areas with cement or caulk.
To keep ants from gaining access to your outdoor trash bins, you should keep them 10 feet away from your home. You should also clean your bins regularly with a strong ammonia solution.
Another great way to keep ants away is to use chalk. The calcium carbonate in chalk confuses ants. You can also use boric acid, which is a more processed form of borax.
