Armies of ants will start to invade our homes as the weather warms up across the UK. They often set up in kitchens and bathrooms, becoming a nuisance to get rid of.
As professional pest services can be costly, experts are urging people to use a household product that will cost them just 8p to keep ants out. They advise acting quickly to avoid a full-blown invasion of ants over the coming months.
According to Chris Hutton, storage expert and owner of Adams Self Store, peppermint tea bags can help get rid of ants. A box of 20 supermarket own-brands will cost between 95p and £1.50 on average.
Mr Hutton explained: “Most people don’t realise the power of natural deterrents when it comes to pest control. Ants hate the smell of peppermint, as it disrupts their sense of smell and makes it almost impossible for them to locate food sources. It masks their pheromone communication, signalling that your home is unsuitable for them to enter.”
He added that ants often target crumbs and leftovers. However, the smell of peppermint can help deter them from our homes.
He continued: “Ants emerge from their winter hibernation in March as the temperatures are rising; they’re hungry and on the hunt for food. This leads them straight to our homes, where they can find crumbs, spills and tempting leftovers.”
Homeowners are advised to place the teabags near where ants are likely to enter. These include cracks, doorways and underneath or behind appliances. Ants may also target pantries and food storage areas.
The experts also advise keeping your kitchen tidy to help deter ants. This includes regularly wiping down surfaces and keeping food waste to a minimum.
People should also minimise clutter to reduce the amount of hiding spots for ants. Sealing entry points, including windows and doors, can also help to negate the pesky invaders.
