No one wants critters in their home, no matter what shape or size they come in. Though, they may seem quite harmless, having an ant problem in your home is not ideal. While there are a lot of options for ant control in Melbourne, there are a few simple methods of prevention that can be utilised to ward off ants from one’s home. Here are five remedies that you can do at home to help keep your home free and clear of ants.
1. Chalk
Believe it or not, chalk is a great way of keeping ants at bay. That is because chalk has calcium carbonate in it, which is a natural way of keeping ants away. Start by either drawing or spraying powdered chalk in areas that are entry points for ants. What’s crazy is that the ants will stop at the line. It isn’t a great barrier for much else, but with a little chalk, ants will adhere to the lines you draw.
2. Peppermint
Unbeknownst to most, peppermint is a great insect repellent. In fact, they keep a lot more than ants from invading your home. Peppermint is quite strong and ants simply cannot tolerate the smell. You can mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil into a cup of water and then sprinkle or spray it in the areas where you know ants are likely to enter.
3. Limit Access to Food
There is a good general rule that when you leave sources of food – food scraps, open garbage containers, crumbs – you are inviting any number of creatures to that food source. Ants are no different. They are attracted to most foods, and in particular sweeter and more starchy items such as honey and sugar, so keeping anything containing those items sealed tightly is always a good idea. Finally, make sure that you are vacuuming or sweeping up crumbs as food debris left on a floor can easily attract unwanted ants into your home.
4. Citrus Fruits
Any citrus fruit that has natural acidic properties will also work in keeping ants away. If you either squeeze a lemon where you know ants are entering, this will act as a natural repellent for them. Adding a little lemon juice to your water when you wash floors will also help to keep ants away.
5. White Vinegar
There may be no more versatile household ingredient than white vinegar. It is a key part of just about any homemade cleaning solution under the sun. But because it is also quite pungent, ants usually can’t tolerate it. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water and simply sprinkle it at points where ants are entering or known to enter.
Say Goodbye to Your Ant Problem
These simple tips using common household items will go a long way to ant-proofing your home. If your ant problem persists though, seek the advice or help of a pest control maintenance professional who can further guide you or take measures to extinguish ants and keep your home protected.
If you are looking for trusted and reliable ant pest control in Melbourne, then Positive Pest Solutions is your answer. A licensed and fully insured pest control company, our team of professionals believe in delivering nothing short of stellar services to our customers and clients. With up-to-date knowledge in the industry, you can rely on us to partner with you in creating pest-free homes and businesses – so get in touch with us for a free quote now.
