How to Get Rid of Ants Nest in the House
Are you looking for a simple solution on how to get rid of ants in the house? From peppermint oil to ground coffee, there are plenty of natural homemade remedies you can try to help keep the pesky insects at bay.
Ants are social insects that live in colonies, so it's unlikely you'll find just one. While they aren't harmful or explicitly dangerous, and cannot cause any real damage to your home, they are a nuisance as they can quickly build up in numbers.
Black ants are the species you're most likely to find in UK gardens, and they're also regularly seen indoors, drawn to areas where they will find a food source — they have a taste for sugary substances, so will quite happily forage for food in your kitchen.
'If you want to get rid of them, there are plenty of ways to do so without having to rely on chemical solutions. Coffee grounds, glass cleaner and white vinegar have all proved to be effective in killing ant colonies,' explain the team at Gardening Express.
Not sure where to begin? Take a look at the seven simple things you can try below:
1. Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are a great way to naturally deter ants without harming them. Grab a handful of dried coffee and create a 'barrier' for the ants so they can't pass through – try sprinkling the coffee grounds on disposable surfaces, and around pet bowls and plants. You can also place them on windowsills. Because of its crunchy texture, the ants won't like the feeling underfoot.
Carlo Van Stek / EyeEm Getty Images
2. Glass cleaner and liquid detergent
If you're reluctant to use toxic baits, another way to keep the ants away is to mix glass cleaner and liquid detergent together. Simply place in a spray bottle and spritz around the ant-infested area. Wipe down the area after spraying, leaving a light residue. This remedy works by cleverly removing the scented pheromone trail they leave behind when they walk.
3. Pepper
Ants hate the strong scent of pepper, so this is also a great natural alternative to consider. Simply take some pepper (cayenne pepper or black pepper) and sprinkle around entry points in your home. 'This remedy to ant infestation is completely natural and safe. Anecdotal evidence suggests that sprinkling pepper around baseboards and behind appliances may help keep ants at bay,' adds the team at Gardening Express.
skhoward Getty Images
4. Tea tree oil
Mix together 5-10 drops of tea tree oil with a little water and place into a spray bottle. Simply spritz around the areas where ants are dominating and you'll soon see immediate effects. Another tip is to soak cotton wool balls in tea tree oil and place them around entry points in the home — ants won't like the smell.
Gardening Express explains: 'Like most essential oils, you should keep tea tree oil out of reach of pets, especially cats, who can become very ill if exposed.'
BUY NOW
5. Peppermint
Peppermint oil and mint leaves are another great way to put off the pesky insects from entering your home. Consider spraying peppermint close to dustbins, compost heaps or doors to the garden.
'Mix 10-20 drops of peppermint essential oil with two cups of water, then spray the mixture around the baseboards and windows of your home.'
BUY NOW
wmaster890 Getty Images
6. White vinegar
An effective way to get rid of ants is to spray white vinegar and water on areas around the home and garden. If you have a reoccurring ant problem, try using diluted vinegar to clean hard surfaces, including floors and counter tops, around your home — this will keep them at bay.
7. Boiling water
A quick trick for getting rid of an ant nest is to pour boiling water into any ant holes. 'Anthills may appear small, but the colonies underneath them can be huge in comparison,' says Gardening Express.
Remember to be careful with the hot water, especially if you have young children or pets playing outside.
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
SIGN UP
23 stylish garden accessories to spruce up your outdoor space
Outdoor Mirror - Best Garden Accessories
Creekwood Mirror
Creekwood amazon.co.uk
£44.91
Plant Stand - Best Garden Accessories
Barrington Plant Stand
Barrington gardentrading.co.uk
£120.00
Display your collection of plants, flowers and herbs with the Barrington Plant Stand. This three-tiered unit has shelves of varying depths allowing you to arrange the larger pots on the bottom, and smaller at the top.
Fireplace - Best Garden Accessories
Outdoor Iron Fireplace with Grill,
Create an ambience, keep warm and even cook all on the same piece of furniture: an iron fireplace. Not only does it look super-chic, it's as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing.
Hanging Chair - Best Garden Accessories
Abbingt Hanging Chair
If you can't quite get on board with a hammock (literally) then a hanging chair is the next best (if not better) option. It's the grown-ups version of a hammock and means you don't need two trees to tie it to.
Garden Lanterns - Best Garden Accessories
Solar Lanterns
Tom-shine amazon.co.uk
£29.83
These outdoor solar lanterns create mesmerising patterns across your patio or shrubbery at night. The soft lighting adds a calm glow to an outdoor space and, best of all, there's no need for batteries or an electric point outside.
