How to get rid of ants in your home for good using just three cheap kitchen ingredients

Picture of ants in a kitchen eating sugar
Many people automatically buy a pesticide, but this method is not cheap and can be dangerous -Credit:Getty


Ants can be a nuisance in warmer weather, but did you know that you can stop them from invading your home with a few simple kitchen cupboard ingredients?

Many people automatically buy a pesticide, but this method is not cheap and can be dangerous if you have pets or children. Ahmed Mezil, a cleaning expert from Hella Maid, has shared that there are many natural ingredients which can effectively kill ants without resorting to toxic chemicals.

He said: "Chemical pesticides might potentially pollute groundwater and kill butterflies, bees, and other important insects when used to get rid of ants.

"Instead, give these natural remedies a try to get free of ants in your house and yard. They are less harmful to the environment, you, your family, and your pets," reports the Express.

How to naturally get rid of ants from your home

If you go online there are many popular natural remedies advised to keep ants away such as white vinegar, lemon juice, cinnamon or black pepper. These methods can work as effective deterrents as their strong smells can confuse ants scent trails, making it more difficult for them to navigate and less likely to stay in that area.

However, these natural remedies are only a temporary fix as they won't exterminate ants or prevent a significant infestation. It's far more effective to use baking soda or baby powder to banish ants from your abode.

Ahmed stated: "Both baking soda and baby powder suffocate ants by blocking their spiracles, which are breathing pores in their exoskeletons. Baking soda will cause an internal chemical reaction in the ant that will kill it if it is consumed."

Ants require moisture to survive, and both baking powder and baby powder absorb moisture rapidly, leading to dehydration. Simply sprinkle baking soda or baby powder where you've spotted numerous ants, or directly onto an anthill or nest if you're aware of its location - just be cautious around grass as it can dry out the soil.

You can also create a barrier with the powder at an indoor entry point to stop ants from entering.

Yet, the most effective method to eliminate ants permanently is to mix either baking powder or baby powder with powdered icing sugar. The sugar serves as bait, luring ants into mistaking it for food, thus making them easier to eradicate.

Ahmed added: "Ants will be drawn to the sugar, consume it, and then carry it back to the nest so that other ants can consume it as well. They'll eat the sugar and baking soda and die."

This natural method is safe to use around children and pets while being one of the most effective ways to keep ants out of your home for good.