Ants are useful forest dwellers that also perform important functions in the garden. If the insects spread in the house and apartment, various measures can help. For a lasting solution to the problem, the causes of the colonization must be explored.
An ant rarely comes alone
Use intense smells
Ants come into the house because they are looking for food. They get into the building through leaking door gaps or cracks in the facade and leave their scent traces, so that an ant trail is created within a short time. Many insulating materials offer the insects optimal nesting places, because they are reminiscent of the natural habitats. To keep the animals away from the house, apply strong-smelling substances.
What Ants Don't Like:
- Garlic oil or lavender and mint concentrates
- Vinegar, cloves and lemon zest
- cinnamon and tea tree oil
These substances must be dosed lavishly and renewed frequently, as they quickly lose their effect. While isolated ants can be kept away from the house, this measure often does not show the desired success in heavily frequented ant streets. Consider whether the ants can be fought gently.
Eliminate food sources
The crawling insects thrive on plants 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 develops, which can occur on houseplants or outdoor plants. To get rid of this problem, you should hose the lice with an aqueous dish soap solution.
Repair affected components
There are some species that prefer to nest indoors. Once established, the plague is difficult to eradicate. Traces of scent tell the insects where good living conditions prevail. In order to solve this problem, more complex measures must often be taken. This includes the replacement of insulating materials in which there are ant nests.
Check potted plants
It happens that ants settle in the flower pot. If the buckets are placed in the winter quarters in autumn, the insects can spread unhindered in the house and apartment. To avoid this introduction, you should water the substrate thoroughly. The animals do not like wet soil and flee.