Nothing is more unpleasant than finding a ants nest in the kitchen cupboards. Sugar box, packets of cakes or candies and other food attract them. It is therefore necessary to act quickly, but not with just any product. We forget the insecticides as dangerous for our health as for the planet, but we take control of all the natural and ecological anti-ant solutions.
Why favor natural solutions against ants?
The planet is fed up with having to suffer the pollution we inflict on it and which we also bear the brunt of. Itou with chemicals of all kinds that allow us to eliminate small critters that sometimes swarm inside as much as outside. Moreover, we treat so all-out that our homes are much more polluted than the outside. That is to say !
Admittedly, regularly suffering from ant colonies is not really pleasant, and it is legitimate to want to eradicate them, or at least keep them away from our little bubble (garden/house, balcony/apartment). But in this case, we act with some respect by using only natural anti-ant solutions that respect the environment.
Chalk, a great ant repellent
Chalk has no equal in creating a barrier impassable by ants. It is very easy to use since it does not require no preparation particular. It is enough to draw one or two lines of chalk on the ground, on the terrace, the driveway, the balcony or in front of the threshold of the house and on the edges of windows to prevent the intrusion of ants. This is radical. After a good rain, it is of course necessary to repeat the operation because the chalk is simply erased with water.
Black soap to eradicate ants
Multiusage, black soap is unconditional in the garden as well as at home because it is, among other things, the enemy of ants but also mealybugs and aphids. For eliminate ants permanently, it is necessary to dilute the black soap in boiling water according to the dosage indicated by the manufacturer, clearly on the packaging. Then simply pour this still very hot mixture over the ant nest or colony.
Baking soda to keep ants away
The hydrogen carbonate of soda costs only a few euros and does a lot of service without harming the environment. Putting this white powder on the passage of the ants is enough to see them clear off in a short time.
Lemon peel against ant nests
L’acidity lemon does not please the ants. You can put zest on their nest and pour the juice of a squeezed lemon.
Fresh basil leaves to naturally dislodge ants
We kill two birds with one stone with the potted basil since he is also effective against ants delicious in the kitchen and virtuous for our health. If we appreciate its flavor and smell, this is far from being the case with these Hymenoptera. A few leaves placed judiciously on the passage of the ants are enough to scare them away.
Glue to protect fruit trees against ants
It’s a pity to give up the harvest of fruits because they are infested with ants. To protect the trees in the orchard, strips of glue to stick on the tree trunks can be obtained from garden centres. This natural solution prevents ants from climbing up to the fruit and also acts as a barrier to many other insects.
Coffee grounds against ants
We no longer throw away the full filters after having prepared the coffee, but we recover the grounds that we place as is at the foot of the plants. This allows to force the ants away without killing them. Coffee grounds are therefore a natural and ecological insect repellent solution which ultimately costs nothing.
Essential oils to drive away ants
Essential oils in water floor washing deodorize the house and prevent ants from invading the premises. Good results are obtained with true lavender essential oil (80 drops of lavender essential oil for 10 liters of very hot water).
Ants also don’t like the smell of:
- Cinnamon essential oil,
- Peppermint essential oil.
A few drops can simply be placed near windows and doors to keep ants away.
Ants, prevention is better than cure!
We can start by adopting preventive attitudes so as not to have to fight against colonies of ants which invade the garden as much as the terrace, the balcony and the cupboards of the kitchen.
Some species of ants feed on honeydew what the aphids on plants, to the point that they raise them to take full advantage of this substance. It is therefore necessary to first resort to a antipuceron naturel and ecological so as not to encourage the installation of these ants.
This is the case of black soap and of thecrushed garlic which is mixed with water. Then just spray the plants to control aphids. As for the coffee grounds directly sprinkled at the foot of infested plants, it gives an excellent result against aphids, ants but also against snails and it also repels cats in a completely natural way.
In the kitchen, it is better not to leave any groceries in plastic bags because the ants manage to pierce them. The ideal is to store everything in glass jars with airtight lids or in iron boxes that close perfectly. It’s effective in protecting food against ants, it’s much more decorative than sachets and it reduces our waste.
Dislodge ants, yes but not excessively
The ant plays an important role in the garden. She actively participates in the pollinationhelps earthworms to aerate the earth et eliminates many parasites on which it feeds. This is why it is not always justified to eradicate an anthill. Before acting, even if you use natural anti-ant solutions, you must first use common sense because that is ecological.
We therefore only intervene if the small animals invade the terrace, balcony and house, or if the fruits, vegetables and flowers in the garden are really colonized. Let’s not forget that bees have suffered the onslaught of pesticides and other pests for several decades, and today we see the deplorable result on ecosystems. So, get rid of ants, ok but in moderation!