WITH spring finally here, we can finally say hello to blue skies and warmer days.
But the lush weather and brighter nights unfortunately also brings the annual chaos of ant infestations.
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It’s around this time of year that ants begin to search for food post-hibernation.
And if you’ve already spotted ants crawling around your home, fear not, we’ve got you covered.
Luckily for you, a storage expert has shared a simple trick that’ll ensure you wave goodbye to ants for good this spring.
And if the cost of living crisis has meant that your purse feels tighter than ever before, fear not, as this handy hack is super affordable.
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In fact, it’ll cost you just 3p – yes, you heard that correctly.
And you’ll need to take action now if you want a home that’s ant-free, as for those unlucky Brits who don’t tackle the ant problem head-on, it can escalate to a manic infestation before you know it.
Not only this, but you’ll also find yourself hit with hundreds of pounds of pest control bills, as on average, it costs £165 for an initial visit, and around £60 per additional visit.
According to Chris Hutton, storage expert and owner of Adams Self Store, baking powder alone is almost redundant when it comes to banishing ants.
Instead, Chris urges homeowners to combine a second pantry ingredient to ‘almost-guarantee’ removal – icing sugar.
Chris explained: “You might think an ant or two might not be a problem, but they will quickly alert their friends that your home is the place to be.
“Before you know it, you could have a whole colony living in your kitchen.
“Killing them when you see them isn’t sufficient; you need to destroy the nest or warn the scouting ants to avoid your home.”
According to Chris, his “simple solution” ensures that ants who make it back to the nest take the poison home, “ensuring that ants don’t want to return.”
Mind-blowing ants
Ants are fascinating critters with some very unique skills and traits.
There are actually more than 12,000 different types of ant in the world.
They are also the longest living insect around.
While some insects only live for a couple of days, Pogonomyrmex Owyheei ant can live up to 30 years.
It’s also well-known that ants are one of the strongest creatures around compared to their size.
A single ant can lift objects up to 50 times its own weight.
Ants don’t have ears – and some don’t have eyes either.
Instead, they rely on vibrations to detect what’s around them.
For the eye-less ants, they use their antennae to communicate with other ants.
They can also send a chemical signal, telling nest mates of possible dangers or to win over a potential lover.
The pro continued: “Ants come out of their winter hibernation in March as the temperatures rise, they’re hungry and on the hunt for food.
“This leads them straight to our homes, where there’s leftover food and crumbs for them to feast on.”
Get mixing
According to Chris, all you’ll need to do is “simply mix one part baking powder and one part icing sugar in a bowl.”
Then, “sprinkle it around potential trails and near entry points and wait for the magic to happen.”
Chris acknowledged that this method works so well because the sugar attracts the ants with its sweet smell, while the baking powder, hidden in plain sight, does the dirty work.
Before you know it, you could have a whole colony living in your kitchen
Chris Hutton
Once the ants take the sugary treat back to the nest, the whole colony will consume the baking soda, which will kill off the nest.
If your cupboards are looking empty, you can nab a 500g bag of icing sugar for just 90p, while a 170g baking powder will cost you 65p.
You’ll need to mix 5g of each, costing just 3p in total.
Chris urged homeowners to “be patient” with this process.
Why do ants come inside the house?
WITH the whole of the world to explore, it can be frustrating to see ants make their way into your home.
Fabulous’ Associate Editor, Rebecca Miller, is a gardening enthusiast, and she explains why the pesky critters like to come inside.
“When ants are outside, in the garden, I don’t consider them to be a pest. In fact, ants play a vital role in the ecosystem, so finding them crawling around your outdoor space should be celebrated.
“Ants aerate and fertilise the soil, as well as control other pest populations by preying on plant-eating insects.
“But they can be a nuisance when they get into your home, and they can encourage other pests like aphids to join them.
“As for why these annoying insects want to come inside your home, ants may try to find their way into your home in search of food and water.
“They aren’t fussy when it comes to what foods they are attracted to. Any fruit, crumbs, or pet food left out can encourage them inside.
“So remember to clean up any food spills, sweep the floor for crumbs regularly, and give your backdoor and windows a quick wipe down and tidy to deter them.”
He stressed that this “isn’t an instant solution” and “will take a few days for their numbers to decrease”.
It’s also crucial you ensure to keep topping the mixture up when the levels go down.
Prevent ants before they become a problem
Not only this, but Chris shared three other tips to prevent ants before they become a problem.
Firstly, it’s important that you maintain cleanliness.
Make sure to keep any excess belongings away to eliminate hiding spots and food sources
Chris Hutton
Homeowners will need to keep surfaces and floors clean to deter ants from even wanting to visit your home.
Secondly, reducing clutter is essential.
Chris advised: “Make sure to keep any excess belongings away to eliminate hiding spots and food sources.”
Finally, don’t forget to seal entry points.
Chris recommended: “Find and seal any cracks around your doors and windows, this is an open invitation for ants. Caulk is a budget-friendly DIY solution for this.”
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