Tips and Tricks to Naturally Ward Off Pesky Ants

I know first hand just how irritating and frustrating invading ants can be. I have also tried everything to get rid of them, and keep them gone. After a lot of asking around, trial and error, and refusing to use chemicals that would put my family at risk, I have accumulated a collection of common household items are all cheap and effective remedies for warding off those pesky ants from your home...

Cinnamon-
Ants hate the smell of cinnamon, but you will probably love it. Just sprinkle some cinnamon where you see ants and they will turn the other way.

Plants-
If you love to garden, try planting a few plants that are known to keep those pesky pest from entering your home. You may also stick a few in planters and set them about your house to help ward them off. Plants that really deter ants include onion, mint and spearmint, southernwood, and tansy.

Vinegar-
Ants really hate the sour taste and smell of vinegar. Just splash a little around door and window frames, under appliances, and anywhere else you have noticed ants marching. It should discourage them.

Baby oil-
Keep those ants out of cabinets and off of your counter with baby oil. Apply it anywhere you see them marching and it will make the surface too slippery for them. Eventually, after you repeat the baby oil trick, they will likely give up and move on.

Lemons-
Ants really don't like the smell of lemons. You can squeeze the juice into cracks or holes where ants are getting in. Squeeze about four lemons into your wash water, then toss in the rinds too, next time you scrub the floors for a great repellent with added freshness. Lemons have also been known to help with roaches and fleas.

Salt-
Ants don't like salt either... just find out where there entering your house and put a layer of salt there to keep them from coming in. You can also sprinkle some inside of your drawers and cabinets to keep them out. This worked wonders for me, along with cloves and bay leaves...

Cloves-
These are great as a lasting anti-ant proofing tool. Just place some bay leaves or whole cloves in corners of your cupboard shelves and windowsills. They stay fresh up to a full year and will foil any ant invasion.

Bay leaves-
Ants can't stand the smell of bay leaves and these are good for keeping ants out of your sugar and flour containers. Just throw a couple in each to keep the ants out of them.

Baby powder-
If you can find where ants are coming in to your home you can place a layer of baby powder there to keep ants out. It smells good, is safe for children, and wont attract other pest, but ants wont crawl through the powder.

More...
Ants usually will not cross a line of flour, bone meal, powdered charcoal, cream of tarter, red chili pepper, paprika, or dried peppermint. You can use the same technique as with the baby powder to create your own barrier and keep them outside.