With summer well on its way, people in the UK are getting ready to enjoy the heat. Windows are getting opened, picnics are being packed and ants are making their way into our kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. According to the British Pest Control Association, local councils across the UK have carried out over 20,000 ant-related treatments in a single year, highlighting just how widespread and difficult these infestations can be.
If left unchecked, a few ants can quickly become a colony of hundreds, or even thousands, and these infestations can be expensive to deal with. Professional pest control can cost upwards of £165 for an initial visit, with additional treatments costing around £60 each time.
Luckily, Glen Peskett, DIY expert at Saxton Blades, says there’s a quick, cheap and natural alternative, and it’s already in your fridge. Although many people might reach for vinegar when they notice ants infiltrating their homes, Glen says there is another method that works just as well.
He said: “Lemon juice is a brilliant natural ant repellent.
“The strong citrus scent disrupts their scent trails, and the acidity interferes with the pheromones they use to navigate. Just squeeze fresh lemon juice around door frames, windowsills, or anywhere you’ve seen ants coming in.”
This entirely natural method will not only stop ants in their tracks, but keep your home smelling fresh and clean as well.
If you want to try this cheap and easy method to combat ants in your home, here’s how to do it:
Cut a fresh lemon and squeeze the juice into a small bowl or directly onto a cloth or cotton pad. Wipe the juice around known entry points such as cracks, windowsills, doorframes, skirting boards, and under sinks. For extra strength, mix lemon juice with a little water and spray along trails where ants might enter.
