Fans of cleaning ace Mrs Hinch are raving about an unusual hack that will keep pesky ants out of your kitchen during the summer months – and it will only set you back £1.50
With the weather perking up, it’s almost inevitable you’ll spot the odd ant making its way into your kitchen.
Whilst they may appear tiny and harmless, ants can actually wreak havoc on your home – gnawing their way through any bits of wood they can get their little hands on and burrowing in your door and window frames. If you ignore the problem, you could also end up with an infestation which can be costly to remove.
Many Brits opt for expensive ant killers to try and get rid of the pests, but these can be filled with chemicals and can be harmful to both pets and children. Luckily, there is a natural solution which won’t break the bank.
Posting on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page, one woman named Judith explained that her neighbour’s kitchen had become infested with ants. “I’ve given her white vinegar but is there anything else she can do?” she asked.
The majority of users raved about using talcum powder – originally designed to help protect babies’ skin from rubbing and chafing – arguing it works ‘better’ than potent ant killers. “Talcum powder – sprinkle it around where the pests are,” one person recommended.
Another agreed, commenting: “Baby talcum powder works a treat.” A third added: “Talcum powder always works.” While a fourth explained: “Baby powder. They hate crossing a white line right around the door and house they don’t come in… I haven’t had any for years in the house but I know my garden is full of them.” You can pick up talcum powder from a slew of supermarkets and online retailers including Sainsbury’s – which is currently selling a 400g bottle for just £1.50, or if you want to stock up, Amazon is selling six packs of Johnson’s Baby Powder for £18.49.
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John Stewart, a member of the technical team at Pelsis also advises sprinkling cinnamon or black pepper along any ‘ant trails and entry’ points – arguing this can ‘disrupt their scent trails and discourage them from entering the home’. “Additionally, spraying vinegar or lemon juice around windows, doorways, and other entry points can act as a barrier against ants,” the pro added.
If you’ve raided your kitchen cupboards to no avail, don’t worry. You can pick up cinnamon from Aldi for just 75p, or a 1kg bag on Amazon for £10.47. Black pepper at Aldi will set you back £1.45, or you could buy a 1kg bag on Amazon for £11.42. White vinegar will cost you 35p at Aldi, but you can buy a 5l bottle online for £7.01. Meanwhile, lemon juice costs 44p at Aldi, or you could buy a 1l pack on Amazon for £3.69.
What’s your tried and tested method of getting rid of ants? Let us know in the comments section below
