Article Surfing Archive

Ants are pests in the house. In the home common ants aren'tharmful but they are a nuisance.

There are many natural repellants which can be used todiscourage ants from kitchen counters, pantries, and otherareas where food lures them in.

As a first step try to prevent the ants from entering thehouse.

Use less chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the lawn andgardens. These cause an imbalance in the biological makeupof the soil. Stressed soil and plants attract ants.

Many species of ants like to drink honeydew from aphids. Ifgood control of aphids in plants and gardens near houses isexercised, ants will be less numerous. Ants seem to dislikespearmint, tansy, and pennyroyal. Plant these near thehouse to keep ants away. Sweet fern is particularly dislikeby red ants.

A simple recipe to repel ants can be made by adding to aneight ounce bottle of mild liquid soap one ounce each ofcitronella, pennyroyal, peppermint, cinnamon, rose and teaoil. Mix together and add three tablespoons to two cups ofwater. Spray where ants are entering the house. This theformula can be used to wash down counters in the kitchen butonly use one-half tablespoon to two cups of water.

Spray trash and recycling bins if ants are a problem there.

For anthills near the house pour boiling water into thenest.

Once ants have entered the house, other measures have to betaken. Pennyroyal, tansy, and mint leaves scattered onsurfaces where ants are found can be used as a deterrent.Bay leaves broken in small pieces is also helpful.

Some people have found a mixture of the followingingredients helpful in repelling ants. One cup water, one-fourth cup plus one tablespoon hot sauce,, one-fourth cutliquid soap, and one teaspoon spearmint of peppermintflavoring. Put in a spray bottle and spray where ants enterthe house.

Washing down counters with an equal solution of vinegar andwater is repulsive to ants.

Powdered cloves or red pepper sprinkled on surface whereants are found serves as an excellent repellant. Ants areextremely fastidious and will not return to where these hotspices can get on their feet and antennae.

If it not too inconvenient, sticky fly paper placed instrategic areas will capture crawling ants.

Perhaps one of the most unusual substances used thatdiscourages ants from pantry shelves are broken egg shells.

Lastly, clean up all food after eating for it is the crumbsthat attracts the ants.