Insect House - Best Garden Accessories
CJ Wildlife Apex Insect House
National Trust nationaltrust.org.uk
£25.00
Create a haven for insects with this beautiful wooden insect house. Hang no higher than two metres from the ground and watch as buzzing bees and insects alike use the holes to lay their eggs.
Bird Bath - Best Garden Accessories
Round Terracotta Bird Bath, Green
nationaltrust.org.uk
£16.00
Give the birds somewhere safe to drink with this round glazed terracotta bird bath. Simply place in your garden, fill with water and watch as the garden birds come to visit. Make sure you keep it topped up.
Storage Boxes - Best Garden Accessories
Set of 2 Wooden Storage Boxes, £28
gardentrading.co.uk
Neatly hide away any bits and bobs with this set of two wooden storage boxes. Use it to carry cuttings or fresh produce, or to keep your shed organised.
Garden Lanterns - Best Garden Accessories
Summer Lantern Candle Holder, Pink/Blue
John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com
£35.00
This colourful candle lantern is a great addition for summer garden parties.
Garden Lights - Best Garden Accessories
10 Geo Shape Solar String Lights
Smart Solar very.co.uk
£19.99
Brighten up your outdoor space with these stylish solar string lights. Designed to illuminate automatically at dusk, they charge in direct sunlight. We also love that they are waterproof, too.
Outdoor Plant Pots - Best Garden Accessories
Three Oval Trough Planters
Watering Can - Best Garden Accessories
Metal watering can
Keep your outdoor plants hydrated with this stylish metal watering can. With a rounded handle at the top and narrow spout at the front, it's also available in classic silver.
Festoon Lights - Best Garden Accessories
20 Warm White Carnival Plug In Festoon Lights
Brighten up a summer's evening with these on-trend festoon lights. Either hang around a tree, along a fence or on a festoon pole. Ideal for creating an Insta-worthy look.
Outdoor Table - Best Garden Accessories
Ipanema Round 4 Seater Garden Table
Argos Home argos.co.uk
£75.00
Spruce up your patio with Argos Home's playful yellow garden table, perfect for popping drinks on when relaxing outdoors.
Garden Sculpture - Best Garden Accessories
Bluebell Handmade Recycled Metal Garden Sculpture
CHI-AFRICA notonthehighstreet.com
US$22.49
Made from recycled metals, such as car bodies and oil drums, this bluebell garden sculpture will look great nestled amongst grass and flower borders.
Fire Pit - Best Garden Accessories
Industrial Fire Pit In Two Sizes
notonthehighstreet.com
£160.00
Outdoor Games - Best Garden Accessories
Outdoor Wooden Tension Tower Game
Chad Valley argos.co.uk
£24.50
Looking to have some phone-free fun with the family this summer? This beautiful wooden tower game is great for both indoor and outdoor use.
Outdoor Rug - Best Garden Accessories
Catalpa Indoor/Outdoor Palm Leaf Rug
Rugs don't just have to be for inside the home: bring comfort underfoot with this beautiful green outdoor rug. It has been made from polypropylene — a highly durable material that is easy to care for.
Garden Ornament - Best Garden Accessories
Hand Blown Clear Glass Self Watering
Siyaglass amazon.co.uk
£10.99
This hand-blown glass snail offers an attractive way to keep plants watered. It slowly releases water into the soil around your plants as needed, which is great news if you don't have time to water them yourself.
Solar Garden Lights - Best Garden Accessories
Grand patio Garden Solar Lights
Grand patio amazon.co.uk
£54.98
A striking sculpture as well as a useful patio light, recharge the battery for more than eight hours with enough sunshine and it will keep aglow for six to eight hours at night.
Outdoor Drinks Trolley - Best Garden Accessories
Coated Metal Drinks Trolley
THE FOREST & CO notonthehighstreet.com
US$95.00
Serve up chilled beverages in style with this stylish drinks trolley. The wheels make it easy to move across decking, while the metal coating makes it waterproof.
Shed Sign - Best Garden Accessories
Personalised Hanging Metal Garden Shed Sign
DELIGHTFUL LIVING notonthehighstreet.com
£32.00
This personalised hanging metal sign can be printed with bespoke wording, making it the ideal accessory for a garden, shed, allotment or veg patch. The sign comes with either a rope or suede hanger.
Floor Cushions - Best Garden Accessories
Habitat Floor Cushion - Grey
Habitat argos.co.uk
£18.00
Transform your seating area with this cosy floor cushion. Made from 100 per cent cotton, it will give your garden an instant refresh. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
How to Get Rid of Ants Nest in the House
Source: https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/cleaning/a33584237/how-to-get-rid-ants/