Ants are useful forest dwellers that also perform important functions in the garden. If the insects spread throughout the house and apartment, various measures can help. In order to find a lasting solution to the problem, the causes of the colonization must be investigated.
How can I effectively keep ants away?
In order to successfully keep ants away, intensive smells such as garlic oil, lavender, mint, vinegar, cloves, lemon peel, cinnamon or tea tree oil can be used. Also remove food sources and infested components, and check potted plants for ant infestation.
Use intense smells
Ants come into the apartment because they are looking for food. They enter the building through leaky door gaps or cracks in the facade and leave their scent trails, so that an ant trail is created within a short time. Many insulation materials offer insects optimal nesting places because they are reminiscent of their natural habitats. To keep animals away from the house, apply strong-smelling substances.
Ants don't like that:
- Garlic oil or lavender and mint concentrates
- Vinegar, cloves and lemon peel
- Cinnamon and tea tree oil
These substances must be dosed lavishly and renewed frequently because they quickly lose their effectiveness. While isolated ants can be kept away from the house, this measure often does not have the desired effect on heavily frequented ant trails. Consider whether the ants can be controlled gently.
Eliminate food sources
The crawling insects feel comfortable on plants that are infested with aphids or root lice. With their secretions, these provide energy-rich food for the ants, which protect the plant sap suckers from enemies. A community is created, which can occur on houseplants or outdoor plants. To eliminate this problem, you should hose off the lice with an aqueous detergent solution.
Renovate affected components
There are some species that prefer to nest in houses. Once established, the plague is difficult to eliminate. Scent traces tell the insects where good living conditions exist. To solve this problem, more complex measures often have to be taken. This includes replacing insulating materials that contain ant nests.
Checking potted plants
It happens that ants settle in the flower pot. If the pots are placed in winter quarters in the fall, the insects can spread unhindered throughout the house and apartment. To avoid this introduction, you should water the substrate thoroughly. The animals don't like wet soil and flee.
