Cheap fridge staple is 'powerful ant deterrent' but it won't actually harm them

If you're dealing with pesky ants in your home but don't want to resort to killing them, an affordable fridge essential could be your perfect solution. With the arrival of (somewhat) warmer weather, we all look forward to spending more time outdoors in beer gardens or having backyard barbeques.

However, the increasing temperatures also bring something less welcome: the start of insect season. Finding a trail of ants in your kitchen can be a distressing sight for many homeowners. These insects cleverly communicate through pheromones - a chemical substance which leads one ant to another.

If you're determined to dissolve your ant issue without causing harm to these insects, an easy and economical life hack may just be at hand. As outlined in The Express, lemons can encourage an entire ant colony to relocate from your house by serving as a "powerful deterrent", providing a humane solution to the problem.

Get the latest What's On news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp

Although the ants might not appreciate the lemon encounter, it allows them to continue their journey without any harm while enabling them to 'set up shop' elsewhere, reports the Mirror. Pest control specialist Jordan Foster from Fantastic Pest Control has shared a simple citrus solution to deter ants.

All you need, according to Foster, are a few lemons, and perhaps some water for more persistent problems. Start by locating where ants are entering your home, then squeeze the juice of an entire lemon over these entry points.

Next, place the lemon peels near the entrances, refreshing them daily. If ants persist, mix the juice of four lemons with one litre of water and spray it around their access points. Foster explains the effectiveness of this method: "Ants and other insects hate the smell of citrus and will go to great lengths to avoid it.

"The acidic nature of lemon juice also destroys scent trails," ensuring that while it doesn't kill the ants, it does "force the colony to relocate".