Ants belong to the Formicidae family and in Australia there are more than 4000 known species.

Some of these species are pest ants that feed off food scraps. They live in and around buildings and especially come out in the rainy seasons around the home.

Unwanted ants can be a nuisance but some DIY home remedies can effectively terminate them in the household.

How do I get rid of ants?

You can control the infestation of these creations by using natural and non-toxic remedies.

Cinnamon

Acting as a natural repellent, the smell of cinnamon can discourage them from entering the home.

All you have to do is soak a cotton ball in 1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon oil. Make sure that the oil is a high concentration.

After, wipe the areas that the ants are entering from, such as doors and windows.

Vinegar

Vinegar can act as a home remedy for getting rid of them but only for a short period of time as the solution evaporates.

The aroma from vinegar masks an ant’s scent trail which prevents it from finding food.

Just fill a spray bottle with an equal amount of vinegar and water. You can also add a few drops of essential oil.

Apply the spray to places that food is kept including the pantry and cupboards.

In an hour’s time, you can wipe up the dead ants using a paper towel.

Lemon

Lemon is another effective remedy as the citrus smell deters ants from that area.

It is recommended to rub lemon juice on doors frames, windows sills and other common areas.

Another option is to put drops of lemon essential oil on cotton balls, similar to the cinnamon remedy.

You can also scatter lemon peels around the hot spots until the ants are gone. This also works with the herb dried peppermint.

Borax

The toxicity of borax will attract ants and once they have ingested the chemical, they will die.

It is recommended to mix borax and liquid jelly together and pour the mixture into milk lids or small open containers. Place them in a spot where the ants are attracted too.

You can also mix borax with granulated sugar in a 1:3 ratio.

Together with water, they create a syrup paste that can then be spread in the infected areas.