Ants in our property
- Admin
- August 27, 2024
Ants are small insects that usually do not cause problems and do not cause any emotions in our country when we meet them outside. However, they can "invade" our property and automatically become enemy number 1. Of course, do not panic, because you can get rid of them really quickly and easily without using strong and toxic preparations. Let's give a little more clarity about how they function. Ants are social insects and as such "hunt" in flocks. They live in anthills where there is a strict hierarchy or in other words what we see in our home are just the workers.Hierarchy also determines the ant's life. In other words, the queen can live up to 30 years and the workers up to 5 years. Males that serve for fertilization, however, do not survive more than 2-3 months. The queen mother stands in the anthill and cares for its well-being, as well as providing for the offspring of her colony. Now let's get to the point... ants come as "guests" in the summer and rarely without reason. Sometimes, of course, the solution to the problem is simple and it is enough to remove the food or anything that attracts them, but in some cases it is very difficult to find the reason why you have these uninvited guests at home. Yes, ants do not bite and do not transmit diseases, but it is terrible for them to settle in our home. Let's now find out how to get rid of them with home remedies.
1. Vinegar. Ants hate vinegar not because they don't like its taste, no. They fear the effect of vinegar on their overall organization. What do I mean? We all know how these insects follow one another in a strictly defined order, and they are forbidden to break this order in any way. In this way, a complex structure is built, which is the result of the specific odors that each ant leaves behind, thus forming a trail that serves as a guide for the other workers. Vinegar greatly disrupts these pheromones and so the ant can very easily lose track of where it is. This method does not always work, but it has saved me many times from this invasion. It is enough to spray a little vinegar on the path of the ants, as well as on the place where they enter your home. Of course, if you don't want to expel the ants and your friends and guests, I advise you to dilute the vinegar a little with water so that its smell is not so strong. And while we're on the subject of smells, it's worth mentioning that cinnamon, black and red pepper are also repellent to small insects and act on them in a similar way to vinegar.
2. Salt. I know this from my grandparents. They found a way to deal with the ants, and although none of them could explain to me exactly how salt works, science today is adamant that salt's ability to absorb odors like a sponge can confuse ants. Build a "wall" of salt around the entrance from which the ants enter. This is enough of a sign to show the little critters that they are not welcome in your home.
3. Chalk. The principle of action of chalk is similar to that of salt. It contains calcium carbonate, which is also able to confuse the ants that move along the invisible path in a row. Outline the entrance of the ants and see for yourself the effect.
4. Essential oils. Your beauty cabinet can hide much more than beauty products. There may be a real panacea hiding there, which will expel the little intruders. Peppermint and cinnamon oil is simply unbearable for these pests, so spray in several places in the room. This way you will create a protective barrier, and besides, the aroma of mint will help your nervous system to calm down. Some of you may think that instead of wondering what products to drive the ants out of, it is enough to simply plug the small hole through which enter, but this is not the case at all. Ants are stubborn and most likely very soon they will find another place to enter.
As you can see, there are many ways to repel ants with natural means. However, if nothing works and you need to be tougher to destroy them, the options are just as numerous. Although I personally prefer peace, sometimes it comes to war, and in war everything is allowed. Let's talk a little about "heavy artillery".
Special preparations based on boric acid.No matter if they are flying ants, red ants or any other kind they would surely kill the ants mercilessly. However, if you do not have such products at hand, you can use any cleaning agent that you have at home. They are extremely harmful to us and small insects such as ants are deadly. You can use a degreaser or another aggressive preparation. Purely strategically, the best option is to find the "beast's lair", i.e. the anthill, where you can put a special solution, gasoline, oil or preferably boiling water. However, fuel is not a recommended option as it would have a destructive effect on the flora and fauna in the anthill's surroundings.
We all understand that ants have no chance in a collision with a person and it is quite possible to reach their complete destruction. However, it is worth saying something in favor of these little creatures. Few people realize that it is actually in it is in our interest to take care of the population of these insects. So for example these creatures are more effective than 90% of pesticides or in other words they feed on other insects that destroy agricultural crops. Another example of the benefits of ants is seed dispersal around the world. Also, anthills make the soil looser and thus provide oxygen, which is so important for all plant roots. I hope you understand that if possible do not resort to killing the ants, just drive them away.