Ants invade your kitchen: Natural strategies to combat pests
Ants are some of the most determined residents of our homes. However, due to their small size and ability to move through the tiniest cracks, effectively eliminating them is very difficult. What attracts them to our kitchens, exactly, and how can we combat them naturally?
6:46 AM EDT, August 9, 2024
Despite their innocent appearance, ants can cause chaos even in the cleanest kitchens. They infiltrate our homes through the tiniest gaps, forming organized colonies that drain our supplies. Eliminating ants from homes is not easy because their nests are often well-hidden. By carefully observing their movement trajectory, the source of their appearance can be found. Once the center of the ant nest is located, proven methods can be applied to eliminate these pesky insects.
What attracts ants to our homes?
Ants are particularly interested in food, hence their presence in kitchens. Open packages, food remnants, or unsecured food containers are attractive food sources for them. These insects enter homes through gaps in doors, windows, or pipes and cracks in walls or foundations.
If an ant nest is found near the house, for example, in the garden or yard, there is a high risk that ants will find their way inside the building. Sometimes, these insects infiltrate homes for shelter from adverse weather conditions, such as floods, droughts, or heavy storms.
What do ants dislike?
One of the simplest ways to eliminate ants from the house is to use cinnamon. Just sprinkle this spice in places where ants have appeared. These insects cannot stand the smell of cinnamon, so they leave areas where they detect it. This method also works in the garden – sprinkling cinnamon on ant nests repels the ants. Additionally, the strong smell of cinnamon also repels mosquitoes.
Another way to get rid of ants is vinegar, which effectively repels insects. Simply mix vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio and pour the resulting liquid into a spray bottle. Then, spray the mixture in places where ants frequently appear. Vinegar will erase the insects' scent and discourage them from following established paths.
