Ants will find it ‘impossible’ to enter your home with 1 natural kitchen item they ‘hate’ (Image: Getty)
will become more apparent in from March and will be foraging for food, particularly sweet substances. While ants do not pose a risk to human health, they can be a nuisance when present in large numbers. Ants will almost certainly be coming from several nests at this time, so locating one nest and destroying it will have a limited effect on the level of annoyance.
A lack of preparation and ignoring those early warning signs can quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation, and professional services can be costly—they can cost £165 for an initial visit and around £60 per additional visit. However, before you reach for expensive, chemical insecticides or call in to avoid the issue, experts have urged households to try a kitchen essential that’s cheap and rats “hate”.
:
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Ants will become more apparent in homes from March and will be foraging for food (Image: Getty)
According to Chris Hutton, storage expert and owner of Adams Self Store, this common household item can effectively deter ants – peppermint tea bags.
He said: “Most people don’t realise the power of natural deterrents when it comes to pest control.”
He noted that “ants hate the smell of peppermint” as it disrupts their sense of smell and “makes it almost impossible” for them to enter homes and locate food sources.
Adam added: “It masks their pheromone communication, signalling that your home is unsuitable for them to enter.”
Don’t miss… [ADVICE] [EXPERT] [TIPS]
The scent of peppermint teabags makes it impossible for ants to enter homes (Image: Getty)
To use peppermint teabags to deter ants, place the unused item near cracks and doorways where ants are likely to enter your home, underneath or behind appliances and inside pantry cabinets or near food storage areas.
Remember, it only takes one ant to discover a food source and leave a pheromone trail, inviting hundreds or even thousands of its friends to join the feast.
Alternatively, if you have peppermint oil on hand, this can also be used, perhaps as part of your cleaning routine.
Add five to 10 drops of high-quality peppermint oil to the cleaning solution. You can adjust the number of drops based on your preference for the strength of the peppermint scent.
Stir or shake the solution thoroughly to ensure the peppermint oil is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
When spraying the solution, focus on areas prone to ant activity or where you have previously spotted ants. The kitchen countertops, sinks, windowsills, and other places where food particles or moisture may accumulate are typical hotspots for ant attraction.