7 ways to get rid of ants in the kitchen

“If one day the ants attack you, don’t care. After all, you are sweet!” Do you remember that traditional phrase in the old “remembering notebooks”?

The phrase was very successful back then, but today, unless you’re a biologist, you certainly don’t see any fun in having ants in your life, even more so in your kitchen.

Even if you keep everything very clean, it is not uncommon for these insects to appear in your kitchen and attack food that is out of the fridge.

Urban ant species feed on sugar and protein, so it’s in their nature to head to environments rich in these nutrients.

But that doesn’t mean you should simply roll out the red carpet to welcome these intruders. Here are 7 ways to get rid of ants in your kitchen:

1. Detergent trick

Mix one part water and one part detergent and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture in corners, crevices, and other spaces that could harbor ant nests.

2. Vinegar

After cleaning the kitchen, spray vinegar on the floor, especially in the corners, to prevent bugs from appearing.

3. Protect your sugar bowl

To prevent the damn ants from invading your sugar bowl, always put a piece of lemon or orange peel inside it. Cloves also work.

4. Clove and cinnamon sachets

Fill tulle bags with cloves or cinnamon sticks and spread around the room. The essential oils in these ingredients drive away ants. Don’t forget to change the sachets every two weeks.

5. Cayenne pepper and coffee grounds

If you know where the hole where the ants come out is, cover it with a portion of cayenne pepper or coffee grounds – the latter is more suitable for homes with children or animals, as it will not cause unpleasant reactions if swallowed.

6. Lemon juice

Scare ants away by smearing lemon juice on the edges of windows and on doorframes that are exposed to the outside of the house. The citrus smell is not pleasant for these insects.

7. Vaseline

To prevent ants from attacking your pet’s food and water pots, apply a small amount of Vaseline to the edges.

Other tips to prevent ants from appearing are to keep food covered, immediately clean up any residue that falls on the floor or other surfaces, clean under appliances and keep trash cans tightly closed. If none of this resolves, however, the solution will be to call a pest control company.

Have you ever had to face an ant invasion in your house? Did you manage to scare away the “visits” or are they still around? Leave your tip!