ANT-Proof Your Kitchen

Ants invaded our kitchen recently. They're in our bedroom. They're under our bed mattress. They're crawling under our bath towels. They're hiding beneath our drawers. Worst of all, they're hidden in our pants and underwears. Ants are EVERYWHERE! 

Using an insect spray didn't help much. Our room just got filled with the toxic smell of the insect killer. It gave me a headache. 

There are practical ways to avoid or get rid of ants. The good news is, you already have the ant control remedies right inside your home or just sitting inside your cupboard for so long. Amazingly, these kitchen or household items saves you time and money. 

You can try these remedies yourselves. If one doesn't work, then try another one. 


BOILING WATER 
If you see an anthill in your garden, place the flowerpot upside-down over it. Pour boiling water through the drain hole. It will drown and kill the ants.


CHALK

Draw a line around doorways or any entry points where ants normally cross. The chalk has a non-toxic substance that repel ants called, "calcium carbonate". You may also scatter powdered chalk around garden plants. 

 

FLOUR
Sprinkle flour on the ant's trail. The flour, for some reason, repels ants.  
 
 

LEMONS 
Send out a message to these army of ants that they are not welcome to your home. Give them the lemon treatment. Spray some lemon juice or scatter small slices of lemon peel on doorways and windowsills. Squeeze lemon juice into any holes, cracks or crevices where ants go.

Also, lemons are effective against cockroaches and fleas. In 2 liters of water, mix the juice of at least 4 lemons (along with the rinds). Mop or wash your floor with it. Fleas and cockroaches are believed to hate the smell.  

ORANGES
In one cup of water, make a smooth puree of the orange peel. Pour the solution over into anthills. 

PEPPER 
Give the ants some pepper treatment, too. Just sprinkle a small amount of pepper into the ants trail or into spots where they normally cross. 

PLASTIC CONTAINERS
To keep ants away from the picnic table, place each table leg in a plastic container. Fill the containers with water. 

SALT AND SPICES
End the ant parade by sprinkling salt directly across their paths. Ants seem easily discouraged by the salt barrier. 

Make use of your spices inside your cupboard. Put some bay leaf inside the sugar container or tape the leaf to the inside of the canister lid. Bay leaf, stick cinnamon or whole garlic cloves discourages ant invasion. They smell pleasant, too.


VINEGAR

Give ants a drink of vinegar, too. Place vinegar (white or apple cider) in a spray bottle and spray on areas where ants go. 

If you are growing fruits and vegetables in your garden, you may trap and kill ants with this technique:

1. Mix one cup of apple cider vinegar and one cup sugar inside a one liter bottle of softdrink.
2. Add one cup of cold water. 
3. Add banana peel (cut into small pieces).
4. Shake the mixture.  
5. Hang the bottle at the tree branch or place on the ground to trap and kill ants.  
6. Replace the mixture as necessary.  

We have pets inside our house. Their food bowls are often invaded by ants. To keep these insects away from pet food dishes, here are some helfpul tips:

ALUMINUM-FOIL BAKING PAN

• Fill the aluminum-foil baking pan with half an inch of water.
• Place the pet food dish at the center.
• It should keep the insects away. 

PETROLEUM JELLY

• Rub the petroleum jelly at the sides of the pet food bowl.
• The ants will not cross over that sticky petroleum jelly. 

SERVE FRESH   If you don't like these techniques, it is always safe to serve your pet food fresh and warm. As soon as they finish eating, clean and set aside the pet food bowl. Serve only enough food for pets to finish. Leftovers are not practical and these invites more guest insects.

      

Reference: 
Readers Digest, "Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things," ©2005